Tradition and Innovation

ZOLLERN was founded in 1708 by Prince Meinrad II of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, which makes it the oldest family-owned company in the state of Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Today the company is owned by the eleventh generation of the Hohenzollern family. The original plant has advanced to become a state-of-the-art metal processing group with strong roots and expertise.

1700
1708
Foundation of the Fürstliche Hohenzollernsche Hüttenwerke by Prince Meinrad II of Hohenzollern in Laucherthal (where today's group is headquartered)
1800
1890
Bronze foundry goes into production
1900
1935
Beginning of plain bearing production
1950
Beginning of Investment casting production
1971
Beginning of rods and bars production
1972
Beginning of gearbox production
1976
Herbertingen plant begins production
1978
Beginning of special profile production
1984
First automation technology projects
1989
Dr. Adolf Merckle joins the group as an additional shareholding partner. The group now operates under the name Fürstlich Hohenzollernsche Werke Laucherthal GmbH & Co.
1991
Construction and start-up of investment casting plant in Portugal
1996
Takeover of BHW Braunschweiger Hüttenwerk GmbH, with its three plants in Germany and Brazil (plain bearings)
1997
Construction and start-up of the Chinese works in Tianjin under the name ZOLLERN Speed Reducer Company Ltd. (gearboxes)
1999
Takeover of Friedrich Blickle & Co. GmbH (cutting metalworking)

Takeover of Dorstener Maschinenfabrik AG (gearboxes)
2000
2003
Takeover of ZOLLERN Tlc. in Les Mureaux near Paris (plain bearings)
2003
Takeover of GMH Gleitlagerfabrik und Metallgießerei GmbH (plain bearings)
2004
Following the group's globalisation strategy, all the companies now operate under the ZOLLERN brand name.
2006
Takeover of Thyssen-Krupp Aluminiumfeinguss Soest GmbH & Co. KG (aluminium investment casting)
2007
ZOLLERN invests more than 100 million euros in new processes and technologies to increase its competitiveness.
2008
ZOLLERN breaks through the sales barrier of 500 million euros.
2014
ZOLLERN opens a subsidiary in India
2015
ZOLLERN extends the Drive technology business unit with the rotary table manufacturer 'Rückle'

ZOLLERN acquires 100% of Treibacher Auermet d.o.o. in Ravne, Slovenia
2019
ZOLLERN and Miba start their plain bearing joint venture
2021
Concentration on the core areas and sale of piston rod and shaft production
2024
Commissioning of one of the largest photovoltaic systems in southern Germany