Chronicle
1926
Jakob Keller and Georg Hommel assume the insolvent company, Messwerkzeugfabrik Aldingen GmbH, and found the Hommel + Keller KG. About 20 - 30 former employees as well as the trade mark zeus® are taken over.
Core business is the production of measuring instruments. The knurling tools which are necessary for the corresponding manufacturing processes are produced in-house.
1929 - 1937
The factory building is reconstructed and within the following years the premises are enlarged by one new and another already existing outbuilding. The production area doubles its size. The number of employees increases to 150.
1939 - 1944
During World War II the company gets into troubles: The nation-wide conscriptions reduce the human resources to a minimum. The weekly working time is raised to 60 hours. The shortage of electricity leads to round-the-clock shift working. At least 10 employees do not return from war.
1945
Aldingen is garrisoned by the French Army. With permission of the French military government, production can be resumed. The two sons, Werner and Rudolf Keller, of the managing director at that time, Jakob Keller, join the company. The production is heavily handicapped by the impacts of World War II. Raw materials are extremely short. The black market and influential relations dominate the situation at that time.
At December 1st, 1945 the limited partner Ruth Schlenker becomes general partner. Her husband, Johannes Schlenker, is appointed to the managing director.
1946
In 1946 the dismounting of factory equipments within the French zone of occupation starts. Only by intensive negotiations Hommel und Keller manages to prevent the ordered complete dismounting and blasting. The factory persists. The equipment, however, has to be financially balanced. The compensation payments cause Hommel + Keller serious liquidity problems. The loss of machines and equipment is still hindering the production.
1949
On December 31st, 1948 co-founder Georg Hommel retired from the company. The management is now entirely in the hands of Jakob Keller and Johannes Schlenker.
1950
Hommel & Keller exhibits on the start-up Industry and Export Trade Fair in Hannover for the first time. Orders from former customers encourage the business.
1954
The patent office in Munich officially patents a zeus® tool.
1955 - 1960
The production area is extended once more. Hommel + Keller acquires the property of Uhlandstrasse 8. The existing building is enlarged by 2 floors. The number of employees goes up to 150.
1960 - 1962
The global market opens up. Competitors from Japan, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary flood the market with micrometers and sliding callipers at dumping prices. An intolerable price decline was the consequence. The production of micrometers and sliding callipers is therefore ceased. Step by step all standard measuring instruments were phased out. The number of employees drops to 50.
1963
The H+K Härte- und Oberflächentechnik is launched: Born from necessity a new business division develops. With two small annealing oven, which are used for the production of knurling tools, Hommel + Keller starts with subcontracting work. At the same time the knurling tool range is amplified. Cut knurling tools complement the existing product portfolio of form knurling tools and knurling wheels. The production of knurling wheels is transferred to rolling machines and this way partially automated. The marketing policy attached great importance to an active customer service with intensive consulting benefits.
1968
Jakob Keller resigns his positions as managing director and associate. Mr. Werner Keller takes his place.
1972
Rudolf Keller assumes the commercial management. The building, situated at Uhlandstrasse 4a, is destroyed by fire.
1974
In 1974 the disaster re-occurred. The heat-treating department as well as the knurling production are affected by another fire. For the short term the knurling production is displaced in the inspection bay at Uhlandstr. 9. The property Brunnenstrasse 34, situated within the industrial zone "Kolbenhalde", is purchased. By the end of the year the production is started.
1976
The company celebrates its 60th anniversary.
1977
The company´s co-founder, Jakob Keller, dies at the age of 82 years.
1978
Rudolf Keller is appointed to authorized signatory.
1979
The first EDP system is put on stream.
1980
In 1980 the dormant partner, Natalie Beck, dies. Her niece, Mrs. Elsbeth Leiber, née Schlenker, becomes associate.
1984
After the death of Johannes Schlenker, the company gets a new legal form. General partner of Hommel + Keller GmbH & Co. KG is the new Schlenker, Keller & Co. KG. Werner and Rudolf Keller are nominated as managing directors.
1986
The first processing centre goes on stream.
1987
The heat treating department at Brunnenstrasse is enlarged by a new outbuilding.
1988
The first vacuum system goes on line.
1993
Peter Keller, son of the managing director, Rudolf Keller, joins the company as sales manager. Werner Keller retires as managing director by the end of the year.
1995
The service portfolio of the heat-treating department is amplified: A browning plant and a second vacuum system are put on stream. Ruth Schlenker becomes limited partner, Peter Keller is appointed as limited partner and managing director.
1997
The company is divided: The Hommel + Keller GmbH & Co. KG is holding and management company. The recently founded Hommel + Keller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH produces and distributes the zeus® knurling tools. The likewise newly founded H+K Härte- und Oberflächentechnik GmbH assumes the business division of heat treatment.
1997
Sigmund Grimm joins the company as assistant to the general management and is given procuration by the end of the year.
1998
The heat treating department extends its production area once more by another outbuilding. The division vacuum hardening is booming and results in the investment in the fourth vacuum system.
2001
The business division measuring instruments is sold. The company now concentrates on the production of knurling tools and knurling wheels.
2003
The H+K Härte- und Oberflächentechnik GmbH puts its seventh vacuum system on stream.
2004
The H+K Surface Technology GmbH is founded. The service portfolio of this company offers PVD-coatings for tool and mould construction. The leasing of the neighbouring factory building of a forwarding agency is considered and negotiated; the building will later be purchased.
2005
Sigmund Grimm becomes associate and is appointed to the managing director of all three companies. By the end of the year Rudolf Keller retires as associate. In March 2005 the construction works for the new headquarters start with the official ground-breaking ceremony. Already in summer 2005 the production can be transferred to the new premises. In autumn the whole staff succeeds and moves into the administrative building of the Hommel + Keller Unternehmensgruppe.
