In the heart of the German furniture industry
Hettich’s history is defined by outstanding engineering achievements and bold enterprising decisions. Developing a purpose-built machine, the so-called bending machine, Karl Hettich in 1888 mechanised the production of anchor escapements for Black Forest cuckoo clocks. When August Hettich developed a production line for piano hinges in 1928, he was treading new technical terrain, setting the course for the group’s present activities in the furniture industry.
Taking a tremendous gamble in 1930, Paul, August and Franz Hettich set up a new company in Herford. The move to East Westphalia-Lippe took the Swabian brothers to the heart of the German furniture industry. With time, the products changed. Today we manufacture technology for furniture.
The company group is wholly owned by the Hettich family, and with Dr. Andreas Hettich taking over at the helm in 2007, the company’s management entered its fourth generation.
Hettich timeline
-
1888
Karl Hettich develops an efficient method for producing a component for cuckoo clocks
-
1930
Paul, Franz and August Hettich set up a branch factory in Herford. It produces piano hinges on fully automatic machines developed by the company itself
-
1966
Kirchlengern become company headquarters with 8,000 m² of production floor space
-
1976
Products are exported to over 80 countries across the globe. The first companies abroad are founded in Switzerland, Sweden, France and the USA. Quadro becomes established as a new drawer runner using the ball-bearing principle
-
1980
By the company’s 50th anniversary, the Hettich family has grown to 1,600 members of staff
-
1991
Hettich International is introduced as the umbrella brand. The first folding steel side profile is developed for drawers: ProfiTech
-
1995
Re-organisation into a holding structure with independent companies. InnoTech is developed as the first double-walled drawer system with innovative interior organisers
-
1999
The Kitchen Concept 2010 is born as a model for the future. Launch of the ComfortLine drawer system
-
2000
Turnover exceeds 1 billion deutschmarks
-
2001
New research and development centre in Kirchlengern. Silent System marks the development of an innovative soft-close mechanism for drawers
-
2004
Cornerstone laid for cutting-edge logistics centre at Kirchlengern
-
2005
Company’s 75th anniversary. The Hettich Group is once again entirely family-owned
-
2007
Innovative Hettinject connecting technology for lightweight boards is tested under near-practical conditions at the Lightweight Construction Centre
-
2009
Hettich Forum opens. This is where all facets of the Hettich brand can be experienced first-hand
-
2010
Due for completion by March 2011, an energy-efficient production facility is being constructed at the company’s Kirchlengern/Bünde site that aims to set the benchmark in industrial production
-
2011
The new ArciTech double-walled drawer system was presented at the “Interzum” fair
-
2013
The Hettich Group celebrates its 125th anniversary
Discover how hettich can bring your furniture to life
Hettich create the perfect combination of intelligent technology, functionality and design. Priding ourselves on this, we develop and produce a vast range of fittings – from drawer and runner systems to hinges, decorative handles as well as folding and sliding-door hardware.
