A JOURNEY THROUGH
200 YEARS OF HISTORY
To mark our anniversary, we take a look back and at our path to a successful future. One thing is clear: there is always a solution at Semperit.
1824–1872
Foundation and early years
In 1824, tailor Johann Nepomuk Reithoffer lays the foundations for today’s company with his patent for waterproof fabrics. The first European factory for rubber products is established in Wimpassing, Lower Austria.
Johann Nepomuk Reithoffer’s factory in Wimpassing in 1852
In 1872, 800 workers are already employed in the factory in Wimpassing. Every month, they produce 15,000 pairs of shoes, 10,000 dozen combs, 2,500 bales, 3,000 pounds of rubber products for technical purposes, 500 coats and skirts and 1,500 rubber threads. A large proportion of the products are already exported worldwide.
1872–1918
A European multinational arises
The merger of several rubber companies makes Semperit the largest rubber goods producer in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Semperit goes public on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 1890.
In 1872, Reithoffer’s sons merge with the German Harburg rubber factory.
One of the most important products is the “Harburg-Wien” rubber tyre, internationally recognised as a quality product. Around 1900, a wide variety of products are manufactured, including balloon envelopes.
.jpeg)
1918–1938
Austria’s second largest industrial group
After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Semperit is able to regain a foothold through expansion and the establishment of new sites. In 1926, Semperit is Austria’s second-largest industrial group with 9,000 employees and nine factories. The age of tyres is dawning.
In 1929, tire production is already Semperit's largest branch of production.
The increasing motorization in the interwar period brings a growth spurt for Semperit tires.
The economic crisis of the 1930s leads to a dramatic revenue decline. The wide variety of the production programme proves to be uneconomical. 40,000 items are produced in Wimpassing, which is the most extensive range on the entire continent. Following a reorganisation of the company, business recovers from 1936 onwards.
1938–1945
Semperit under National Socialism
Semperit is integrated into the wartime economic system of the Nazi era. Forced labourers are employed. Despite the adverse circumstances, General Manager Franz Josef Messner is committed to above-average social benefits at Semperit. He is also active as a resistance fighter and is executed in the last days of the war in 1945.
Women dominate everyday working life in Wimpassing during the war.
1945–1973
Reconstruction in post-war Europe
After disassembling the plants as reparations to the victorious powers and thanks to substantial investments, partially from the Marshall Plan, Semperit gets started with modern production facilities. Strategic stakes in European companies provide a boost to internationalisation. In 1965, the Semperit Group exports goods to 100 countries around the world. 15,000 employees in 24 production and sales companies and an annual production of 158,000 tonnes underpin the Semperit Group’s position as an international flagship in 1973.
The demand after the war is huge. Semperit produces in three shifts.
The blue Semperit tire advertisement shines over the Danube Canal in Vienna during the years of the economic miracle. In the mid-1960s, almost three million car tires are produced annually in Traiskirchen.
Semperit is one of Austria's best-known brands in the post-war period and is omnipresent, including at the "Semperit Rally". This is the first cross-Austrian rally event in post-war Austria.
The new Semperit high-rise in Vienna becomes the symbol of an up-and-coming company that is an international flagship of Austrian industry.
1973–1989
Oil price shock and years of restructuring
Semperit’s tyre business collapses due to the oil crisis of the 1970s. In 1985, the tyre division is sold to Continental. After a difficult restart, product streamlining leads to initial restructuring successes and the development potential of technical products is accelerated. The takeover of a conveyor belt plant near Paris in 1988 makes Semperit the largest supplier of textile conveyor belts in Europe.
Semperit repositions itself. Investments are made in a product range that is concentrated on gloves, hoses, moulded goods and conveyor belts.
The previously highly profitable tire business collapses along with the automotive market.
.jpeg)
Satisfied faces after the sale of the tire division. From left to right: Semperit Tire CEO Günther Sieber, Semperit CEO Franz Josef Leibenfrost, Continental CEO Helmut Werner, Creditanstalt CEO and Semperit Supervisory Board Chairman Hannes Androsch
1989-1998
Asia pioneer Semperit
From 1989, General Manager Rainer Zellner shapes the development of Semperit for almost three decades. Under his leadership, the Group becomes the cost leader in many areas and pursues a course of international growth. Semperit is one of the first Austrian companies to have production facilities in Asia. Under reorganization manager Rainer Zellner, all business areas achieve sustainable profitability.
In 1989, the first glove factory in Thailand goes into operation together with the joint venture partner Sri Trang.
This is followed by dynamic expansion. By the end of 1998, annual production had risen to 2.6 billion examination and protective gloves. This makes Siam Sempermed the largest global glove factory. Exports are made all over the world.
Parallel to the expansion into Asia, the Wimpassing site is modernized.
1998–2011
Rising to the top league of the industry
The focus is on internationalisation, innovation and cost leadership. Europe’s largest hose factory in Odry, Czech Republic, becomes part of the Semperit Group in 1998. The conveyor belt segment Sempertrans expands into Poland and takes over the Bełchatów conveyor belt plant in several stages. At the turn of the millennium, Semperit is present on three continents with 20 production sites and 6,000 employees.
With the acquisitions in the Czech Republic and Poland, Semperit has become one of the big players in the global hose and conveyor belt business.
.jpeg)
At the turn of the millennium, Semperit exceeds the revenue threshold of 5 billion Austrian schillings. The product portfolio is consistently competitive.
Innovative strength is further enhanced with the new R&D centre in Wimpassing.
2011–2023
Global player Semperit
Semperit implements the largest investment programme in the company’s history and expands its production capacities worldwide in response to strong demand. After a phase of global growth, the strategic decision is made to focus on the Industrial Sector. Semperit divests its glove segment Sempermed. In 2023, Semperit acquires the RICO Group, a global technology leader in liquid silicone and mould making, thereby strengthening its industrial core business.
Capacities are being expanded around the world. From Odry to Shanghai, from Bełchatów to Kamunting and from Deggendorf to Newnan.
