Since the company's foundation in 1936, ECKOLD and sheet metal working have been progressing hand in hand. The company founder Walter Eckold was a former employee of the aircraft manufacturer Junkers, who incidentally was the first to produce a plane with a hull made entirely from sheet metal.
Building the first full-metal aircraft was obviously a major achievement, and Walter Eckold contributed to it by inventing the "one-man" riveting method and a new technique for the shrinking of sheet metal. He also designed various innovative instruments and gauges. At his own company, he took these sheet metal working methods one step further and designed the first metal shrinking and stretching machines. Over time, these machines were developed and improved further and still form the core of the ECKOLD product range.
A similarly advanced approach was adopted for the development of the ECKOLD clinching technology. ECKOLD continued demonstrating its pioneering capabilities, as its clinching technique for the joining of sheet metal gradually conquered the market in the 1980s.
ECKOLD is one of the most experienced manufacturers of tools and plants for sheet metal working. Its product range includes everything from standard machines to customised solution for highly specialised tasks.
ECKOLD provides its customers in the automotive and aerospace industries, ship and wagon builders as well as companies in other sectors all over the world with advanced solutions for the forming, joining and punching of sheet metal and profiles. The company also assist its customers in the development of innovative products. From vintage cars to space rockets – ECKOLD products make sure that sheet metal panels are worked with highest precision.
Renowned companies in more than 100 countries all over the globe trust in ECKOLD products for their sheet metal working. They know that ECKOLD will always provide them with the innovative solutions they are looking for.
Milestones
- 1936: Walter Eckold sets up his own company in Wernigerode am Harz, as he wishes to develop his ideas and experience in the area of jig making and precision tool manufacturing.
- 1948: Following the expropriation of the company under the new GDR regime, the company relocates to St. Andreasberg where it is re-established as Walter Eckold Vorrichtungs- und Gerätebau. The company builds on the patents acquired by the owner and continues designing tools and machines for chipless cold forming of sheet metal and profiles.
- The first machines built at the new factory are designed for the production of safety guards, car wings and tractor roofs.
- 1950: Start of series production of machines and tools for universal sheet metal and profile forming,
- marketed as ECKOLD Kraftformer, ECKOLD Handformer, and ECKOLD Elastikformer.
- 1957: Foundation of W. Eckold AG Chur/Switzerland with the objective of extending ECKOLD's export business.
- 1975: The product range is expanded by hydraulically operated mobile tools (portable forming machines).
- 1977: Establishment of contract production company Eckold-Biegetechnik for the supply of manufacturers of commercial vehicles and rail wagons.
- 1980 to 1998: Establishment of ECKOLD sales offices in Great Britain, France, the Czech Republic and Japan.
- 1981: Launch of new ECKOLD clinching technique as an innovative method for the joining of sheet metal workpieces.
- 1983: Relocation to new factory building.
- 1996: First certification according to ISO 9001:2000.
- 1998: Sale of first robot clinching machine for the automotive industry.
- 2003: First certification according to VDA 6.4.
- 2005: Clinching elements from ECKOLD have become an established technology in car manufacturing all over the world.
- 2010: Launch of first self-piercing riveting machine.
- 2011: ECKOLD celebrates 75th anniversary.
- 2012: At the EuroBLECH trade fair, ECKOLD is awarded the EFB Innovative Allianz Seal of Quality by the European Research Association for Sheet Metal Working.
- 2014: Launch of the KF 675, the latest model of the ECKOLD Kraftformer range at the EuroBLECH trade fair.
- 2016: ECKOLD celebrates 80th anniversary and holds an open day.
- 2016: Introduction of the new ECKOLD logo and rebranding of the company.
- 2017: Launch of the KF 470, the latest model of the ECKOLD Kraftformer range at the EuroBLECH trade fair.
- 2017: Certification according to ISO 9001:2015 since 1996.
- 2017: Foundation of a subsidiary in Győr/Hungary.
- 2018: Solvency certification by Creditreform.
- 2018: Launch of new portable, handheld clinching pliers and clinching frames.
- 2018: Start of construction of a technology centre.
- 2019: Foundation of a sales office in Duluth/USA.
- 2020: Completion and occupation of the newly built technology centre
- 2021: New developments: servo-motorised self-pierce riveting system, press-fitting of functional parts, cutting clinching and pull-through embossing
- 2021: Company premises receive an official street name "Walter-Eckold-Str." for the first time
- 2022: Revolutionisation of robot teach-in processes with ECKOLD TechCap
- 2023: New Kraftformer tool programme is launched