As is true of many family-run enterprises, the history of Groz-Beckert is inseparable from that of its founders. It was their inventive spirit and entrepreneurial courage that formed the basis for the company's success up to the present day.
1852 The two companies "Theodor Groz & Söhne" of Ebingen, and "Ernst Beckert" of Chemnitz are founded. From these modest beginnings, the foundation stone of today's international enterprise is formed.
1937 Merger of Germany's two biggest needle manufacturers, trading under the name "Theodor Groz & Söhne & Ernst Beckert, Nadelfabriken Commandit-Gesellschaft, Ebingen und Chemnitz". In practice, the new firm comes to be generally known simply as Groz-Beckert.
1952 The company celebrates its 100-year anniversary.
1958 First production plant abroad in Laconia/USA.
1960-1998 Groz-Beckert goes on to consolidate and extends its leading position in the world market. The International Groz-Beckert Group is present in every continent through an active network of subsidiaries and agencies.
1980 Expansion of the product spectrum. From now on, the Groz-Beckert range includes: knitting machine needles, sewing and shoe machine needles as well as felting and structuring needles.
1996 The company commences trading under the new name Groz-Beckert KG.
1997 As a new high-tech-product Groz-Beckert offers so-called "Ceramic Punching Components" (CPC) within the range of hard metal precision parts.
1998 Groz-Beckert takes over the Tufting Needle Division of Josef Zimmermann GmbH & Co. KG (Aachen) and continues production under the "EISBÄR" (Polar Bear) brand.
2000 The acquisition of Grob Horgen AG was completed in January 2000. Grob Horgen is the world's leading manufacturer of weaving accessories.
2001 The expansion and strengthening of Division W took place on 31.12.2001 with the takeover of Schmeing GmbH & Co., Raesfeld. The Raesfeld and Weseke sites are primarily engaged in the production and sale of weaving machine parts.
2002 On June 6, 7 and 8. 2002 the 150th anniversary of the company was celebrated. In three big and memorable events having "Staccato - the rhythm of the needles" as a motto. Groz-Beckert expressed their appreciation to their customers, employees and partners.
2006 Groz-Beckert KG, Albstadt takes over the company SMC, Siegfried Mayer GmbH & Co. KG, Heiningen as from October 10, 2006.
By this take-over the Groz-Beckert Group gains a company, which complements the existing production program with its cylinder and dial production. This will support the Group on the way to a manufacturer of entire systems for the textile industry.
2008 Grob Textile AG.
As of January 1, 2008 Grob will trade by this new name. In addition, the company that is part of the Groz-Beckert Group will move its headquarters from Horgen to Lachen, Canton of Schwyz.
With effect from January 2008, Groz-Beckert took over Oskar Fischer GmbH based in Rottenburg and Knotex Machinenbau GmbH based in Augsburg. Both companies are active in the field of tying machines and drawing-in systems for the weaving industry. By acquiring these companies, the Group has extended its existing production range in the weaving machine component sector.
