Groz-Beckert

The Groz-Beckert KG is part of the Groz-Beckert Group based in Albstadt-Ebingen in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Groz-Beckert is the world's leading provider of industrial needles, precision components and fine tools as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textiles. Founded in 1852, the company is still family-owned. On 31 December 2016 the group of companies had nearly 7,700 employees, of which 2,010 worked at the headquarters in Albstadt. Groz-Beckert is the largest employer of the Zollernalbkreis. In the business year 2016 the company generated a turnover of 665 mil. Euro.HistoryIn 1852 Theodor Groz opened a store for toys and fashion accessories with an attached needle workshop in Ebingen, today part of Albstadt. In the same year he produced needles for warp knitting and hosiery production for the first time. In 1871 Ernst Beckert founded the identically-named company "Ernst Beckert" in Eibenberg, near Chemnitz, for the production of needles. In 1884 Ernst Beckert relocated his needle factory to Chemnitz. Already in 1888 Theodor Groz & Söhne founded their own health insurance fund for their employees – the precursor of today's BKK Groz-Beckert. In 1937 the two companies merged, laying the foundation of the present group of companies. At that time, Walther Groz was the Head of the Executive Board of the company. Today, besides the headquarters there are further production sites all over the world (Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Portugal, India, China, Vietnam, USA). Also sales affiliates can be found around the globe (Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy, France, Great Britain, Mexico, USA, India, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore). Since 1996 the company is chaired by Dr. Thomas Lindner (born 1951), a descendant of one of the founders. From 2010 to 2013 Lindner was president of the VDMA.