50 years of de Man

Automation specialist from Borgholzhausen celebrates a milestone anniversary: Half a century – that's a long time, especially in automation technology with its constant changes and advances.Over the years, de Man Automation + Service GmbH & Co. KG has managed to assert itself as a specialist for integrated automation solutions. Since 1973, the company has been developing tailor-made systems for each customer in the areas of robotics (palletizing, labeling, handling), storage and conveyor technology, including the associated after-sales service. From planning and design to mechanical and electrical design to programming and commissioning, everything is in the hands of the system integrator from Borgholzhausen. To this day, de Man is family-run; the sons of company founder Gerardus de Man – Tobias and Sebastian de Man – now manage the company. The anniversary will be celebrated at a late summer party in early September.

From control technology to robotics
It all started in Steinhagen – in 1973 Gerardus de Man founded the company de Man, specializing in electromechanical controls. In the years that followed, de Man developed trend-setting positioning controls for this time, and in 1980 PLC technology was used for the first time for Ford with a storage PLC. Automatic small parts warehouses and a production control system were developed. After a stopover in Halle/Westf. de Man moved to Industriestraße in Borgholzhausen. In 1992 a new administration building was built here, followed by a new assembly hall in 2003. The entry into robot technology in 2000 proved to be a milestone, today the development of robot systems is the company's core business. Also trend-setting: the entry of the two sons Sebastian and Tobias de Man in 2004. Today, Tobias leads the company as Managing Director and Head of Control Technology, Sebastian is in charge of sales. Whether it's the entry into RFID technology, the development of the patented wireless ChannelCar or the material flow computer "de Man MasterMind" – de Man has always kept up with the times and focused on innovations with a future. The company regularly presented its solutions at numerous trade fairs (Hannover Messe, IFFA, FachPack, Logimat, Anuga Foodtec, FMB), sometimes as a partner of Kawasaki Robotics or the "Robotics Pack Line".

Expert in palletizing
de Man has always developed solutions for a wide range of industries, from the food and chemical industries to the wood industry. Over the years, however, there has been a trend in the type of applications – more and more palletizing systems have been requested and developed, and today more than half of all orders come from the field of robot palletizing. In order to make it easier for customers to get started with this topic, de Man launched the compact modular robot cell "MRZ" in 2014. In the meantime, the automation specialist offers its customers a whole range of pre-planned modular robot cells for various applications: In addition to the MRZ, the MKA for erecting cartons, the MPZ for packing goods into cartons and the MEZ for labelling. The MEZ even made it into the top ten of the best innovations in the Robotics & Automation category at the Best of Industry Award 2021. In order to meet the steady growth in orders, de Man expanded its premises in 2020 with an additional 400 square meter warehouse. Even the Corona pandemic could not affect the good order situation. Of course, numerous well-trained specialists are also needed in order to be able to implement the demanding projects on time. For example, de Man regularly offers students the opportunity to write their bachelor's or master's thesis in the exciting environment of robot technology. Many like it so much that they stay directly in the company. Nevertheless, de Man is currently looking for further support – especially applications from electronics technicians are welcome!

Big anniversary celebration in September
Of course, 50 years must be celebrated! Already in July there are several days where an impressive palletizing system is presented to interested customers - including a company tour, coffee and nice conversations. On September 2nd there will be a big late summer party on the de Man company premises for all employees and their families as well as neighbors and suppliers. Certainly the plans for the next 50 years of de Man are already being made here. After all, the next generation is already in the starting blocks - two of Tobias and Sebastian de Man's sons are getting a taste of the company air as temporary workers.