100 years of the Hehl family company
Exactly 100 years ago, in 1923, Arthur Hehl lays the foundation stone for the company that later develops into one of the leading machine manufacturers for plastics processing.
Journey into the past
Our history film takes you back to the beginnings of the Hehl family company and shows how, 100 years ago, foresight and an entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for an internationally successful company.
ARBURG history film
How our success story began
The start of our family business
Arthur Hehl is a trained precision mechanic and initially becomes a self-employed businessman. He builds a house in Lossburg for his small family. His first products are surgical instruments, which he distributes well beyond the region. Later, consumer goods are also manufactured from metal, such as potato baskets or furniture fittings.
The flash of genius
In 1954, Karl Hehl developed the first small injection molding machine for in-house use in order to overmold the plug contacts of the flash units. Just two years later, the "Maschinle" goes into series production. The brothers Eugen Hehl and Karl Hehl continue to drive the success forward.
ALLROUNDER principle
In 1959, the ALLROUNDER principle is developed. Just a few years later, the first ALLROUNDER 200 S is delivered. It offers eight possible working positions and is the first two-colour machine available as standard. To this day, our ALLROUNDERS are still being constantly developed.
ARBURG worldwide
The ARBURG factory site is put into operation in 1957. From Lossburg, the company also ventures out into the world: in 1985, the first branch office is founded in France. Today, Arburg has its own organizations at 35 locations in 25 different countries and, together with its trading partners, is represented in more than 100 countries.
The ARBURG brand
1943/44 Karl Hehl invents the company name. He combined the first syllable of his father Arthur Hehl’s first name (AR) with the last syllable of the town name of Lossburg (BURG). The lettering with the distinctive typography still characterizes ARBURG today.
ARBURG family
By 1978, ARBURG already employed more than 500 people. Then as now, the shareholders attach great importance to a strong community and a positive corporate culture. Today, 3,600 employees worldwide belong to the ARBURG family and are part of the 100-year success story.
3D printing
In 2013, the freeformer and the ARBURG plastic freeformer (AKF) celebrate their world premiere at the world's leading trade fair "K2013". The industrial 3 D printer opens up completely new possibilities in additive manufacturing: it processes standard plastic granulates into functional components without tools.
Digitalization
Looking back at the 100-year history of our company makes it clear that ARBURG was also a pioneer in the field of digitalization. As early as 1986, ARBURG enabled fully automated injection molding production and production optimization with a host computer system. Today, the "arburgXworld" program comprises all digital products and services and is also the name of the customer portal.
Sustainability
Sustainability has always been an important topic for ARBURG. Our "arburgGREENworld" program bundles activities in the area of circular economy and resource conservation. Our aim is to continuously increase the production efficiency of plastics processing, to sustainably reduce the carbon footprint and to promote the use of recycled materials and bioplastics.
A special anniversary
When a company celebrates its 100th birthday, it is never the achievement of one person, but of many. All those who have accompanied the path of our family business over the last 100 years – employees, customers and partners – have made our company what it is today. And we celebrate that all over the world.
“100 years of the Hehl family company is a very special success story. Although technology has been a key factor, people and the region have also played a particularly important role.”
Michael Hehl, Managing Partner & Managing Director, Plant Development, Spokesperson for the Management Team
“Our family company's centenary is an opportunity to reconcile the past and the future – in other words, to take pleasure in our successful past while also embracing the chances to position our company for the future.”
Juliane Hehl, Managing Partner, Marketing and Business Development
“The anniversary is an opportunity to pause and review the past 100 years, which were shaped as much by difficult times as by bold decisions and innovative developments”
Renate Keinath, Managing Partner responsible for Human Resources Management
Anniversary book: A captivating journey through history
"History of the Hehl Family Business" is divided into ten chapters and tells the fascinating story from the humble beginnings to our success today. You will learn more about how the company has developed over the last 100 years. But it is not only a story about us, but also about the region in which we are rooted and the contemporary events that have shaped us.
Interview on the occasion of our anniversary with our Managing Partners
As part of our anniversary, we also give you an insight into the thoughts and experiences of our partners. In interviews, they talk about their personal memories, the development of the company and their visions for the future. Read the full interview here.
Our "present" to you!
For our anniversary, we have a very special "present" for you: our new hybrid ALLROUNDER 470 H. This anniversary machine is a real highlight and is convincing across the board: it is energy-saving, resource-saving, production-efficient, user-friendly and reliable all at the same time!
A look at the highlights of our company history
Experience the exciting history of our family business in a short but impressive timeline. Immerse yourself in the important events and milestones that have shaped the path of our company.
Anniversary events in Lossburg
In February 2023, we celebrated the first three events for "100 years of the Hehl family business" with 1,200 guests from 32 nations. Whether from Lossburg, the USA, China or many other countries – all guests were equally enthusiastic about the fantastic event program. It was an unforgettable moment when people from different parts of the world came together to celebrate ARBURG's success story. The event not only offered guests the opportunity to experience the unique family and innovative spirit that characterizes ARBURG. The anniversary events in Lossburg will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight in ARBURG's history.
Impressions anniversary events Lossburg
News about our anniversary
New history film
Our history film takes you back to the beginnings of the Hehl family company and shows how, 100 years ago, foresight and an entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for an internationally successful company.
ARBURG Partner Summit
To mark its anniversary, ARBURG hosted a "Partner Summit" in Lossburg. With this anniversary event, ARBURG expressed its special thanks to its long-standing technology partners and suppliers.
Anniversary machine
World premiere: The hybrid ALLROUNDER 470 H sets the stage for a new machine technology at the first anniversary event "100 years of the Hehl family business".
Anniversary events in Lossburg
In February 2023, ARBURG celebrated the first three events it its "100 years of the Hehl family company" celebrations. Regional guests, German and international customers were invited to the event in Lossburg.
Anniversary Days
5,700 customers came to the ARBURG Anniversary Days in Lossburg in March 2023. On the occasion of the anniversary, there was also a special event location to visit. where visitors could embark on a multimedia journey through the 100-year history of the Hehl family company.