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History of Karl Hess GmbH & Co. KG

2010 - Today

Environment and social aspects are increasingly brought to the fore. Karl Hess GmbH & Co. KG is aware of its responsibility for the human and for the environment and introduces the environmental management system ISO-14001 and the energy management system ISO-50001. The continuously increasing number of staff also demands new concepts. BEM (Betriebliches Wiedereingliederungs-Management - reintegration of personnel with disease and disabilities) is being introduced.

To satisfy the increasing customer demands for additional technologies and shorter delivery ways - even in foreign countries - the owners decide to sell the family-managed company completely to Groupe Plastivaloire. As the German representative of the worldwide operating PVL-Groupe with 28 locations, Hess is nowadays in the position to break new grounds in the plastics technology. In June 2017, Stefan Ginsberg leaves the company Hess. Kersten Klaes, who starts his career at Hess as a project manager in 2002 and takes over the position as head of distribution/sales in 2008, becomes the new general manager.

2000 - 2010

As a basis for expanding the business relationships within the automotive industry, the management system ISO/TS-16949 is introduced. By the nomination as a First Tier supplier by the Volkswagen Group, the plant in Burbach with its 14,000 m² production and storage area reaches its limits. To avoid bottleneck, Karl Hess GmbH + Co. buys the insolvent company Gräb Kunststofftechnik Neunkirchen - during the economic crisis in 2009. Due to a continuous expansion of this second plant, Hess builds additional 13,000m² of production and warehouse facilities.

Even the management structures are adapted. A second management level is introduced.

The third generation takes over responsibility. In the early 1990ies, Stefan Ginsberg and Oliver Hess are becoming general managers. As a Second Tier Supplier the young leadership (the new management team) of Karl Hess GmbH & Co. KG dares to do business with the automotive industry. Success justifies their decision. To meet the challenges of the enormously economic growth, the production and storage facilities have to be enlarged again. Moreover, the management system ISO 9001 is being implemented.

1990 - 2000

The 3rd generation takes over responsibility. Early the 1990ies, Stefan Ginsberg and Oliver Hess are becoming general managers. As 2nd Tier Supplier the young leadership of Karl Hess GmbH & Co. KG dares to do business with the automotive industry. Success justifies their decision. To meet the enormously economic growth, production and storage works need to be enlarged again. Moreover, the management system ISO 9001 is being implemented.

1965 - 1985

1965 sees the creation of Hess' own tooling department. Up to now, injection mould tools have been produced and maintained. With the extension of the delivery programme, new production plants are built in Burbach-Wahlbach by the mid-1980ies.

 

1950 - 1960

In 1950 the company's founder, the electrician Karl Hess, risks to start up his own company. Four years later, he sells the first spin dryers made of plate under the name HEWA/Hess Wahlbach. The growing demand requires the construction of the first production plant. In 1960, Karl Hess builds plastic parts for the company Robert Thomas which launches the first washing drums on the market. This business relationship has lasted until today.