History
From the garage to an expanding medium-sized business
In the mid-70s, Ursula and Heinrich Pollmeier founded the company Heinrich Pollmeier company– like so many people in Hövelhof at home in the garage, as a sideline. Initially, radiator mounts were punched on the private property. Soon, however, the production area became insufficient and a second garage was needed.
In 1979, the business provided so much income that Heinrich Pollmeier quit his job and branched out on his own full-time. He bought the property at the Industriestraße. In 1980, the business man moved out of the garage and reincorporated the business as Heinrich Pollmeier Stanz- und Beschlägeteile GmbH and hired its first full-time employee.
An ingenious invention of the bright business man, a special bending mechanism for office chairs, provided for the next expansion thrust. With this technology, the Pollmeier company was the only provider in the marketplace for ten years and provided its customer, the “Froli” company, a competitive advantage through this cost-saving production option.
Heinrich Pollmeier GmbH expands. Successively, more staff is hired and the production area expanded. In 1988, the first master craftsman is hired. In 1995, Pollmeier’s sons Erik and Holger, join the company. By now, double-digit expansion rates are normal. Holger Pollmeier takes over sales and distribution and five years later founds a second company which finishes the punch and forming components manufactured under his brother and puts them together into assemblies. Together, the brothers increase sales tenfold – in spite of increasing metal prices, profits do not suffer.
In 2003, Heinrich Pollmeier steps down from executive management at age 68. He continues to support the company as a consultant. Erik Pollmeier, managing director since 1997, leads the business to further success. The use of IT-supported production planning and control, the implementation of the ISO 9000 quality standard, the start of a new ERP system bring new customers.
In 2004, the first fastening system for solar technology is delivered. What started as a sideline in a garage has developed into a strong medium-sized company. The company is home to a staff of 40 employees today. Production is spread across more than 3,500 m2. Only recently, the new production facility with 1,000 m2 was completed. For 2009, an expansion of the office space by 200 m2 is also planned. And effective immediately, the name mecotec stands for precision work and metal in form and function.
