We are Pollmann.

135 years and counting...

Tradition / Family Business / Innovation Leader

In our long history, we have had to overcome a number of challenges, both technical and economic. Innovative ideas have always moved us forward.

Facts / Figures / Data

History

1888

The beginning of an era: Precision technology has been Pollmann's main strength from the very start. In 1888, Franz Pollmann set up his craftsman's workshop in Karlstein in the Waldviertel region in Lower Austria. He specialized in the construction of precision devices and clock mechanisms for kitchen and room clocks, gear drives and pressure gauges. Gear conveyors, conveyor belts and recording meters were added starting in 1930.

1933

A new generation: Franz Pollmann's son Ernst and his wife Hildegard take over the business. Ernst Pollmann had already worked in the business since 1926. Both he and his wife had graduated from the Professional School of Watchmaking in Karlstein. Ernst Pollmann actually taught at this school from 1924 to 1945.

1952

The company name was changed and registered as Ernst Pollmann Uhren und Apparatebau OHG. The manufacturing of counters started in 1958; at first only for tape and cassette recorders.

1961

Product update: The product portfolio now includes display instruments, intermediate relays and spring assemblies. The company has grown to over 200 employees and new facilities are added.

1968

The end of an era: After 80 years, in-house production of watches/clocks is discontinued and Pollmann launches a clock/watch wholesale business. Production at Pollmann is now focused on tape recorder counters.

1969

A new generation: Ernst Pollmann Sr. hands over the reins to his sons Ernst and Herbert who had already been working in the company since 1962.

1980

The production of counters for speedometers launches the company as a supplier for the automotive industry. In 1981, production of video recorder parts is started. With the introduction of outsert technology in 1986, these parts extend to the entire drive chassis.

1988

Top quality: On its 100-year anniversary, Pollmann is one of the first companies in Austria to receive the Q1 quality certificates from Ford USA and Ford England. In 1991, Chrysler awards Pollmann the "Quality Excellence Certificate".

1991

Internationalization: Pollmann establishes its first subsidiary abroad in the town of Jindřichův Hradec, Czech Republic.

1994

New focus on sunroof solutions: Pollmann uses Outsert technology to manufacture the first sunroof mechanism for sunroof manufacturer Webasto. Today, Pollmann is the international market leader in this segment.

1997

Fourth generation: Markus and Robert Pollmann take over management of the company. The annual production of counters for odometers peaks at 7 million modules per year.

1998

New product: Pollmann starts the development and production of housings for door lock systems with integrated conductor tracks. With certifications according to ISO 9001, QS 9000 and VDA 6.1, the company solidifies its reputation as a high-quality manufacturer.

2001

Internationalization, part 2: On August 1, 2001, Pollmann opens its second production location abroad in Romeoville/Chicago (USA).

2004

Product in the medical field: Production of MYOBOCK electrodes for hand and knee prostheses for prosthetics specialist Otto Bock is launched. The Pollmann Austria location receives ISO14001:1996 certification.

2006

Expansion to the Far East: Pollmann China is established as the company's fourth location in Kunshan in the automotive region surrounding Shanghai.

2007

Pollmann continues to drive technological developments: New additions to the portfolio are components for high-power automotive applications such as Power Frame – an electric power steering component/EPS – for Audi.

2010

Expansion: Just under four years after the start in China, a second production facility is inaugurated in Kunshan with a production area of 86,000 square feet.

2011

Expansion in the Czech Republic: Pollmann CZ is developed as an additional Center of Competence for injection molding. Another 20,000 square feet are added to the production area for cost-effective modules including injection molding manufacturing.

2012

Clean room manufacturing: Starting in 2012, metal-plastic composites are produced in a 4,300-square-foot area in clean room class 8 (ISO 14644-1).

2012

Top apprenticeship program: Pollmann has been offering apprenticeship training for more than 70 years. In 2012, the apprentice workshop is expanded and equipped with a new injection molding machine, a handling robot and a pneumatics and electrical engineering laboratory.

2013

Pollmann turns 125 - time to celebrate! The company marked the anniversary with an Open House and a staff party which is still remembered with great enthusiasm. At that time, Pollmann had already more than 1,200 employees worldwide.

2015

More space: The production area at the Czech Republic location is doubled to 86,000 square feet. Thanks to its excellent transportation links, Pollmann Czech Republic has positioned itself perfectly for high-volume projects.

2016

The Pollmann China location has experienced a fantastic development and celebrates its 10th anniversary. The location employs more than 400 people and has a production area of 86,000 square feet.

2017

Expansion in Austria: Pollmann Austria expands its production area and opens a new 13,130-square-foot production facility at the Karlstein location. Pollmann now has a net production area of 198,000 square feet in Karlstein.

2017

25 years Pollmann Czech Republic: With more than 500 employees, Pollmann Czech Republic is one of the largest employers in the Jindřichův Hradec region.

2018

Pollmann Austria celebrates its 130-year anniversary and takes the next step in its expansion strategy in the Northern Waldviertel region. With an eye to the future, Pollmann purchases a 700,000-square-foot property.

2019

Pollmann China expands its production capacities: In its third expansion stage, the plant size almost doubles to a total of 220,000 square feet.

2020

Expansion in Austria with a new production site in Vitis: A new 37,700-square-foot production plant with a fully automated high-bay rack storage system for 5,500 pallet spaces starts operation.

2021

The Pollmann factory in Vitis awarded as the best factory in Austria: For the eleventh time, Fraunhofer Austria and INDUSTRIEMAGAZIN held the factory competition, with the final taking place at the previous year's winner, Handl Tyrol. In the final, Pollmann focused on the highly efficient energy system of the plant, the smart and efficient production methods, as well as the modern high-bay warehouse.

2021

Expansion into the NAFTA region: Pollmann de México starts series production towards the end of the year. The production site with an area of 5,000 m2 is located in San Miguel de Allende, in the central industrial region of the Bajío area northwest of Mexico City. The decision in favor of precisely this region, one of the most dynamic economic regions of Latin America, is also important from a strategic development perspective, as a significant part of Mexico's Tier 2 automotive suppliers are based there.

2022

Takeover of MAXXOM Automation GmbH: Through the merger and integration of Pollmann Automation Technology into MAXXOM Automation GmbH, injection molding automation expertise is combined with assembly system know-how. With this new size, MAXXOM is in a position to handle major international projects for external customers. In addition, order-specific capacities can be jointly coordinated and synergies can be created. The MAXXOM headquarters are located in Oberhofen am Irrsee, Upper Austria. The second location is Pollmann’s headquarters in Karlstein, Lower Austria.

2022

Foundation of Pollmann Werkzeugbau GmbH (Toolmaking): Just as series production would not be possible without raw materials and qualified employees, it would also not be possible without the right tools. The in-house toolmaking has been an indispensable part of Pollmann’s company history for more than 50 years. To give this specialization a name, a subsidiary was established with Pollmann Werkzeugbau GmbH. As a result of this step, the know-how gained over many years of practical experience no longer only benefits the company's own production, but can also be offered to external customers in the form of development and production.

Social Responsibility

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Reduce environmental impact

Pollmann focuses on environmentally sound production and uses raw materials and energy sparingly. Commercially meaningful ways of environmentally sound recycling or disposal are sought for inevitable emissions and waste. During the planning of new production facilities, we design manufacturing processes that are highly efficient and conserve energy.

Increase environmental awareness of employees

Environmental protection starts with our employees because environmental protection is the responsibility of each one of us. We promote personal accountability in all areas of environmental protection within the company through education and awareness training. We offer incentives for suitable suggestions for improvements from all employees.

Ensure legal compliance

Compliance with laws and regulations is a given for us. This applies to environmental regulations and to any other kind of ordinance or regulatory notice.

Avoid emergencies

We take precautions agains malfunctions and make sure that appropriate action is taken in the production of our products to prevent malfunctions and to reduce the environmental consequences of malfunctions. Our emergency plans are regularly reviewed and amended as needed. We coordinate these activities with the relevant authorities.

Neighbor relations

Pollmann relies on transparent communication with the public. We conduct an open dialog about environmental topics that affect us with neighbors, government agencies and all interested parties.

Environmental Management System

We promote environmental protection also among our suppliers and customers. We prefer suppliers with environmentally sound means of transportation and environmentally friendly practices in general. We want to motivate them to continuously improve their environmental performance through their business activities, their products and services. We encourage them to use an environmental management system.

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