HELLER history
From the vice to the highly-flexible manufacturing system
It all began in 1894 when Hermann Heller, just 25 years old, founded a company called "Hermann Heller Handelsgeschäft und Produktion von geschützten Artikeln und Uhrmacherwerkzeugen". Today, the HELLER Group develops and produces state-of-the-art CNC machine tools and production systems for machining processes and has 2,600 employees all over the world.
1894
February 7: Hermann Heller (1869-1931) founds a company called "Hermann Heller Handelsgeschäft und Produktion von geschützten Artikeln und Uhrmacherwerkzeugen" in Nürtingen.
In the beginning, HELLER produces chimney pots, spiral staircases, parallel-jaw vices and other tools.
1898
Thread-cutting machines and the first cold circular saws expand the product range.
1899
A portable oscillating saw together with manual sharpener for rail track construction follow next.
1900
January 5: commercial register entry "Gebrüder Heller Werkzeug- und Maschinenfabrik in Nürtingen", the partners are the brothers Ernst Heller (merchant) and Hermann Heller (technician).
1908
At the beginning of the 20th century, HELLER was already successfully selling the RB0, RB1 and RB2 radial drilling machines and the RBS high-performance radial drilling machine. This was a crucial step on the way to becoming a milling machine manufacturer.
1913
The first apprentice workshop is setup in Nürtingen.
1923
HELLER exports to Denmark, delivering abroad for the first time.
1930s
The second generation enters the company.
1935
HELLER developed a special milling machine for the flat machining of a light metal crankcase for the Messerschmitt 109 R aircraft, which reached the world record speed of 755 km/h.
1938
Special design for pillar cold circular saw SKS 3000 weighing 220 t, a 3 metre diameter sawblade and a bed length of 60 metres.
1942
Machine tools from HELLER are equipped with hydraulic control systems – the range now includes crankshaft milling machines.
Modular heavyweight console milling machines are launched on the market.
1950s
At the time of the economical miracle, HELLER makes more and more custom machines and transfer lines to cover the increasing demand for more production capacity. In addition, HELLER introduces the electro-hydraulic control system (24 volt relay control) for machine tools.
1952
HELLER introduces the FH 140, laying the foundation stone for the company's DNA today. The horizontal production milling machine in a console design, later as a bed construction PF, already has the stability, productivity and reliability gene still typical of HELLER today. This makes it the forerunner of machining centres in the 1960s.
1960s
With Hubert and Berndt Heller, the family's third generation takes over the management of the machine factory.
1962
HELLER develops numerically controlled (NC) milling machines and machining centres with an automatic tool change facility.
1972
Crankshaft milling machines with internal milling for high production follow.
1974
The company expands its network with production workshops in Redditch (England) and Sorocaba (Brazil).
1978
HELLER expands its product range by camshaft milling machines.
1982
With a production site in Chicago, HELLER now has a presence on the US market.
BEA machining centres with the latest CNC technology and proprietary control system (HELLER uniPro NC 80) also go into series production this year.
1985
Opening of the sales and service office in France (Paris).
1990s
HELLER offers a wide range of flexible and modular machines for numerous applications, providing increased productivity and more efficient manufacturing processes, including machining centres (MCA, MCS, MCP), head changing systems (HCS), crankshaft and camshaft milling machines (RFK, RFN) and turn-broaching centres (DRZ).
1990
Opening of the sales and service office in Italy (Verona).
1991
Founding of the Heller AG as a holding company.
1994
HELLER celebrates its 100th anniversary in a period of economic turbulence.
1995
Opening of the production facilities in the US (Troy/Michigan).
1997
Introduction of the MC machining centre range equipped with the new HELLER uniPro CNC 90 control.
2001
Opening of the sales and service office in Mexico (Querétaro).
2002
The HELLER Apprenticeship Initiative (HAI) is introduced by the management and the Youth and Apprentice Representatives (JAV). The aim is to promote social learning in education and social responsibility.
2005
Opening of the sales and service office in Spain (Barcelona).
2006
HELLER acquires GSN Maschinen-Anlagen-Service GmbH. The company from Rottenburg am Neckar specialises in machine rebuilds and overhauls
Berndt Heller becomes Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
2007
HELLER introduces the new H-series. It comprises flexibly configurable 4-axis horizontal machining centres for a broad range of materials and parts, from single unit manufacture through to large series production.
2008
August Wenzler Maschinenbau GmbH from Spaichingen, a specialist for component production solutions in lightweight construction runs, is acquired.
HELLER invests in the expansion of mechanical production at the Nürtingen site.
2009
HELLER introduces the new F-series. It comprises 5-axis production machines with and without pallet changer for a broad range of applications in various sectors.
2010
Founding of the "Development New Business & Technologies" department, which sounds out ideas for new business fields as well as the founding of a distribution and service location in Pune, India.
2011
HELLER introduces the new C-series. It comprises 5-axis machining centres for combined milling-turning tasks on one machine (combined processing).
2012
The first CBC modules for the innovative coating of crankcase cylinder bores are delivered.
Start of flow assembly at HELLER in Nürtingen. Others follow in the plants in the USA and Great Britain.
That same year, HELLER receives the largest contract in the company's history.
2013
HELLER opens a production plant in Changzhou (China).
2016
Introduction of the HELLER4Industry concept which, alongside complementary machine functionalities, offers other "on-demand" machine services, as well as a more expansive range of service packages.
HELLER introduces the new HF-series. It comprises 5-axis machining centres, which work highly productively and flexibly and which are easy to operate and maintain.
2017
HELLER4Industry is consistently advanced. HELLER4Use.
The flexible usage model for machining centres is introduced.
2018
HELLER acquires Paatz Viernau GmbH in Thüringen. The company is a specialist in the manufacture of bore heads, multi-spindle heads and complex fixtures.
2019
Inauguration of the new Used Machinery Outlet of STS Maschinendienstleistung GmbH (STS) in Metzingen. In addition to STS, the HELLER Group includes GSN Maschinen-Anlagen-Service GmbH, August Wenzler Maschinenbau GmbH and Paatz Viernau GmbH.
2020
In the middle of the Covid pandemic, the second generation of horizontal 5-axis machining centres from the HF series is presented during a virtual in-house event.
2021
The fourth generation of the proven 4-axis machining centres from the H series is launched. It offers users with a wide range of Industry 4.0 features.
HELLER remains a family-owned company. HELLER Group’s shareholder structure is reorganised: the siblings Nicole Pfleiderer and Marc Heller hold 100 percent of the shares in Heller Holding SE & Co. KGaA.
2023
The inauguration of the extension building at the Changzhou plant is an indication of the importance of the large Chinese market for HELLER.
The new generation of 5-axis machining centres from the F series is presented at EMO.
2024
HELLER celebrates its 130th company anniversary and employs more than 2,600 employees worldwide.
HELLER UK
Milestones
1974
HELLER UK begin its operations in Redditch, UK at a small factory unit.
1981
HELLER relocate to larger premises in Redditch, following the major decision to manufacture parts for the HELLER Group and assemble standard machines in the UK.
1997
Following the success of the UK Operation HELLER move again to its present site at Acanthus Road, Redditch.
2001
HELLER UK were assembling 300 machines plus.
2008
Additional Assembly Bay Added (D).
2011
Introduction of Flowline (plan) 1.
2016
Additional (Strothman) flowline fitted 2.
2017
Office/Reception Refurbished.
2022
Additional Strothman line installed Bay D3.
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