BESSEY History

Independent by tradition

The BESSEY Group has maintained its independence as a family business since 1889. This independence enables a direct and clear alignment of our strategy and organization. For the workforce and all stakeholders, this signifies consistency and preservation of values in all decisions, ensuring sustainability and long-term success. The current shareholders are descendants of company founder Max Bessey. Today, BESSEY sees itself as a family in which the shareholders, management and staff act as a team. This independent approach continues to define BESSEY and safeguards the company's unique market position.

The picture shows the 25 member BESSEY staff in 1913. The boss, Karl Bessey, is sitting at the bottom left of the table.

COMPANY HISTORY

1889 

THE BEGINNING

Foundation of a bright steel drawing mill by Max Bessey in Stuttgart.

1912

NEW GENERATION

Continuation by his nephew Karl Bessey.

1926

FIRST EXPANSION

Ing. Eugen Mayer takes over the management of the company. Under his leadership, the production program has significantly expanded in the dimensional and quality areas.

1928

UNIFICATION

Marriage of Dr. Ing. Eugen Mayer with Erna Bessey, widow of Karl Bessey.

1936

THE BIG BANG

Patents were granted for a new type of malleable cast iron screw clamp and thus the start of the production of clamping tools.

1944 

EXPANSION I

Establishment of a branch factory in Bietigheim for the production of clamping tools.

1961 

EXPANSION II

Expansion of the plant in Bietigheim and start of bright steel production at this site.

1966 

GENERATIONAL CHANGE

Transfer of the company to the daughter Dr. Erna Fetscher and the son Dr. Theodor Mayer as managing partner.

1979

COMPETENCE EXPANSION I

Acquisition of the Ernst Diener scissors factory and thus expansion of the BESSEY product range to include ERDI SCISSORS.

1983

GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION

Concentration of bright steel production in new production halls at the Bietigheim plant and sale of the site in Stuttgart.

2003 

GLOBAL EXPANSION I

Acquisition of sales partners in the strategically important market of North America origin of today's subsidiary: BESSEY Tools North America.

2004

COMPETENCE EXPANSION II

Acquisition of the GROSS STABIL clamping tool brand and integration of the product range as part of the global growth strategy.

2023

COMPETENCE EXPANSION II

First image film in the corporate history of BESSEY Tool for further global expansion.