The history of the Röchling family firm

Family tradition since 1822

The history of the Röchling family firm dates back to 1822. For the past 186 years, the extending Röchling family has always maintained close links with the company and its development. For nearly two centuries, the family has ensured continuity in change. With its decisions, it has accompanied and supported the company in its progress from a coal merchant via a steel company and a phase as a conglomerate to its status today as an international plastics group.

The over 200 shareholders maintain constant close contact with the Röchling Group. The shareholders’ meeting elects the Advisory Board, on which family members and external experts sit. The Advisory Board discusses and decides the Röchling Group’s central strategic direction.

1822 – 1881

Röchling = Coal

The “nucleus” of today’s Röchling Plastics Group was a coal business in the Saarland. In the mid-nineteenth century, Röchling began to produce coal and then moved into the promising iron processing industry. In its pursuit for iron, a high-quality material that was used in nearly all industries, the company laid the foundation for its commercial success.

1881 – 1978

Röchling = Steel

At Röchling, the iron and steel era began with the acquisition of the Völklingen ironworks in 1881. The acquisition quickly developed into a modern blast furnace, using innovative technologies and manufactu- ring processes to make quality high-grade steel. Röchling moved into plastics processing in 1920 by acquiring Holzveredelung GmbH, Berlin.

1978 – 2005

Conglomerate

In the course of the international steel crisis, Röchling reviewed its corporate strategy. Moving away from coal and steel, it opened up various new lines of business. Röchling acquired companies and shareholdings in communications, automotive, measurement, and control technology. From 1982, expansion of its successful plastics processing division was intensified.

Since 2006

Röchling = Plastics

Röchling again concentrated on a material with a future. The change of strategy from a conglomerate to a plastics group led to the disposal of all companies that were not involved in plastics technology. Röchling brought this restructuring program to a successful conclu- sion in 2005 and began in 2006 to expand its plastics processing by acquiring companies that were a sensible match to the portfolio.