History
1861: The Genesis of Innovation
In the industrious town of Aue, Saxony, a visionary by the name of Erdmann Kircheis embarked on a journey that would mark the beginning of an era. Founding his company, Kircheis dedicated his efforts to crafting simple yet revolutionary machines for sheet metal processing. His workshop buzzed with the sounds of beading machines, guillotine shears, spindle presses, bending benches, and an array of flanging, folding, and bending contraptions.
1863: Scaling New Heights
Just two years into his venture, Kircheis' workshop expanded, now bustling with ten skilled employees, all dedicated to the art of sheet metal working machines.
1873: A Leap Forward
The company's growth was meteoric. By 1873, it had relocated to its present-day headquarters, boasting a workforce of 80 dedicated craftsmen.
1877: An Educational Milestone
In a move that demonstrated Kircheis' commitment to knowledge and skill, the "German Technical School for Sheet Metal Workers" was inaugurated, with Kircheis himself as a co-founder.
1880: Sealing the Future
The company's ingenuity shone brightly as it constructed the first machine capable of sealing tin cans with unmatched reliability and precision. This innovation laid the groundwork for the department dedicated to machines for sheet metal wrapping.
1884: Foundational Growth
Recognizing the need for self-reliance, the company established its own foundry, a significant step in its quest for vertical integration.
1886: A Manufacturing Powerhouse
The company's prowess was evident as it produced 400 machines and 10.000 plumbing tools, marking its dominance in the field.
1910: Expanding Horizons
A new assembly hall was constructed, capable of accommodating the heaviest presses and shears, weighing up to an astonishing 80 tons.
1922: A Patent Powerhouse
The company held an impressive portfolio of 112 domestic and foreign patents, employing 1.200 people, and emerged as Europe's largest manufacturer of sheet metal working machines.
1946: A New Chapter
In the aftermath of World War II, the company underwent a significant transformation, being transferred to public ownership.
1967: Specializing Success
The company sharpened its focus, specializing in the production of packaging machines and production lines for can manufacturing.
1971: Technological Triumph
The advent of numerically controlled machine tools marked a new era of precision and efficiency in the company's manufacturing process.
1978: Innovating Can Production
The company continued to innovate, developing production lines for multiple-drawn cans and for the manufacture of can bodies.
1981: A Strategic Union
A strategic merger occurred, bringing together “VEB Blema” and “VEB Auer Werkzeugbau” under one banner.
1989-1990: A New Beginning
The tumultuous period of the fall of the Berlin Wall saw the “Treuhand” takeover, leading to the formation of a GmbH and the separation of the companies.
1996: Visionary Negotiations
Uwe Leonhardt began negotiations to acquire parts of the company.
1997: A New Dawn
From January to April 1997, the administrator transferred the operational business of the bankrupt Blema to the Leonhardt Family. Uwe Leonhardt took the helm, employing the existing workforce from day one. On May 1, 1997, “Gebrüder Leonhardt GmbH & Co. KG” was founded, buying assets from the bankruptcy administrator and symbolically integrating the heritage of "Blema" and "Kircheis" into the new company name. This was not a legal continuation of the old companies, but a new chapter under the leadership of Uwe Leonhardt.
1997-2001: Global Expansion
The company embarked on establishing a worldwide sales organization. New products were developed, and the company distinguished itself in both forming technology and sealing technologies. The workforce grew from 40 to over 200 employees, and significant investments were made in buildings, machinery, and equipment, enhancing the company's international competitiveness.
2001: Industry Recognition
BLEMA received the 1st prize in the BDI (Federation of German Industries) Export Prize, a testament to the employees' hard work and dedication.
2002: Resilience in Adversity
The catastrophic "flood of the century" on August 12-13 devastated the company. However, Uwe Leonhardt's rallying cry, "People, we can do it!" became a symbol of hope. With incredible support and commitment, the company embarked on a three-year reconstruction program.
2005: A Phoenix Rises
The company reemerged stronger, boasting one of the most modern factories in the industry. Even during reconstruction, the operational business thrived, employing over 300 workers and collaborating with over 200 service providers and suppliers.
2006: Strategic Partnerships
Leonhardt Holding GmbH, led by Uwe Leonhardt, acquired a stake in the industry's world market leader, Soudronic AG Switzerland, fostering a post-acquisition cooperative relationship.
2007: A Decade of Excellence
The company celebrated its 10th anniversary, honoring its rich heritage since 1861 and its dynamic journey in the free market economy. Its innovative product range was now among the world's best.
2008-2009: Weathering the Financial Crisis
Despite a 30% drop in turnover due to the 2008 financial crisis, the company's management chose not to lay off any employees. Instead, they focused on developing new products, like the high-performance embossing machine GAMMA II embomax® and direct sealing on metal packaging. These innovations won international acclaim and helped the company emerge stronger from the crisis.
2010: A Flourishing Future
The company's order books swelled, with increasing demands for standard machines, new products, and innovative research projects. BLEMA continued to participate in leading industry trade fairs, maintaining a tradition essential to its sales and customer engagement strategies.
2011: Celebrating a Century and a Half
30th June 2011, marked the 150th anniversary of Kircheiswerk, celebrated with a grand event at the Kulturhaus Aue. The company stood poised for a future of continued success in a globalized economy.
2015: Strategic Acquisition
The acquisition of the "Packaging Solutions" division of Manz AG and the assets of the former “Christian MAJER GmbH & Co. KG” expanded BLEMA's product range, technologies, and customer base.
2017: A Nod to Sustainability
BLEMA’s commitment to eco-friendly packaging solutions earned it a nomination for the futureSAX award.
2020: Strengthening Global Presence
This year marked a significant milestone in the company's strategic expansion and technological advancement. In a bold move, the acquisition of “Pakea de France” from Mulhouse/Rixheim significantly bolstered the Group’s position in the global market. This acquisition was part of a broader entrepreneurial goal to enhance the existing product portfolio, particularly focusing on machines for paper converting and packaging. Additionally, the acquisition of “M.S. Willett Inc.” provided a robust platform for delivering superior service and support to customers in the U.S. market, while elevating our tooling expertise.
2021: Expanding Capacities
The acquisition of the metal construction company “Mehlhorn GmbH” at the Aue site further strengthened BLEMA’s manufacturing capacity.
2022: Commitment to Excellence
The company's dedication to high-quality vocational training was recognized with an honorary certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
2023: Environmental and Climate Advocacy
BLEMA was inducted into the Environmental and Climate Alliance of Saxony, acknowledging its commitment to sustainability, climate, and environmental protection.