75 years BARBE

75 years company BARBE

It started small in the tranquil town of Burgkirchen an der Alz in Upper Bavaria. Our founder created products that offered practical solutions for everyday challenges in private households. Today, we do this worldwide with products for various surface coatings. And by harmonizing entire processes, we help our customers ensure that their production runs as optimally as possible – now and for the future.

Founded in 1949 by Hans Werner Barbe, our company celebrates its 75th anniversary in the year 2024.

The story of Barbe GmbH is an impressive tale of entrepreneurial foresight, innovation, and global expansion. Founded in 1949 by Hans W. Barbe, in a time of economic reconstruction following World War II, he laid the foundation for a company that would rise to become a leading manufacturer in its field. With a clear vision and a strong commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, Hans W. Barbe set the stage for a future of success.

The company’s trajectory took a significant turn in the late 1950s when it moved its base to Wiesbaden. This strategic move opened new avenues for growth and development. Wiesbaden, as a city within the Rhine-Main area with its thriving economy and strategic location, proved to be an ideal setting for Barbe to expand its business activities.

Barbe’s breakthrough came in the late 1970s with the introduction of the PROMOL® products for the rubber processing industry. These innovative products revolutionized the industry and cemented Barbe's position as a market leader. The success of the PROMOL® series was a clear testament to the company’s dedication to innovation and quality.

The stage for international expansion was set by Thomas Barbe. Under his visionary leadership, the company began to extend its business activities beyond Germany’s borders. This global outlook led to significant successes in Europe and marked the beginning of Barbe’s presence on the international stage.

In 1986, Barbe opened a production site in the USA, followed by the initiation of production in Thailand in 2001. This expansion into the USA and Asia was a strategic move that opened up new markets and established the company on the global stage. Barbe’s international presence strengthened its global reach and underscored the company’s commitment to growth and innovation.

Today, the company is led by the third generation of the Barbe family, which underscores the longevity and sustainability of the family enterprise. This ongoing leadership by the family preserves the company's values and commitment to quality and customer satisfaction while exploring new avenues for growth and innovation in a rapidly changing global environment.

The story of Barbe, from its humble beginnings in the late 1940s to its current status as a leading manufacturer, is an impressive testament to the vision of its founders and the hard work of the many people who have contributed to the company's success. It is a story of adaptability, innovation, and global expansion that has carried the company through the decades.

The first products: household aids

The first products of our company were TOPFBLANK and ABFLUSSKLAR:

  • TOPFBLANK was used for the removal of limescale, which results from the use of hard water. It was specifically designed to effectively eliminate the calcareous deposits that form on surfaces and in appliances such as kettles, pots, and pans when water is heated.
  • ABFLUSSKLAR was a powerful drain cleaner for household use, aimed at dissolving hair, grease, soap scum, and other everyday contaminants that occur in kitchen and bathroom drains.

In the early 1950s, these products were developed, produced, packaged, and delivered to department stores by our founder Hans Werner Barbe.