More than 100 years of company history
The Pleiger company was founded in 1925 and has naturally lived through many social, political, and technological evolutions up to the present day. Here you will find a brief journey through our company history.
Founded by Paul Pleiger
Paul Pleiger founds the company in Sprockhövel (Herzkamp) to manufacture pneumatic tools and fittings for the Ruhr mining industry.
Expansion and entry into hydraulics
Following the early years in the mining sector, Pleiger expands its product portfolio to include hydraulic control systems, cylinders, and valves. Demand from industry and mining leads to steady growth.
Development of Plei-Tech® (polyurethane/cast elastomers)
Pleiger starts the development and production of specialty plastics based on polyurethane. Under the brand name Plei-Tech®, the foundation is laid for today's Pleiger Plastics business unit.
Headquarters in Witten
Due to growing space requirements, Pleiger relocates its headquarters and essential manufacturing capacities to Witten (Im Hammertal), where the company's headquarters remain to this day.
Establishment of Pleiger Far East in Korea
Entry into the Asian market through the founding of Pleiger Far East Co., Ltd. in South Korea. Core areas are shipbuilding hydraulics, valve control systems, and maritime measurement technology.
Entry into laser optics
Establishment and expansion of the Pleiger Laseroptik division in Witten. The portfolio encompasses high-precision optical components, mirrors, and coatings for CO₂ lasers and industrial optical systems.
Expansion into China (Pleiger Shanghai)
Founding of the Chinese subsidiaries (Shanghai Pleiger, Pleiger Dagang) to locally serve the growing Asian market for mechanical engineering, hydraulics, and plastics technology.
Structuring of the Pleiger Group
Reorganization of the individual divisions into independent, specialized companies under the umbrella of Pleiger Holding: - Pleiger Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG (hydraulics, drives, marine technology) - Pleiger Thermoplast GmbH (now Plastics / PA processing) - Pleiger Elektronik / Industrietechnik
US expansion: Pleiger Plastics Company (Pennsylvania)
Expansion of US operations with Pleiger Plastics Company in Washington, Pennsylvania (USA) for the manufacture of polyurethane cast elastomers for the North American market. Today managed by Mike Savage.
Expansion of capacities in Witten and PA processing
Modernization of the shop floors in Witten. The Pleiger Plastics division significantly expands the area of polyamide (PA) processing and cast polyamides for mechanical engineering and vehicle construction.
Further development of Pleiger Elektronik and system technology
Increased focus on digital control systems, building automation, fieldbus components, and customized electronics manufacturing within Pleiger Elektronik GmbH.
Consolidation as a global corporate group
Today, the Pleiger Group employs more than 600 people worldwide at locations in Germany (Witten, Blankenburg, Washington/PA), South Korea, China, and the USA. It is essentially divided into the pillars of mechanical engineering and hydraulics, plastics (cast elastomers and PA), laser optics, and electronics/industrial technology.
Pleiger extends its thanks to Dr. Knop
Our long-standing Managing Director Markus Knop enters well-deserved retirement. Jörg Karthaus will support management in the future.