History

Hermann und Adele Kölle-1.Generation

Hermann and Adele Kölle
1st generation

Baugesuch Neubau Fabrikgebäude 1911

Building permit for new production building 1911

Produzieren im Jahre 1920

Production in 1920

Werbung1

Advertising from the 30ies

Willi Kölle - 2. Generation

Willi Kölle
2nd generation

Gravieren im Jahre 1884

Engraving atelier around 1950

Werbung2

Advertising from the 50ies

erste spezielle Haftetikettenmaschine von Gallus

First special adhesive labelling machine from Gallus

Michael Kölle - 3. Generation

Michael Kölle
3rd generation

Werbung3

Advertising from the 60ies

Werbung4

Advertising from the 80ies

Philipp Kölle - 4. Generation_1664

Philipp Kölle
4th generation

iso-9002_gueltig-bis-09-2003_00012

First ISO certificate in quality, in the year 2000

img_138441_bearb42

Newest print – /packaging machine

1884

The company was founded as a book binding atelier by W. Langguth in Esslingen in 1884.
At the beginning, it made labels using a hand-embossing machine. With great commitment, the embossing technology was steadily developed, modernised and automated over subsequent years. Production of trading stamps, punched and heat seal labels as well as hang-tag labels for various types of ticketing take place using numerous embossing machines.

1910

Hermann Kölle (1st generation)

1911

Moving to the present location today at Olgastrasse in Esslingen am Neckar.

1922

The company building was extended. The company, Etikettenfabrik Kölle (still under this name at the time) developed into one of the leading printers of labels with steadily growing volumes.

1933

Willi Kölle (2nd generation)

1950

Production of self-adhesive labels begins, and Kölle Etiketten becomes one of the first companies that can offer self-adhesive labelling technology.

Self-adhesive labels were first manufactured on the existing embossing machines until 1966 when the first special label-printing machines were acquired from the Ferd. Rüsch company. The self-adhesive area developed extremely positively over the following years so that other machinery could be acquired the following years.

1954

Kölle Etiketten is able to grow again due to another expansion of the manufacturing floor.

1958

Michael Kölle (3rd generation)

1967

Printing flexible packaging is added as an additional production area. The manufacturing floor is expanded with rotary printing presses for flexo printing and over the years, Kölle Etiketten grows to become one of the leading international suppliers for packaging materials, especially in the area of tea bag production.

1994

Philipp Kölle (4th generation)

1996

The facilities are expanded. With a modern, new building, additional production and warehousing surfaces are created. The old building is fully remodelled and the building technology completely updated. By installing innovative, environmentally friendly heating and ventilation system, production conditions as well as environmental protection is improved.

1999

Investment in a new, modern rotary printing press for flexible packaging.

During subsequent years, additional, modern printing machines are acquired in order to meet customer demands in terms of quality and delivery speed.

2000

Certification according to quality standards DIN ISO 9002:1994 by TÜV, which are then changed to DIN ISO 9001:2000 in 2004. Therefore, a quality management system is established and can be continually expanded.

2004

The EDP is modernised and an industry software (ERP) for order processing, warehousing and invoicing is brought up to date.

New customers at national and international level are acquired, ensuring more growth.

2009

Kölle Etiketten celebrates its 125th anniversary.
The first 8-colour printing machine for flexible packaging is acquired in order to meet the rising demand for non-standard printed products. This allows up to 8 special colours on one side or also 4 colours on front and back side to be printed.

2010

A management system for food safety in compliance with DIN ISO 22000 is introduced and successfully certified by TÜV. The climate conditions in all of the production halls are improved so that constant product quality can be assured.

2014

In regards to the environment, a binding environmental management system is implemented in the company with the successful completion of the ÖKOPROFIT project in January and subsequent certification according to DIN ISO 14001 by TÜV in April.

A new printing/finishing machine is invested in which can handle particularly unique adhesive label features such as, 100% control, lamination, manufacture of glue-free zones and other functions for the manufacturing of challenging adhesive labels. Kölle Etiketten is thus able to meet more of its customers growing demands.

2016

In the range of food safety a varied activity has been implemented in 2016, throughout the management system in food safety could be further on improved and the guidelines of existing certified standard by ISO 22000 even could be exceeded.

Member of IVLV (Industrievereinigung für Lebensmitteltechnologie und Verpackung e.V.):

Kölle Etiketten supports the research and transfer of knowledge for safe packed foodstuff. Together with other companies from the food industry as well as renowned research centers joint projects are realized to further improve food packaging and secure it even more.