From the first clip folder to innovative modern work concepts: German brand manufacturer DURABLE has been impressing customers with pioneering workplace solutions for 100 years – both nationally and globally.
DURABLE – the name says it all. Though the brand from the Sauerland region of Germany has only had this name since the early 1950s, the idea behind it has been the company’s guiding vision for its entire 100-year history. Future-proof solutions for modern forms of work, enduring quality and award-winning designed products, DURABLE have always been and remain pioneers in innovation, efficiency and aesthetics.
Around the world, the way we work has changed significantly. Computers, mobile devices and methods like Kaizen and agile working have changed the working environment just as much as the increasing flexibility in when and where we work. DURABLE currently offers a wide selection of modern workplace products for many different industries: from tablet holders to cable management systems, from mobile organisation to labelling and presentation concepts.
Family-owned company
It all started on 7 February 1920 with metal indexing tabs – the state-of-the-art filing system at the time. Karl Hunke and Wilhelm Jochheim founded a company together to produce them in Iserlohn. DURABLE is still owned by the founding families.
Modern production and logistics
At the end of the 40s, DURABLE begins production of plastic items such as indexes.
In the 50s and 60s, the company builds and commissions modern production facilities to the latest standards, enlarging and upgrading them continuously in the following decades.
In 1993, DURABLE purchases another production facility in Gotha and builds a new plant there in 2000. DURABLE builds a modern distribution centre in Iserlohn-Sümmern, which is expanded considerably in 2016.
In 2006, the Stettin plant is commissioned, adding another new, large production facility.
In 2019, DURABLE makes a significant investment in the German location of Kamen-Methler, building a modern production hall with collaborative robots supporting workers there for the first time.
Expansion through acquisitions
On 1 January 2010, DURABLE takes over the Idealplast brand, diversifying its range of desk accessories and plastic containers by adding products from one of the leading providers in this segment.
In October 2010, DURABLE acquires part of the company Atlanta, known for its trolley and waste bin series.
From Sauerland to the world
DURABLE founded subsidiaries in England and Sweden in 1980, in the Netherlands in 1991, Belgium in 1997, France in 2000, Austria and the USA in 2001, and Italy in 2015, a market it had been serving by sales representatives since 2005.
The company is also represented in Russia (since 2002) and has sales representatives in Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland.
Responsible corporate management
A holistic approach to sustainability has been a key component of DURABLE’s corporate management for decades. DURABLE’s latest sustainability report contains details on the goals the company has already reached and the measures that are currently being implemented.
Visionary entrepreneurs
Besides its founding fathers, DURABLE’s long-standing Managing Directors Horst-Werner Maier-Hunke, Dieter Wäscher and, since 2006, Matthias Laue have played vital roles in the company’s success story. Under their leadership, the company has become an internationally successful player in the last forty years.
In this anniversary year, Horst-Werner Maier-Hunke will gradually hand over the baton to Rolf Schifferens, who is on board as MD since January 2020.
Fresh look
DURABLE is kicking off the new corporate century with an refreshed corporate design that references existing brand elements and transforms them into a modern forward-looking design.
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