TPT September 2012

Industry News

Celebrating 140 years in steel THE Wuppermann Group is celebrating its 140 th anniversary this year. What began for founder Heinrich Theodor Wuppermann in 1872 in a suburb of Düsseldorf, Germany with a single puddling oven and ironworks forge has become an important steel company with locations all over Europe in the course of the last 140 years.

The comprehensive product portfolio of the Wuppermann Group includes surface-coated flat products, tubes, tube components and sheet metal parts made of steel, stainless steel and aluminium, all of which are distinguished by the high quality that comes from the long years of experience, skill and innovative product development that the company relies on. The family enterprise with head office in Leverkusen has grown continuously over the last 140 years and had a particularly successful year in2011.With new locations and plant expansions in France, Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, Wuppermann fortified its presence in the international market. “For 140 years now, our history has been marked by a passion for steel. It is the driving force behind our work and our efforts towards constant further development, and it is contained in every product that leaves our factories,” explained Dr Carl Ludwig Theodor Wuppermann who heads the company in the 5 th family generation, is responsible for finances on the board of management and acts as the spokesman of Wuppermann AG. “We want to continue down the road to success with sustainable growth, constant innovation and the development of new markets.”

Heinrich Theodor Wuppermann laid the cornerstone of the business in 1872 with the purchase of a puddling oven for 6,588 thalers. Seven years later he sold the plant in Düsseldorf and moved the business to what is now Leverkusen, where it remains to this day. The company succeeded in developing further despite the turmoil of two world wars. The founder’s grandson, August Theodor Wuppermann, managed the steel company for 40 years all the way through to the 1960s, always faithful to his maxim: “To solve a problem, you must have many heads and many hands working together.” There was a break in the company’s history in 1983 as a result of the Dr C L Theodor is member of the Board of management of Wuppermann AG

steel crisis in Europe. Because of its continued losses Wuppermann had to sell its rolling mill in Leverkusen. Wuppermann sold the rolling mill on the condition that there would be no job losses at the plant. This meant that it was sold to the one who saw the prospect of continued employment and not just to the highest bidder. After two years, however, the new owners had to close the plant. Ever since this severe crisis was overcome, Wuppermann has experienced continuous growth. Heinrich Theodor Wuppermann founded the company Wuppermann in 1872

Wuppermann AG – Germany Fax: +49 2171 5000 802 Email: info@wuppermann.com Website: www.wuppermann.com

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S eptember 2012