Ever wondered about the giants that power our world? Right here before us stands ZF Industrieantriebe Witten a testament to engineering prowess. This isn’t just a factory it’s a legacy.
ZF Industrieantriebe Witten GmbH wasn’t always ZF. It began in 1884 as Lohmann & Stolterfoht GmbH in Berlin. Max Lohmann and Max Stolterfoht revolutionized coupling technology. Their innovative friction clutch a far cry from the claw clutches of the time could operate under load. A truly groundbreaking invention.
But Berlin wasn’t the ideal location. In 1890 seeking better infrastructure and proximity to other industrial giants the company relocated to Witten in the Ruhr region. Witten became its permanent home. The company thrived. It gained fame for its marine drive technology and couplings. It expanded to include industrial and mobile applications even wind turbines.
Ownership changed over time. It was part of Mannesmann Rexroth and later Bosch Rexroth AG. A significant turning point arrived in 2015. ZF Friedrichshafen AG acquired Bosch Rexroth’s large gear division. This marked the birth of ZF Industrieantriebe Witten as we know it. A new chapter began for this already impressive company. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ZF establishing a new business area within ZF’s Industrial Technology division.
ZF Industrieantriebe Witten doesn’t just produce gears. It manufactures them for diverse industries. Mining massive construction machinery and offshore applications all rely on their robust gearboxes. They create travel swing winch and pump distributor gears. Their expertise extends to wind energy. They produce generator gearboxes capable of handling up to 9.5 MW of power. That is enough energy to power thousands of homes.
Beyond manufacturing ZF Industrieantriebe Witten is a European service center. They repair and replace large gearboxes and couplings. They handle those from Lohmann & Stolterfoht Mannesmann Rexroth and Bosch Rexroth. Their legacy extends across decades and different company names. They’ve built a strong global service network.
In 2016 nearly 900 people worked here. Today around 800 employees continue the legacy. They are experts. They’re the reason ZF Industrieantriebe Witten continues to be a world leader in industrial gear technology.
So next time you see a massive wind turbine a colossal mining excavator or even a sophisticated ropeway system remember the ingenuity and precision of ZF Industrieantriebe Witten. The gears turning within them are a testament to over a century of dedication and innovation. This is more than just a factory. It is a story of remarkable progress in industrial technology.