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HERMA - History
Internationalisation and innovation
1976
Heinrich Herrmann retired. His successor, Werner Röhm (centre), was an outside manager and friend of the family. Röhm and Werner Herrmann (right) initially managed HERMA jointly. During its 30 years under Röhm’s leadership, the renowned Stuttgart company grew to become an enterprise with a global reach and unsurpassed expertise in self-adhesive technology.
1976
In the period since 1950, the company’s sales increased almost thirtyfold, from DM 3.2 million to approx. DM 90 million. At the same time its workforce grew from 250 to more than 1,000. The share of exports increased to just under 26 percent, putting the company well above the industry average. Starting in 1971, there had been increased efforts to internationalise the company, leading to the founding of the subsidiary HERMA France. In 1978 separate subsidiaries were established in Austria and Belgium.
1982
Werner Hermann gave up his operative responsibilities. Werner Röhm became sole managing director and established a permanent management group for participation in all major decision making. Already in the late 1970s, HERMA had been transformed into a GmbH & Co. KG (company with limited liability as general partner).
1985-1987
PCs and laser copiers entered the office environment. With its ESC 12/18 labelling machine (photo) HERMA accelerated the processing and printing of data on labels. HERMA Laser-print made it possible to print labels quickly and efficiently.
1989
The building in Deizisau, which had been erected in 1971, was expanded, giving it its present-day appearance.
1991
HERMA UK was established, initially only for machine production. Starting in 2000, adhesives were manufactured here as well.
1992-1994
HERMA set forth binding company mission statements. At that time, this was not even customary in major corporations. In 1994 all lines of business were certified to DIN EN ISO 9001. Environmental management according to DIN EN ISO 14001 was introduced in 2001.
1993
After almost three years of construction HERMA dedicated one of Europe’s most modern bulk warehouses.
1995
HERMA extended its leadership position as an innovator. It was the first manufacturer of adhesive coatings to use UV acrylic adhesives. The company came up with innovative solutions for applying labels to difficult substrates, and it devised labelling methods for extreme conditions, including labelling of hazardous materials, very hot chemical barrels and containers that come into contact with seawater.
1997
HERMA participated in a joint venture in Singapore, thus expanding into South-East Asia, a growth region.
1999
HERMA was the first company in the industry to use a curtain coater. This marked a quantum leap in manufacturing speed and put HERMA on the map as a technology leader.
2001
To ensure continued independent development, HERMA chose the legal form that it has today. Shareholders’ interests were represented in HERMA-Holding GmbH + Co KG, and HERMA GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary, took responsibility for operational activities.
2003
In keeping with long-term planning, Werner Röhm passed his operative responsibilities to his management colleagues after 30 years at the head of the company. In 2005 Manfred Minich (2nd from right), who had already directed the labelling systems and stationery products divisions since 2001, became chairman of the management board. He was joined by his colleagues of many years, authorised officers Sven Schneller (right) and Thomas Thumm (left), along with managing director Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner (2nd from left). Röhm became chairman of the advisory board in early 2004.
The new HERMA 400 labelling machine set international standards. With its integrated control system, it no longer required a large control cabinet. Moreover, the basic unit could be manufactured in large quantities. The modular system made it adaptable to a wide range of customer needs and permitted easy integration with existing equipment. Today it is the world’s most compact labelling machine in this performance class.
2004
HERMA Benelux was founded in the Netherlands. In addition, a new logistics centre with state-of-the-art technology was opened in Filderstadt. In the past, 1,000 packages had been dispatched each day, and now it became possible to send 1,200 packages per hour. Goods could be made ready for dispatch within 15 minutes of the receipt of an order.
2005
HERMA broke new ground with the Commerce Connector. Customers were now able to shop via the HERMA Web site, which connected them to retailers. This underlined the company’s leading role in e-commerce in the stationary and office supply sector.
