2015 Marks Centenary for Retsch

Since its beginning as a laboratory market supplies company in 1915, Retsch is now celebrating its 100th anniversary as a leading manufacturer of equipment for the preparation and characterisation of solids in research and quality control.  Founded by Friedrich Kurt Retsch, the company manufactured its first piece of laboratory equipment in 1923 - a mortar grinder which became known worldwide as the “Retsch Mill” – this replaced tiresome manual grinding with hand mortars and earned the company an excellent reputation in the international science and research community.

Today the company holds numerous patents, with products used in many different industries such as chemistry, food, construction, pharmaceuticals or environment. The High Energy Ball Mill Emax launched last year is capable of ultrafine sample grinding down to the nanometer range. In the niche market of laboratory mills the company reports the widest product offering and covers about a fifth of the world market with an annual turnover of €50 million; the export share amounts to more than 80%.

As part of the Dutch Verder Group, Retsch is the keystone of the Scientific Division which incorporates a number of companies including Retsch Technology (optical particle analysis), Eltra (elemental analysis) and Carbolite (heat treatment technology). Its continuous growth saw the company’s recent move into new premises in Haan, near Duesseldorf, which comprises considerably larger production facilities as well as a spacious application and training center.

Managing Director Dr. Juergen Pankratz sees the future with optimism: “We have been investing in sustainable company growth for many years and our continuous success proves us right. In our 100th year we are a well established global player who will continue to focus on innovative technologies and highly qualified staff.”

Retsch will celebrate the 100^th anniversary together with all employees and their families, business partners and friends.