EuroWire September 2017

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September 2017 38
INNOVATIVE know-how, state-of-the-art
research and development, the highest
level of precision and reliability – that is
what Troester stands for. The family-run
company celebrates its 125th anniversary
this year.
The extrusion specialist from
Hanover-Wülfel, Germany, manufactures
precision machines and complex units for
repeated extrusion of tyre components,
the manufacture of high-grade rubber
goods or medium to extra high-voltage
cables – always at the highest level. “We
proudly look back at our long history,” said
managing partner Dr Peter Schmidt.
“But we also look forward. Together with
our partners and clients, we look forward
to continuing Troester’s success story over
the upcoming years and to facing the
challenges in an ever-changing economy.”
Troester has a long history in mechanical
engineering. Engineer Paul Troester
spontaneously founded his own company
on 4 th July 1892, after his colleagues of
EisenwerkWülfel dismissed his ideas.
Toward the end of the 19th century, the
region around Hanover had developed
into a hub for the rubber-processing
industry. The background was the
increasing demand for rubber products
and rubber tyres for the burgeoning
automobile industry. Paul Troester wanted
to manufacture the required machines
on site, instead of importing them from
abroad, which was quite cumbersome. The
idea to found the Troester plant was born.
Clients around the world appreciate
solutions from a single source. 125
years later, the company has long since
developed into one of the market
leaders for technical rubber sheets, tyre
components, profile and hose systems plus
cable machines and cable systems. Export
plays a major role: Troester yields 90 per
cent of its revenue abroad.
Last year, the Troester group generated
sales of over €120m and has over 600
employees at its main plant in Germany
and the subsidiaries and representative
offices in the USA, China, Switzerland and
Russia.
In 2011, the Troester Group was joined by
Swiss company X-Compound, a specialist
for plastics-processing and a manufacturer
of continual kneaders.
Today, the big names in the tyre and
rubber industry as well as major cable
manufacturers are among the extrusion
specialist’s clients.
Before the First World War broke out,
Troester had established itself as a
manufacturer of special machines for the
rubber-processing industry. The company
was economically well positioned;
however, it was faced with new challenges
during the war and post-war turmoil. The
good times returned in 1924, with Carl
Bredemeyer, who took the destiny of the
company into his hands.
As part of the Buna programme, Troester
experienced an economic high point in
the 1930s. The company profited from
the development of synthetic rubber
and thermoplastics. The equipment
manufacturer conquered new business
sectors, for instance with extruders for PVC
processing.
Yet the Second World War brought
difficult times. By 1945, the plant in Wülfel
had virtually been completely destroyed
by two air strikes. However, currency
reform, the lifting of seizure by British
military authorities and the Marshall
Plan ensured that relations were soon
normalised.
The reconstruction of the destroyed
facilities began, and Troester presented
itself to the public for the first time in 1947,
on order of the British-organised ‘Export
Trade Fair Hannover’, the predecessor of
what later became the ‘Hannover Fair’.
Over the years, the company has
developed from a classic equipment
manufacturer to a system provider,
accountable for comprehensive
electronics, controlling and automation
of state-of-the-art units, in addition to
manufacturing. Among other things, the
company is based on in-depth research
and development work, which has always
been a top priority at Troester.
The company spends about two per
cent of its revenue on these areas. Key
competencies and special know-how stay
in the company.
“Courage and tireless commitment are
characteristics that have shaped Troester
since its founding,” added Dr Schmidt, who
took over managing the company from his
father in 2003. “The workers and staff feel
like they are part of a family.”
On average, each employee has been in
the company for about 16 years, while
many are celebrating their 25th and even
40th anniversaries.
The company is committed to its location
in Germany. As part of restructuring and
optimisation of production conditions
at the Wülfel plant, a new production
hall with a surface area of 3,200m2 was
constructed in 2016.
A second construction phase with several
buildings follows this year, which will
expand the factory premises in Hanover to
over 25,000m 2 – about 15,300m2 of which
is production space – thereby positioning
Troester’s capacities and plant logistics for
the future. New investments are already
in planning to equip the company for the
challenges of digitisation and Industry 4.0.
Troester GmbH & Co KG – Germany
Website :
125 years of excellence in extrusion
▲ ▲ Troester’s headquarters have been in Hanover-Wülfel since 1892
▲ ▲ The continuous kneaders from X-Compound have
a wide range of applications – including gentle
processing of cable compounds