Seven decades. Yet those seeking to improve are always just starting out
The history of Göpfert Maschinen tells of the search for something better; for quality which provides more.
Göpfert
1950: incorporation
In this year, the young Albin Göpfert passed his master’s certificate. He established a mechanical engineering workshop at his parents’ residence in Marktbreit. Albin Göpfert repaired machines of all kinds, forged railings and produced seats for tractors. And he invested in the extension of the workshop. During this time, a cardboard box factory asked him to modernise their factory equipment. Subsequent to this, Albin Göpfert received his first order for a cutting and slitting machine.
In order to save money, Albin Göpfert invested in a simple, cheap lathe. An initial error. But he turned even this experience into a profit: from now on, quality is his only standard.
1960: New hall in Markbreit
10 years later, Albin Göpfert had made quite a name for himself. Customers came back time and again, and there were more to follow. A new hall on the Mainleite in Marktbreit provided more space.
1969: Karl F. Göpfert joins the company
The young engineering graduate Karl F. Göpfert entered the company, and a new chapter in its success story began. The six employees developed and constructed innovative machines, which were completely different to those of established manufacturers, meaning that customers with individual requirements increasingly came to see them. These customers needed machines which didn’t yet exist, and they got them in a quality and reliability which is still our trademark today. The standard of delivering “More Machine” has been set.
1973: Relocation to Wiesentheid
Increasing success requires more space. This was the reason for the move to Wiesentheid, which is still our site today.
1975: Development of Göpfert SRE Boxmaker
The Göpfert SRE Boxmaker was developed. Small series therefore became more economical to produce than ever before. This was a milestone, and this machine was installed over 450 times over the next 35 years. The designer was Karl F. Göpfert.
1976: New second hall
After only three years at the new site, expansion of the company required more space, and a second hall was built.
1982: foundation of BGM corporation
In this year, the BGM corporation was founded. This was a project by the Bahmüller and Göpfert companies for the sale of inline systems. Karl F. Göpfert developed the Jumbo-Slotter – a machine which paved the way for the new corporation with its success on the market.
1983: New third hall
Once again, success led to further expansion. Hall No. 3 provided the solution.
1985: world´s largest Flexo-Printer-Slotter
Göpfert Maschinen GmbH had now been in existence for 35 years. In summary: the company had reached the top. The delivery of the world’s largest Flexo-Printer-Slotter to Australia with a width of 5.5 metres underlined the demands for unusual machines and improved quality.
1986: An additional new installation hall
This was a particularly innovative year: a new, additional installation hall accelerated production, Inline machines were now being built in the widths 2.4 m, 2.8 m and 3.6 m. The slitter-scorer was developed. By 1994, over 50 dry ends for the corrugator had been delivered, consisting of short rotary shears, a slitter-scorer machine and a dry end control.
1992: Extension of office building
The office building was extended to provide more room for the Administration Department.
1993: Development of the Göpfert Boxmaker SRE Mini
The Göpfert Boxmaker SRE Mini is here! This makes small formats and series in the processing of corrugated cardboard even more economical. Also the development of the fastest creasing and cutting machine for a non-stop job change in corrugator at 280m / min. is a complete success.
1993: Esther Göpfert joins the company
Esther Göpfert, Dipl.-Ing. (FH), her career begins in the family company.
1996: Development of Göpfert Evolution
The first direct-drive rotary die-cutter is developed. Its name was Evolution.
2002: André Göpfert joins the company
André Göpfert entered the family-run company as an engineering graduate (Dipl.-Ing./FH). His responsibilities were focussed on Sales and Product Management.
2003: The first Ovation was delivered
With flexo post print, too, Göpfert were able to set new standards; in this year the first Ovations were delivered.
2005: Esther and André Göpfert become Managing Directors
The siblings Esther and André Göpfert both rose to the position of Managing Director within the company: Esther Göpfert for Personnel and Administration, and André Göpfert for Marketing and Sales in the USA.
2007: Golden Award for Technical Innovation
This was an exceptional year: the new double rotary die-cutter Evolution HBL won the FEFCO Golden Award for Technical Innovation.
2009: More space for growth
The purchase of the adjoining 10,000 m2 neighbouring property ensured more room for growth.
2014 – 2017: expansion
Construction of a further storage hall, expansion of the administration building with state of the art heating technology, additional assembly and storage room of approx. 10.000 m² and completion of the new office building for the sales department. The number of employees increased to 375.
Photo: © Fotografie W. Rößner
2015: Foundation of Göpfert Prefeeder GmbH
Göpfert Prefeeder GmbH is founded and employs 5 employees. Florian Poser, staff member of Göpfert company since then 9 years, became Managing Director.
2017: Bayerns Best 50 (Bavarians Best 50)
Göpfert became awardee of Bayerns Best 50.
2018: Ralf Schiffmann becomes Managing Director Sales
Ralf Schiffmann became Managing Director for the Sales Department.
2019
The acquisition of the neighbouring property made the construction of a further storage and office building (facility II) possible with 10.000 m² space for halls and offers further land for building of 9.000 m².
2020: 70 years Göpfert
Göpfert celebrated 70 anniversary in 2020. The number of employees increases to approx. 400.
2020: Göpfert becomes main shareholder of Corrpal Dücker in Sweden
With the acquisition of 51% of the shares in Dücker Corrpal AB, Göpfert Maschinen GmbH becomes the main shareholder.
2021: Construction of hall 8
The new construction of an additional assembly hall ensures further growth.
2022: Best 50 of Bavaria
For the second time since 2017, the company Göpfert GmbH was awarded the “Bavaria’s Best 50” award.
2022: Dücker Corrpal becomes Corrpal Systems AB
Göpfert Maschinen GmbH takes over 100 % of Dücker Corrpal AB in Ystad/Sweden. CEO becomes
André Göpfert. The specialist for crushers and palletising systems is renamed Corrpal Systems AB, Member of Göpfert Group. Göpfert Maschinen GmbH thus becomes a full-range supplier of corrugated board processing systems.
2022: New construction of Hall 1
Demolition and new construction of Hall 1