Want to know more about Weber Marking Systems? Discover its history below.
Weber Marking Systems: The strength of an international group
Bluhm Weber Group was formed in 1980 following the merger of Bluhm GmbH and Weber Systems Inc, two companies with a proven position on the marking industry. Today, this merger enables Weber Marking Systems to be both a manufacturer and a global supplier of industrial labeling and inkjet marking solutions. The group is active internationally, with European subsidiaries in Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, UK, Ireland and France.
The European headquarters, from a one-man business to a large company operating worldwide
Our European headquarters are located at the German parent company, Bluhm GmbH. The story begins in 1968, when Eckhard Bluhm founded his own marking company at age 29. The founder still visits his office in Rheinbreitbach every day. And it’s a family business, as his three sons also run different branches of the company, enabling the second generation to ensure the business’ continuity.
Over the years, Weber Marking Systems has developed numerous labeling and marking systems, including a labeling machine that for the first time allowed the continuous labeling of pallet sides or a high-speed labeling machine that can label 2,400 cartons of different heights per hour. Currently, the group is working, among other things, on electrical systems in an eco-responsible logic.
Key dates
1968: Eckhard Bluhm founds his own marking company
In the 1960s, the marking technique is simple. Box labeling is done manually, with labels and dies requiring reproduction with self-inking hand stamps or stencils. Also, inventory management is often chaotic. This was a far cry from today’s labeling, which optimizes production and logistics processes and ensures product traceability. Eckhard Bluhm recognized the sector’s potential and set up his own marking company in 1968.
1969: Partnership with Weber Marking Systems Inc.
Immediately after the company was founded, Eckhard Bluhm obtained the rights to sell in Germany from Weber Marking Systems Inc, USA.
1971: Construction of the headquarters
A building is built in Unkel as the company headquarters. Today, the Bluhm guest house is located here, where international employees and partners can meet each other.
1978: First electronic label printers
At the end of the 1970s, numerous technological advances such as the first electronic needle printers revolutionize the marking sector. The first electronic label printer, Legitronic, enables variable marking for the first time. Bluhm exhibits this system at the Interpack packaging trade fair in 1978. At last, products and packaging can be marked automatically and variably! The 1980s saw the breakthrough of direct marking by continuous inkjet printers on production lines.
1980: Creation of the group
Weber Marking Systems Inc, USA and Bluhm Systeme GmbH founded a joint venture, Weber Marking Systems GmbH, which specialized in machine construction and label production. In the following years, subsidiaries were established in various European countries. The group quickly became a leader in the sector.
2009: Construction of a development and production site
The German headquarters, which have meanwhile been relocated to Rheinbreitbach, become the central development and production site for the group in Europe with a total area of 13,000 square meters.
2019 : European headquarters’ expansion
The company expands the Rheinbreitbach site with the construction of a fifth building. Enough space to continue its rapid growth. This is especially true in the technical area, in order to respond to the many market developments such as Industry 4.0 and individual customer requirements.
At Weber Marking Systems, we support you with state-of-the-art solutions to meet your marking, coding, labeling and related consumables needs. Our industrial labeling systems, as well as our Markoprint inkjet printers are perfectly suited for integration into your production lines!
