Wilhelm Böllhoff, hailing from Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia, laid the foundation for our group of companies when he established the Wilhelm Böllhoff company as a national ironmongery wholesaler on 6 January 1877. He deliberately chose Epiphany Day to launch his independent business in the hope that it would prove an auspicious start for a successful company.
About Böllhoff
Our company’s history
Four generations, one common vision: enabling successful connections.
A look behind the scenes
Stories from our company history
We have been creating successful connections since 1877 – and we are proud of our long history. Follow us through it and take a look behind the scenes: What did a personal connection have to do with the founding of our company? How did Böllhoff get from Bielefeld out into the world? Find out more about these and other milestones in our stories.
- How it all began
- Böllhoff on the high seas
- A personal connection and a success story
- Our company logo through the ages
- Our way across the Atlantic
- Austria: from small beginnings to great successes
How a personal connection led to the start of the HELICOIL® success story at Böllhoff in 1954.
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In this story, you will learn more about how our logo has changed in over 145 years of company history.
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In 1964, Böllhoff expanded to the American continent for the first time - and opened branches in Brazil and Mexico.
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Over 60 years ago, on 1 July 1962, our first branch office outside Germany was established in Vienna, Austria.
Read moreImportant milestones
1877 – founded in Herdecke
Wilhelm Böllhoff from Herdecke (Germany), travelling ironmongery salesman and youngest son of master tailor Friedrich Böllhoff, sets up shop on Epiphany Day 1877. He establishes an ironmongery wholesale business focusing on metalwork, forging and mining. Right from the start, he concentrates on nationwide direct sales, extending his business beyond the borders of Westphalia.
1923 – branch office in Bielefeld
Following the French occupation of the Ruhr area, the second generation – Josef Böllhoff and family – establishes a branch in Bielefeld to safeguard the future of the business. Josef Böllhoff shifts the company’s focus to screws, nuts and threaded parts for machine construction and shipbuilding.
1928 – the passenger ship “Bremen” is constructed
Böllhoff supplies a significant quantity of the fasteners used on the ship, which goes on to set a new record for the fastest crossing of the North Atlantic on its maiden voyage in 1929.
1954 – HELICOIL® licence
In 1954, Josef Böllhoff takes a significant decision that will have a lasting impact on the future of the company: He acquires a licence for the production of thread inserts under the brand name HELICOIL®. With this move, we begin to produce fasteners ourselves for the first time, alongside our existing business activities.
1958 – HELICOIL® production
Our first production facility of our own opens in Bielefeld, where HELICOIL® thread inserts are manufactured. Production and distribution of these miraculous little fasteners alone occupy 36 employees.
1962 – Dr Wolfgang W. Böllhoff and start of internationalisation
In 1962, the third generation of the family joins the company in the person of Dr Wolfgang W. Böllhoff. He begins to look more and more beyond Germany’s borders. The opening of the first branch in Austria marks the beginning of our company’s internationalisation.
»"A future needs a past. Since 1877, we have had a passion for helping our customers establish successful connections. As a family business, we have continued our consistent development over generations, responded to various trends and created innovation. That’s our strength."
1964 – the company accompanies VW to Mexico and Brazil
Two years later, in 1964, Böllhoff undertakes its first venture in the Americas with its own production and sales facilities in Brazil and Mexico. This decision was prompted by our close supply relationship with Volkswagen, which had previously opened new production facilities in Brazil and in Mexico for its Beetle model.
1969 – the moon landing with HELICOIL®
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first men to walk on the moon. The lunar module that takes them there uses HELICOIL® threaded inserts.
1972 – start of production in France
Böllhoff establishes a production and sales facility in France, where manufacture of RIVKLE® blind rivet nuts and studs begins. This allows the company to expand into the important Italian and Spanish markets, where branch offices are subsequently established.
1990–1992 – production in Sonnewalde
The reunification of Germany opens up Eastern Europe, allowing us to establish a second German production facility in Sonnewalde in southern Brandenburg. Further branches in Southeast Europe soon follow.
1994/1998 – the fourth generation joins the company
With Wilhelm A. Böllhoff in 1994 and Michael W. Böllhoff in 1998, the fourth generation takes the helm at Böllhoff. As managing partners, they continue our consistent pursuit of internationalisation.
2000 – first production facility in the USA
Böllhoff purchases a production facility in Kendallville, Indiana, USA (near Fort Wayne). Michael W. Böllhoff is appointed manager of this facility.
2001 – branch in Shanghai
Böllhoff has maintained a strong trade relationship with China since the 1980s, and now it takes its first permanent step into the Asian market with the establishment of a sales office in Shanghai.
2004 – Böllhoff starts production in Asia
Böllhoff sets up the first Asian production facility of its own in Wuxi, China. Production of RIVKLE® blind rivet nuts and studs for the Asian market begins at a facility that starts out with 2,500 m² of floorspace.
2010 – Böllhoff in the UK
Böllhoff acquires Armstrong Precision Components (APC) in Hull, UK, strengthening its position in Europe.
2016 – further branches in Asia
With the opening of sales offices in Japan and South Korea in 2016, Böllhoff continues to expand in the Asian market. A Vietnam branch follows in 2021.
2019/2020 – expansion of logistics competence
Two central national warehouses start operations in Oelsnitz in the Vogtland district of Saxony and in Sainte-Hélène-du-Lac in France. Both logistics locations are state-of-the-art and offer plenty of space for further growth. The central warehouse in Oelsnitz also represents a significant financial milestone: With investments totalling over 40 million euros, this complex is the largest single investment in the company’s history.
2021 – HELICOIL® trademark
In October 2021, we acquire the worldwide HELICOIL® trademark. As a result, variants of the thread insert can be offered in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Japan for the first time.
2023 – 100 years in Bielefeld
A special anniversary for us: In 2023, Böllhoff has been present in Bielefeld, East-Westphalia, for 100 years now. We celebrate this milestone together with employees and their families at the Böllhoff Stadium in Bielefeld-Brackwede.
2024/2025 – new production sites in Morocco and Turkey
‘Think global, act local.’ In line with this motto, we continue to expand our global production network with new manufacturing facilities in Morocco and Turkey. While Casablanca mainly produces special fasteners for the aerospace industry, Izmir produces more than 100 million fasteners per year for the European market.
