resopal

Messestand auf der Interzum, 1959
Stand for the Interzum show, 1959
1998 geht die Resopal GmbH in den Besitz des weltweit operierenden
amerikanischen Laminatherstellers Wilsonart International
über, der Teil des ITW-Konzerns (Illinois Tool Works Inc.) ist.
In November 16, 1867 August Hermann Römmler founds a
company in Spremberg in the Lower Lusatia for recycling waste
from cloth and hat production. The production of cotton flocks as
a filler for gramophone record production brings Römmler into
contact with plastics at an early stage. Until 1905 Hermann
Römmler junior brings the production of electrotechnical insulating
material to maturity using such plastics. The electrotechnical
department becomes independent and advances to become the
leading special factory for high-quality insulating materials. With
the development of the pressure-heat process for hardenable plastics
Römmler soon becomes next to the Bakelite company the
pioneer in plastics technology.
In 1917 the company is converted into a joint stock company
with administrative headquarters in Berlin. From 1919 onwards
the phenol formaldehyde condensation method developed in the
laboratory is used on a large industrial scale for the production of
synthetic resins, mouldings and insulating boards. In the 1920s
the Römmler AD develops pressed materials on the basis of formaldehyde
resins and secures with patents a leading position in
the long term in the field of aminoplastics.
In 1929 BBC acquires a holding in the company and in 1930
it acquires the majority shareholding before taking it over completely
in 1938.
In 1930 Römmler registers the RESOPAL® patent and produces
the first decorative boards: The galley in a Zeppelin is fitted
out in red RESOPAL®. In 1945 the production facilities, in which
finally 2500 persons were employed, are completely dismantled
by the Soviet occupation forces.
Installation in Hamburg, 1958
Installation in Hamburg, 1958
In 1946 the company resumes the production as insulating
materials department of BBC in the old sugar mill on the present
company site in Gross-Umstadt. Resopal’s fortunes are restored
with the modern built-in kitchen and the kidney table of 1950s.
In 1971 the product name, which in the meantime has achieved
a degree of familiarity of 85 percent, also becomes the name
of the company.
In 1973 Resopal starts the large-scale industrial production
of postforming worktops and becomes the leading kitchen
worktop manufacturer in Germany.
In 1987 the Swiss Forbo AG acquires a majority holing in the
BBC subsidiary. As a consequence the building division is expanded.
The RESOPLAN® facade board becomes a further pillar of the
company.
In 1998 the Resopal GmbH is acquired by the worldwide operating
American laminate manufacturer Wilsonart International,
which is a part of the ITW-Group (Illinois Tool Works Inc.).
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