From workshop to world market leader

{ "events": [ { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1933", "display_date": "1933" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1933", "display_date": "1933" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/6/csm_duerr-1933-familie-duerr_93d79f51f2.jpg", "caption": "Otto and Betty Dürr, together with their sons Reinhold (left, * 1936, † 2003) and Heinz (* 1933)", "alt": "Duerr family 1933", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/6/csm_duerr-1933-familie-duerr_704fb6e4fc.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "The third generation grows up", "text": "Heinz Dürr is born on July 16, 1933. Three years later, on April 25, 1936, his younger brother Reinhold comes into the world. Heinz Dürr soon grows into taking responsibility for his father’s company. Under his direction, many strategic priorities are set, forming the basis for the continued success of the company." }, "unique_id": 116 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1936", "display_date": "1936" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1936", "display_date": "1936" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/9/csm_duerr-1936-zweigbetrieb-stuttgart_6ad51020b9.jpg", "caption": "The branch in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen", "alt": "Duerr subsidiary Stuttgart 1336", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/9/csm_duerr-1936-zweigbetrieb-stuttgart_a7c4ec6cb3.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Establishing a branch", "text": "The economic policy of the National Socialists focuses on self-reliance and rearmament. This initially leads to a noticeable upswing for German industry. It is not long before Dürr’s order books also look healthy again. There is no longer sufficient capacity in Cannstatt. In search of new premises, Otto Dürr finds what he needs in the Stuttgart district of Zuffenhausen. While the newly acquired premises are used to establish a modern production site, the main plant in Cannstatt becomes a workshop for apprentices, since the company is training more and more new recruits." }, "unique_id": 117 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1937", "display_date": "1937" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1937", "display_date": "1937" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_duerr-1937-blechstaender_2f03826996.jpg", "caption": "Insight into the production space", "alt": "Duerr sheet metal stand 1937", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_duerr-1937-blechstaender_e298f79508.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "The first drawing board", "text": "As the company continues to grow, the first engineer joins the team and the first drawing board is being purchased. This heralds the beginning of the engineering era at Dürr. A design office is established, now enabling more complex sheet metal products to be manufactured." }, "unique_id": 118 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1939", "display_date": "1939" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1945", "display_date": "1945" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/6/8/csm_duerr-1939-nsu-kettenrad_ad2845720c.jpg", "caption": "Dürr becomes part of the Nazi arms industry and delivers sheet metal parts for military vehicles.", "alt": "NSU chain wheel vehicle 1939", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/6/8/csm_duerr-1939-nsu-kettenrad_091c68e0d0.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "The Second World War", "text": "The invasion of Poland by the German army on September 1, 1939, triggers the Second World War. Dürr and its roughly 80 employees become part of the Nazi arms industry and deliver, among other things, sheet metal parts for military vehicles. During the course of the war, forced laborers are used in production. At times, these laborers make up more than half of the workforce. In 1943 the main plant in Cannstatt is completely destroyed during an air raid. Dürr subsequently moves all its activities into the Zuffenhausen premises, which only sustains minor damage during the war.
\r\n
\r\nDuring their research for the book “From the Workshop to the World Stage – 125 years of Dürr”, historians reevaluated the company’s history during the Nazi era. One chapter provides a detailed account of the results." }, "unique_id": 119 } ] }

{ "events": [ { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1950", "display_date": "1950" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1950", "display_date": "1950" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/8/csm_duerr-1950-erste-duerr-anlage_1429288d41.jpg", "caption": "Pioneering development: the first plant for surface treatment.", "alt": "Duerr first machine 1950", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/8/csm_duerr-1950-erste-duerr-anlage_535d05c2a5.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "The first Dürr plant", "text": "The Dürr company completes its first self-built surface treatment plant: a phosphating plant for disk wheels. The plant proves so successful that it has a patent filed and earns Dürr its first laurels in surface technology. It does not take long before more projects are awarded. Orders are received from Bosch and Daimler-Benz, whose trust has already been won during years of cooperation in the field of sheet metal processing." }, "unique_id": 120 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1955", "display_date": "1955" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1955", "display_date": "1955" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/a/csm_duerr-1955-neue-werkshalle_04aaf7de14.jpg", "caption": "The company grows with its success.", "alt": "Duerr new factory building 1955", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/a/csm_duerr-1955-neue-werkshalle_80851bc7f2.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "More space to grow", "text": "Since, in recent years, the number of employees and the order volume have seen strong growth and the company has been expanded to include an additional department, by the mid-1950s it is almost impossible for the existing premises to accommodate these activities. A further property is acquired to enlarge the premises. This is to house two production shops." }, "unique_id": 121 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1957", "display_date": "1957" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1957", "display_date": "1957" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/3/f/csm_duerr-1957-bugatti_7971699b16.jpg", "caption": "The young Heinz Dürr in front of his first car.", "alt": "Heinz Duerr with a Bugatti ", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/3/f/csm_duerr-1957-bugatti_2fbca05a19.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Heinz Dürr", "text": "Heinz Dürr joins the family business, which has managed to increase its sales in the last seven years from just under one to over four million Deutsche Mark. “I wanted to make the company big. We had good products and I was proud of these products. I wanted to go out into the world and was convinced that the world needed and wanted our machines”, recalls the company founder’s grandson years later. " }, "unique_id": 122 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1958", "display_date": "1958" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1958", "display_date": "1958" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/0/csm_duerr-1958-kurbelwellen-waschautomat_6d4b773ed3.jpg", "caption": "A crankshaft washing device.", "alt": "Duerr crankshaft washer 1958", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/0/csm_duerr-1958-kurbelwellen-waschautomat_37202920c9.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "A clean solution", "text": "Dürr enters the industrial cleaning technology business by building a machine for cleaning crankcases and cylinder blocks. Most systems are tailor-made for individual customers. The only products which are standardized, and thus manufactured on a larger scale, are certain small washing devices. But Dürr’s primary focus on individual customer requests becomes the plant engineering firm’s major strength." }, "unique_id": 123 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1960", "display_date": "1960" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1960", "display_date": "1960" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/9/d/csm_duerr-1960-otto-duerr-heinz-duerr_61843dbccc.jpg", "caption": "Otto and Heinz Dürr", "alt": "Otto and Heinz Duerr 1960", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/9/d/csm_duerr-1960-otto-duerr-heinz-duerr_eab96b016c.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Father-and-son team at the top", "text": "Heinz Dürr joins the company management. He is particularly involved in plant engineering and quickly becomes the department’s entrepreneurial figure. Since the first car-body pretreatment plant was installed two years earlier, Heinz Dürr’s main goal is to intensify contact with the automotive industry." }, "unique_id": 124 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1962", "display_date": "1962" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1962", "display_date": "1962" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/8/c/csm_duerr-1962-ford-umbau_1f5349dc44.jpg", "caption": "The Dürr team at Ford in Cologne.", "alt": "Duerr Ford reconstruction 1962", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/8/c/csm_duerr-1962-ford-umbau_02f0b5c554.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Nothing is impossible", "text": "Dürr first makes a name for itself with the automotive industry mainly through upgrading existing plants. In 1962 the company lands a revamp project for Ford in Cologne – a memorable contract. Modernizing the paint shop within just three weeks is thought to be impossible by the competition, and Dürr's decision to take on the project is derided. However, by mobilizing all available resources – from Heinz Dürr to the youngest apprentice – the project is indeed completed as specified and on schedule." }, "unique_id": 125 } ] }

{ "events": [ { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1963", "display_date": "1963" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1963", "display_date": "1963" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_duerr-1963-tauchlackierung_a4d118a538.jpg", "caption": "Electrophoretic dip painting is Dürr’s ticket to international business success with paint shops for the automotive industry.", "alt": "Duerr dip painting 1963", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_duerr-1963-tauchlackierung_a55bae472a.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Electrifying new development", "text": "In compliance with utmost secrecy – only authorized persons have access to the test halls – Heinz Dürr and his engineers develop the first pilot plants for a new coating process. Paint companies and customers from the automotive industry participate in the tests. Within a few months, the development team brings the electrophoretic dip coating to market maturity. When the next Ford investment – the construction of a paint shop in Genk, Belgium – is made, this innovation of Dürr is very successful." }, "unique_id": 126 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1964", "display_date": "1964" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1964", "display_date": "1964" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/a/5/csm_duerr-1964-werk-brasilien_c2fd753950.jpg", "caption": "The establishment of the first foreign subsidiary in Brazil sent out an important signal.", "alt": "Duerr plant Brazil 1964", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/a/5/csm_duerr-1964-werk-brasilien_c7459597f7.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Taking customer orientation literally", "text": "When VW plans to expand its plant in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, the car manufacturer chooses Dürr as the supplier for the new painting line. The Stuttgart-based plant manufacturer had already proven successful at VW in Germany and therefore was favorably supported by the Wolfsburg company when the major contract in Brazil was awarded. In order to be as close as possible to the customer during order processing, Otto and Heinz Dürr decide to set up their own company in Brazil. As a result, the first foreign subsidiary is founded on December 11, 1964. The company thus sends out a clear signal: It is not only willing, but also able to expand internationally. When the Brazilian subsidiary celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2014, Heinz Dürr emphasizes this fact by saying: “Today, Dürr is to be found everywhere in the world where cars are built. The model for this was Dürr do Brasil. The move to Brazil has proven to our customers that Dürr is capable of working effectively on an international level. And it has shown that we can handle major projects such as the construction of the paint shop for VW in São Bernardo do Campo back then. Without the model of Dürr do Brasil, the subsequent establishments, for example in Mexico in 1966 and South Africa in 1971, would not have happened.”" }, "unique_id": 127 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1966", "display_date": "1966" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1975", "display_date": "1976" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/b/csm_duerr-1966-werk-usa_5240bdbfd3.jpg", "caption": "The company building in the US at that time.", "alt": "Duerr plant USA 1966", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/0/b/csm_duerr-1966-werk-usa_e79526e724.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "From Stuttgart into the world", "text": "Initially, Dürr follows in the wake of German car manufacturers that set up factories abroad. Further subsidiaries are founded in Mexico, the US, Great Britain and South Africa. After initially receiving orders from regular German customers, Dürr’s foreign subsidiaries quickly open up markets locally. Soon, Dürr has a good reputation not only with Volkswagen, Mercedes and co., but emerging automotive manufacturing nations such as South Korea also rely on the company. Within a decade, Dürr is represented both by its own companies and by cooperation partners in all important automotive markets in Europe, America, Asia and Africa." }, "unique_id": 128 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1967", "display_date": "1967" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1967", "display_date": "1967" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/2/5/csm_duerr-1967-erste-duerr-zeitung_d8c724e69f.jpg", "caption": "The first issue of the Dürr newspaper.", "alt": "first Duerr newspaper 1967", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/2/5/csm_duerr-1967-erste-duerr-zeitung_0d985b1ecf.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Strengthening the corporate culture", "text": "Over the past few years, the rather small family business has grown into a complex and constantly expanding group of companies with more than 1,500 employees. Yet, with their Swabian down-to-earth attitude, Heinz and Heide Dürr still continue to maintain the family atmosphere and place great importance on the corporate culture. Among other things, they launch an employee newspaper, the first issue of which appears in December 1967. The Dürr newspaper covers company events of all sorts and fosters the feeling of belonging. " }, "unique_id": 129 }, { "start_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1969", "display_date": "1969" }, "end_date": { "month": "01", "day": "01", "year": "1969", "display_date": "1969" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/6/c/csm_duerr-1969-otto-duerr-heinz-duerr_345b943775.jpg", "caption": "Otto Dürr (left) retires from management in 1969.", "alt": "Otto and Heinz Duerr 1969", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/6/c/csm_duerr-1969-otto-duerr-heinz-duerr_9d898b586c.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "New generation takes over", "text": "After having steered the course of his own family business for more than three decades, Otto Dürr retires from management on the occasion of his 65th birthday. From that time, his son Heinz takes over sole responsibility for the group of companies, which continues to grow." }, "unique_id": 130 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1972", "display_date": "1973" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1972", "display_date": "1973" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/3/d/csm_duerr-1973-vertak-tauchversuche_13814b5871.jpg", "caption": "The VERTAK test facility in the backyard of the Stuttgart premises.", "alt": "Duerr vertical dip painting 1973", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/3/d/csm_duerr-1973-vertak-tauchversuche_be5511a899.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Car bodies take a vertical plunge", "text": "Technological innovations play an important role at Dürr. The company constantly searches for new solutions, but not every idea prevails on the market. A spectacular but ultimately not very successful new development is the so-called VERTAK process (vertical dipping of car bodies). The system, in which car bodies are immersed headfirst into the treatment baths, is installed for the first time at a customer’s site in 1973. In the years that follow, however, only a few customers are interested in this method, since the cycle times are too long." }, "unique_id": 131 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1979", "display_date": "1980" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1979", "display_date": "1980" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/5/csm_duerr-1980-heinz-duerr_fe348e3f3e.jpg", "caption": "On behalf of the company AEG: Heinz Dürr on his bicycle in the center of Beijing.", "alt": "Heinz Duerr 1980", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/5/csm_duerr-1980-heinz-duerr_3e8e2008d0.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Heinz Dürr breaks new ground", "text": "Heinz Dürr hands over the management of the company to non-family members and devotes himself to new entrepreneurial tasks. He restructures the struggling electrical company AEG, temporarily sits on the board of Daimler, becomes head of the German Federal Railway after the reunification and takes over the chairmanship of various supervisory boards and foundations. However, he maintains close ties to “his” company, Dürr." }, "unique_id": 132 } ] }

{ "events": [ { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1988", "display_date": "1989" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1989", "display_date": "1990" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/f/csm_duerr-1989-erste-aktie_dc6d3c497a.jpg", "caption": "The first Dürr share", "alt": "first Duerr share 1989", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/f/csm_duerr-1989-erste-aktie_9e2773b729.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Stepping onto the trading floor", "text": "On January 4, 1990, Dürr shares are traded on the stock exchange for the first time. Prior to that, at the end of 1989, the holding company Dürr-Beteiligungs-GmbH was converted into a stock corporation. The Dürr family becomes majority shareholder and Heinz Dürr takes over as chairman of the supervisory board. " }, "unique_id": 133 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1988", "display_date": "1989" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1988", "display_date": "1989" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/b/8/csm_duerr-1989-duerr-behr-fahnen_1223e0618e.jpg", "caption": "Behr becomes part of the Dürr Group.", "alt": "1989 Duerr and Behr flags", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/b/8/csm_duerr-1989-duerr-behr-fahnen_277283b491.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Everything from a single source", "text": "Since the end of the 1970s, Dürr has combined almost everything needed to supply complete paint shops for the automotive industry under one roof. Only one technology is still missing: paint application. The market and technology leader in this field is the company Behr of Bietigheim-Bissingen, less than 20 kilometers from Dürr’s headquarters in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Almost the entire international automotive industry collaborates with the application technology specialist. Dürr and Behr also cooperated successfully on several major contracts in the past. In 1989, Dürr takes over the Bietigheim company, thus becoming a provider of complete painting systems. With this unique selling proposition, the company finally secures its top position in the international painting systems market." }, "unique_id": 134 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1994", "display_date": "1995" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1998", "display_date": "1999" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/8/6/csm_duerr-1995-gelaende-zuffenhausen_12f57e6949.jpg", "caption": "The former headquarters in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.", "alt": "Duerr Zuffenhausen 1995", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/8/6/csm_duerr-1995-gelaende-zuffenhausen_93ef34302e.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "On a shopping spree", "text": "At the end of the 1990s, automobile manufacturers expect their suppliers to dispose of ever-increasing innovation, technology and systems competency. While many small companies reach their limits in view of these growing demands, Dürr, as a globally positioned systems supplier, senses a huge opportunity and expands its range of products and services through a series of corporate acquisitions and investments. The acquisition of the US Premier Group in 1999 marks the company’s entry into the service business related to automotive production." }, "unique_id": 135 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1995", "display_date": "1996" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1995", "display_date": "1996" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/1/f/csm_duerr-1996-erster-roboter_6fcd9d25be.jpg", "caption": "The first Dürr painting robot", "alt": "Duerr first robot 1996", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/1/f/csm_duerr-1996-erster-roboter_0c96c657ee.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Painting robot made by Dürr", "text": "The first Dürr painting robot is introduced. This new development is the centerpiece of an innovation offensive and is very successful due to its high coating quality, fast color changes and high process reliability. Compared to the painting machines used before, Dürr’s own robot system reduces material consumption – and thus also the cost of disposal and recycling – by more than 50 percent. The market launch is the beginning of a success story that has continued over several generations of robots to this day. Dürr is still the only supplier in the world to develop robots exclusively for painting." }, "unique_id": 136 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1999", "display_date": "2000" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1999", "display_date": "2000" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/7/csm_duerr-2000-schenck-darmstadt_65c3f39a32.jpg", "caption": "Schenck has been part of the Dürr Group since 2000.", "alt": "Schenck Darmstadt 2000", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/7/csm_duerr-2000-schenck-darmstadt_4a1f4f3fdb.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Acquisition of Schenck", "text": "Shortly after the turn of the millennium, the largest acquisition in the company’s history so far takes place. The Darmstadt-based mechanical engineering company Schenck becomes part of the Group. Dürr thus opens up new areas of business: Balancing, diagnostic and filling technology, as well as final vehicle assembly technology are added to the portfolio. In the latter field, the company also intends to establish itself in the future as a system provider of turnkey solutions, similar to what was done in the painting systems business. Almost simultaneously with the Schenck acquisition, Dürr takes over the paint systems manufacturer Alstom Automation from France. The aim of that acquisition is to expand the business with the French automotive industry." }, "unique_id": 137 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2000", "display_date": "2001" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2000", "display_date": "2001" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/b/b/csm_duerr-2001-rodip-neu_e2f5694c73.jpg", "caption": "The central movement in the new RoDip dip coating process is a rotation on its own axis.", "alt": "Duerr RoDip 2001", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/b/b/csm_duerr-2001-rodip-neu_b8ffd1db0b.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Innovative somersault", "text": "Since 2001, Dürr has used the innovative dip painting process RoDip (short for “roll over dip”) in its projects. The product name already indicates its special feature: As the car body passes through the dip tank, it rotates once on its own axis. This “somersault” helps to ensure that all areas of the car body, including the cavities, are coated evenly. In the following years, Dürr engineers further develop the technology and optimize energy and material consumption, among other things. RoDip quickly establishes itself as the leading dip coating process in the market." }, "unique_id": 138 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "1999", "display_date": "2000" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2003", "display_date": "2004" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/1/csm_duerr-2000-neubau-zuffenhausen_c2accc9aba.jpg", "caption": "The new building on the company premises in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen", "alt": "new Duerr building Zuffenhausen 2000", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/1/csm_duerr-2000-neubau-zuffenhausen_c645ac34e3.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Dings in the paintwork", "text": "In 2000, a new engineering and administration building is constructed in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Otherwise, the new millennium is off to a bumpy start. On the one hand, pricing pressure increases in the business with the automotive industry. On the other hand, the Group has been burdened with a high level of financial debt since the acquisitions of Premier, Schenck and Alstom Automation. In addition, the integration of the recently acquired companies could also run more smoothly. Synergies between old and new business areas have not yet been optimally exploited. In 2003, Dürr is in the red due to high restructuring costs. Investors are shocked by profit warnings more than once and the press refers to Dürr as an “ailing plant manufacturer”." }, "unique_id": 139 } ] }

{ "events": [ { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2004", "display_date": "2005" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2004", "display_date": "2005" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/8/c/csm_duerr-2005-focus-logo_9cc4f5bb07.jpg", "caption": "The FOCUS optimization program helps Dürr to get back on track for success.", "alt": "focus logo 2005 ", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/8/c/csm_duerr-2005-focus-logo_599074349b.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "A FOCUS on optimizations", "text": "The focus on the core business with the automotive industry was intended to lead Dürr back on track for success. The optimization program derived from this goal bears the very fitting name FOCUS and resembles a general overhaul of the Group. The person responsible for this is the new CEO Ralf W. Dieter, who still leads the Group today. Individual business units are sold and broad-based process improvements are initiated. The working atmosphere also benefits from the changes. Venturing into new territory, thinking positively, building on old successes and thus regaining self-confidence: What was neglected in previous years is now being revived. FOCUS marks a turning point for the company in every respect." }, "unique_id": 140 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2008", "display_date": "2009" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2008", "display_date": "2009" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/d/3/csm_duerr-2009-campus-bietigheim_99bfc346fb.jpg", "caption": "One of the largest construction project in the company’s history: The Dürr Campus in Bietigheim-Bissingen.", "alt": "Duerr campus Bietigheim 2009", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/d/3/csm_duerr-2009-campus-bietigheim_0d960ee31d.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Moving closer together", "text": "In Germany, the Group bundles its activities relating to automotive painting at the new “Dürr Campus” in Bietigheim-Bissingen. To this end, the plant technology previously located in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen comes together under one roof with the application technology already located in Bietigheim-Bissingen. The modern campus is intended to make business processes more efficient, facilitate cooperation and further strengthen the feeling of belonging. A few years later, the campus concept is also implemented in China and the US." }, "unique_id": 141 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2009", "display_date": "2010" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2009", "display_date": "2010" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/3/f/csm_duerr-2010-trockenabscheidung_a77f5fbe85.jpg", "caption": "Dürr sets new standards with the EcoDryScrubber dry separation system in 2010.", "alt": "Duerr EcoDryScrubber 2010", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/3/f/csm_duerr-2010-trockenabscheidung_208dafb825.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "New technological standards", "text": "Dürr is able to maintain its position as a technological leader with a strong spirit of innovation. The list of trend-setting new developments is long. In 2010, the EcoDryScrubber dry separation system revolutionizes the separation of overspray in paint booths of the automotive industry. With the EcoBell3, Dürr achieves a quantum leap in the field of high-speed rotating atomizers. The first 7-axis painting robot and EcoProFleet, the first automated guided vehicle specially designed for paint shops, were also developed by Dürr. In 2020, the EcoPaintJet, a groundbreaking solution for two-tone painting, is awarded the German Innovation Award." }, "unique_id": 142 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2012", "display_date": "2013" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2012", "display_date": "2013" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/1/7/csm_duerr-2013-heinz-duerr_a185598195.jpg", "caption": "Heinz Dürr, grandson of the company founder, major shareholder and Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dürr AG", "alt": "Heinz Duerr 2013", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/1/7/csm_duerr-2013-heinz-duerr_cbbb3257db.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "The end of an era", "text": "“After 24 annual general meetings and 104 Supervisory Board meetings, I think that it is enough.” With these words, Heinz Dürr resigns as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dürr AG shortly before his 80th birthday. Heinz Dürr remains a role model for the company staff, thanks to his Swabian down-to-earth attitude. In fact, the Dürr team does not have to do without the great businessman altogether. Heinz Dürr is appointed Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board and remains close to the company and its employees." }, "unique_id": 143 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2013", "display_date": "2014" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2013", "display_date": "2014" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/a/csm_duerr-2014-homag-tischplatte_6e5b896c92.jpg", "caption": "The acquisition of the HOMAG Group adds another pillar to the Dürr Group.", "alt": "HOMAG tabletop 2014", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/f/a/csm_duerr-2014-homag-tischplatte_f40de77f64.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "A pillar made of wood", "text": "The takeover of the HOMAG Group is not only the largest, but for outsiders also the most surprising acquisition in the company’s history. Dürr opens up a completely new field of business outside the automotive industry. The HOMAG Group is the number one world market leader in woodworking machinery. Its high-tech solutions are used to produce home and office furniture, kitchens, parquet and laminate flooring, windows, doors, stairs and even components for timber houses." }, "unique_id": 144 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2017", "display_date": "2018" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2017", "display_date": "2018" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/5/5/csm_duerr-2017-digital-at-duerr_6744002cac.jpg", "caption": "For Dürr, digital transformation is an opportunity that the digital@DÜRR strategy aims to use in the best possible way.", "alt": "digital at Duerr 2017", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/5/5/csm_duerr-2017-digital-at-duerr_4a81dccbcb.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Digital transformation", "text": "Dürr has been driving its digital business for several years now with the digital@DÜRR strategy. Since 2018 software competencies within the Group are bundled in so called Digital Factories. There, digital experts work across divisions on new smart applications for controlling, analyzing and optimizing machines and plants. With their digital solutions, Dürr, Schenck and HOMAG enable their customers to reduce costs, achieve maximum manufacturing quality and ensure high system availability." }, "unique_id": 145 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2017", "display_date": "2018" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2019", "display_date": "2020" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/b/f/csm_duerr-2018-megtec_8dcdb25ddc.jpg", "caption": "The takeover of Megtec/Universal creates the worldwide leading supplier of environmental technology systems for industrial exhaust-air purification.", "alt": "Duerr Megtech 2018", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/b/f/csm_duerr-2018-megtec_287985f845.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Expansion of top position", "text": "With the acquisition of the US company Megtec/Universal, the Dürr Group doubles its environmental technology business, thus becoming the clear world market leader. The Danish mechanical engineering company System TM joins the HOMAG Group, complementing the portfolio for the construction of sustainable timber houses. Another transaction takes place on the doorstep of Dürr’s headquarters in Bietigheim: The Group acquires a stake in the renowned automation specialist Teamtechnik of Freiberg at the end of 2020. " }, "unique_id": 146 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2018", "display_date": "2019" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2018", "display_date": "2019" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/a/4/csm_duerr-2019-sustainability-logo_0edf2ee8ee.jpg", "caption": "The five fields of action in the area of sustainability are reflected in the Group’s sustainability logo.", "alt": "Duerr sustainability logo 2019", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/a/4/csm_duerr-2019-sustainability-logo_ef10ba5ad6.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Operating sustainably", "text": "In June 2019, Dürr AG is the first company worldwide to issue a sustainability Schuldschein loan, the interest on which is linked to the Group’s sustainability rating. Depending on how certain sustainability criteria develop, the interest rate drops or rises. The rating takes into account, for example, environmental indicators such as CO2 emissions and water consumption as well as fair working relationships and conditions at suppliers. By the end of 2020, two further sustainability Schuldschein loans and a syndicated loan are issued according to the same model. Sustainability is also a central element of the Group strategy and an important guiding principle for the further development of the company, for example in product innovations and acquisitions. In total, Dürr has defined five fields of action in the area of sustainability: Products & Services, Value Creation & Supply Chain, Employees & Qualification, Management & Governance, Engagement & Society." }, "unique_id": 147 }, { "start_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2020", "display_date": "2021" }, "end_date": { "month": "12", "day": "31", "year": "2020", "display_date": "2021" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/4/a/csm_220630-duerr-heinz-duerr-weyrauch_e0925adb20.jpg", "caption": "At the celebrations for the 125-year anniversary, Heinz Dürr (center), together with CEO Dr. Jochen Weyrauch (right), looks back at the history, culture, and future of the company.", "alt": "Yasmine Blair, Heinz Dürr and Dr. Jochen Weyrauch", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/4/a/csm_220630-duerr-heinz-duerr-weyrauch_017282645e.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "125-year anniversary", "text": "In 2021, the Dürr Group reaches a very special milestone: its 125-year anniversary. The occasion is marked by the publication of a book, entitled “From the Workshop to the World Stage”, which provides a fact-filled and lively account of Dürr’s history. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, celebrations cannot be held until the following year. The official ceremony is attended by 250 guests from politics and business as well as three generations of the Dürr family, which still holds almost 30% of Dürr’s shares. In his speech, Heinz Dürr highlights how pivotal the employees are to the company’s success." }, "unique_id": 148 }, { "start_date": { "month": "06", "day": "30", "year": "2023", "display_date": "2023" }, "end_date": { "month": "06", "day": "30", "year": "2023", "display_date": "2023" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_220804-duerr-ecoprobooth_30295af946.jpg", "caption": "The partnership agreement is a premiere in the decade-long cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and Dürr.", "alt": "Dürr's spray booth EcoProBooth", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_220804-duerr-ecoprobooth_6f858c3130.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Partnering for more sustainability", "text": "In summer 2023, the Dürr Group enters into a long-term strategic partnership with the automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz in the field of paint shops. The aim is to make vehicle painting CO2-free, thus jointly setting new standards in sustainability. Within the framework of the partnership, it is planned to reduce energy consumption per painted car body to less than 400 kilowatt hours. This represents an absolute record level and corresponds to less than half the current consumption." }, "unique_id": 230 }, { "start_date": { "month": "07", "day": "31", "year": "2023", "display_date": "2023" }, "end_date": { "month": "07", "day": "31", "year": "2023", "display_date": "2023" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/7/3/csm_duerr-2023-electric-toothbrushes_96bddc4aca.jpg", "caption": "BBS Automation is represented in the consumer goods market, for example, with automated assembly lines for electric toothbrushes.", "alt": "automated assembly line for electric toothbrushes", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/7/3/csm_duerr-2023-electric-toothbrushes_500ecc8a4c.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Expansion in automation technology", "text": "In August 2023, the Dürr Group acquires the automation specialist BBS Automation. Dürr is thus continuing its growth trajectory in industrial automation. BBS Automation, based in Garching near Munich, offers automated systems for the production of components for various industries such as e-mobility/automotive, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods. The systems are used to manufacture electronic components, batteries and whole drive trains, as well as medical products such as syringes, inhalers and pharmaceuticals or hearing aids and electric toothbrushes." }, "unique_id": 231 }, { "start_date": { "month": "10", "day": "31", "year": "2023", "display_date": "2023" }, "end_date": { "month": "10", "day": "31", "year": "2023", "display_date": "2023" }, "media": { "url": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/7/csm_duerr-2023-heinz-duerr_42b70fa7ee.jpg", "caption": "Heinz Dürr maintained close ties with the company as Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board until the end. He frequently visited company sites in Germany and abroad.", "alt": "Heinz Dürr", "title": "", "thumbnail": "/fileadmin/_processed_/c/7/csm_duerr-2023-heinz-duerr_16ff45e146.jpg" }, "text": { "headline": "Mourning for Heinz Dürr", "text": "It is a drastic event for the Dürr Group and its more than 20,000 employees: Heinz Dürr passes away in November 2023. The Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board and anchor shareholder of Dürr AG lived to the age of 90. Heinz Dürr was one of the most prominent entrepreneurial personalities in the Federal Republic of Germany. Under his leadership, the Dürr family business, founded by his grandfather in 1896, developed into one of the world’s leading mechanical and plant engineering firms. Heinz Dürr became known throughout Germany from the 1970s onwards as the chief negotiator for metal industry employers, CEO of AEG, head of Deutsche Bahn, and commissioner of the Carl Zeiss Foundation. Following the death of Heinz Dürr, the Dürr family continues to feel closely connected to the company as an anchor shareholder." }, "unique_id": 232 } ] }