Hettich (company)

Karl Hettich founded a metal industry in the Black Forest in 1888 and developed the so-called "Buckmaschine" for bending anchor hooks for pendulum clocks. After the death of the founder of the company in 1894, his widow and later the eldest son Franz Hettich continued the operation with six employees. Franz Hettich later recognized market opportunities for hinges for small watch cases and developed products for this segment. In 1921 Franz Hettich took his four brothers Paul, August, Ferdinand and Josef Hettich into the company. In 1928 August Hettich developed the first fully automatic bar hinge machine for the production of piano bands.[1][2]

In 1930, Paul Hettich GmbH was founded in Herford, a centre of the furniture industry. Bar hinges for the furniture industry were produced with seven employees. In 1933 the production of wood screws was taken and in 1936 the product range was extended by the production of cabinet pipes. The 50th anniversary of the headquarters in the Black Forest was celebrated in 1936. The workforce in Herford had grown to 50 employees. By bombs, on 24 November 1944, about 80 percent of the buildings and a large proportion of the machines were destroyed in Herford. In the last days of the war the company lost its boss Paul Hettich. The authorized signatory Alfred Günter continued the operation. After the war production in 1945 was resumed with 25 employees.[1][2]

1992 saw the turnaround in the growth of the company, and a focus on core competency took place. The Heinze injection molding company and the company Koralle were sold. In 1994, a part of the production to the Czech Republic was relocated to a subsidiary founded there. In 1995 the company was restructured and became a holding company with independent, decentralized companies. In 15 countries over 4,000 employees worked for Hettich. It was followed by the founding of subsidiaries in Poland and Italy as well as the start of production in Russia. In 1996 the Brazilian company Plastipar Industria, now Hettich do Brazil, was purchased and integrated into the Hettich Group. In addition, a production facility was set up in China. In 2005, the logistics centre in Kirchlengern was put into operation. After 17 years 55% of the shares were in foreign hands, Anton Hettich together with his two sons Rainer and Andreas Hettich led the company back completely into the family possession in 2005.[1][2]

The company has received numerous awards over the years:[3][4]

* Red Dot Design Award

The red dot award: Product design. This is one of the largest and most prestigious contests in the world. This internationally recognised quality label is exclusively reserved for the winner of the contest. Currently red dot has demonstrated its popularity in three disciplines ranging from product and communication design, to concepts.

Won 2022: AvanTech YOU Illumination Won 2022: Push to open Silent for hinged doors Won 2022: Quadro Compact FE 20 for wine refrigerators Won 2019: ViZard by ambigence Won 2018: WingLine L with "Push / Pull to Move" Won 2016: AvanTech Won 2014: Sensys wide angle hinge Won 2008: Sensys

* iF Design Award

The long-standing success story of iF design awards speaks for itself. iF design award has been distinguishing extraordinary designs since 1953. The manufacturers and designers from product, communication and packaging design can take part in the three categories of the competition.

Won in 2023: K08 hinge for wine cooler Won in 2022: Quadro Compact FE 20 for wine cooler Won in 2021: AvoriTech and Qudro Compact for dishwasher Won in 2019: TopLine XL and ComfortSpin (iF gold award) Won in 2017: Easys for refrigerators Won in 2016: AvanTech/en Won in 2016: Sensys/en thin door hinge Won in 2014: Push to open Silent/en Won in 2014: Sensys thick door hinge Won in 2014: Sensys wide angle hinge Won in 2012: ArciTech Won in 2009: Sensys Won in 2009: Touch-in Won in 2003: EasyLock Won in 2001: InnoTech interior organiser Won in 2000: Front panel for drawers Won in1995: Systema Top 2000 / interior organiser M Technology Award (organiser: if International Forum Design) Won in 2008: Lite inside handle

* Interzum Award

The whole “interzum award” project is divided into a competition, a special exhibition, an online exhibition and related PR. This Interzum award: intelligent material & design, is promoted and conducted by Kölnmesse GmbH & Co. KG. All exhibitors at the Interzum are eligible to participate in the competition, with their products from industrial series production.

Won 2023: FurnSpin Won 2021: AvanTech YOU Illumination Won 2019: ViZard (best of the best) and ComfortSpin (high product quality) Won 2017: ComfortSwing ("Best of the Best" award)

* Good Design Award

The Good Design Award is Japanese comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system, operated by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Won 2021: AvanTech YOU Won 2019: WingLine L Won 2017: SlideLine M Won 2014: ArciTech, Sensys

* German Design Award

As a competition which is in the industry and for the industry and which promotes the exceptional design competence of the designers, the German Design Award enjoys a high reputation with the public. This prestige of the competition is also due to the reputation of its sponsors and the German design council which has been representing the German design events for 60 years and supporting the industry in a competent and sustainable manner in all matters relevant to design.

Label "Special Mention" 2017:Sensys: thin door hinge Nominated 2017: Easys for refrigerators Label "Special Mention" 2016: InnoTech Atira Nominated 2015: AvanTech, InnoTech Atira, Sensys Wide angle hinge Won 2014: Push to open Silent for drawer systems

* OWL innovation award – market vision

Those innovations with which the company from East Westphalia-Lippe region makes a statement in the market and which have contributed to the success of company. It includes new or significantly improved products and services and also the exemplary operational processes which can be implemented ideally according to the branch and company size.

Won in 2011: ArciTech

* Gold Star Honourable Mention Award, Australien

Won 2018: WingLine L Won 2014: Sensys Won 2012: ArciTech

• Official website