Our story spanning over 50 years

The company NORM + DREH H.G KNAPP KG was founded by Velbert manufacturer Hans Günter Knapp. A small section of the owner's factory for precision turned parts served as storage space. The first employees for warehousing, sales, purchasing and administration were hired. Employees from the previous factory took on some tasks in personal union.

After overcoming the initial difficulties, a homogeneous team developed from 1976 and the basis of a very successful organization.

The first big move. NORM+DREH and Drehteilefabrik moved into a newly built, much larger building. Appropriate storage and office space was finally available. In the same year, the previous authorized signatory Alfons Waldhoff and his wife acquired the first company shares in NORM+DREH.

The positive business development continued even during general economic fluctuations. In just a few years, the number of customers multiplied. The Waldhoff family acquired the entire company shares. The two sons Thomas Waldhoff and Klaus Waldhoff were now also shareholders.

The steady increase in business volume required a further expansion of warehouse capacity. A 6000 sqm plot of land was purchased in the neighborhood and the current warehouse was built. Options for the future are secured locally.

During this period, in addition to the KG, the two shareholders Thomas Waldhoff and Klaus Waldhoff founded Vertriebs- GmbH, which has been involved in expanding its active business ever since. This year, we also completed the implementation of our quality assurance system.

The self-developed system focuses on ensuring high-quality products and measures that stand out from the crowd. Since then, numerous customer awards have confirmed our position as a trusted and preferred supplier.

This was followed in 1997 by certification of the established quality management system. The words of praise from the auditor, who directly suggested that we participate in quality awards, are unforgettable.

We start the year right in the new administration building next to the warehouse. Werner Nachtigall is the first employee to celebrate his 25th anniversary.

Wolfgang Eckstein is celebrating his 25th anniversary at the company.

Thomas Waldhoff is celebrating his 25th anniversary at the company.

By converting and expanding the shelving systems, we are increasing storage capacity.

In view of international business relationships, the name of the company is being adjusted. The new company name Associated NORM+DREH GmbH thus also supports the trend towards increased cooperation with other medium-sized companies.

Harry Freund is celebrating his 25th anniversary at the company.

Despite the global economic crisis, sales declines in some market areas can be successfully cushioned by new business. Compared to many other companies, we are getting through the general crisis without any staff reductions or short-time work and are closing the year on a positive note.

Further expansion of storage capacities.

Equipping incoming and shipping areas with vacuum technology to improve ergonomics and increase effectiveness.

Upgrading the test laboratory with various measuring equipment. Acquisition of a new optical and contactless measurement system to optimize quality management.

Werner Nachtigall is celebrating his 40th anniversary at the company. Optimization of IT-supported business processes through new and more modern processes, as well as new and updated hardware and software.

We have joined the key region, the industrial network of the Velbert/Heiligenhaus region. Transition to ISO 9001:2015. Complete overhaul of our public image and marketing activities: Our service connects!

In order to further optimize our business processes and remain sustainable, we have switched to a new ERP system.

Our team is strengthened by a new area manager: Nicole Höhl is taking over responsibilities from Wolfgang Eckstein, who has now retired well after more than 40 years of great commitment to the company.

Introduction of a new document management system.

We started the new year with a more modern website. Internal processes were optimized and we were able to further improve our productivity through the use of modern technologies.

We continue to invest in the future of our employees and our company. Further restructuring was carried out internally in order to adapt to market developments.

Sabine Schröder is celebrating her 25th anniversary.

We are starting 2020 with new production options and a more mature service portfolio. NORM+DREH is increasingly distinguishing itself in the area of customer-specific production parts.

As part of further digitization and advancing global market requirements, we have reorganized our departments and responsibilities. Even before the corona pandemic had a major impact on Germany, Thomas Waldhoff was able to celebrate his 40th anniversary as a company in January.

In order to reduce the risk of infection in connection with the corona pandemic to a minimum, clear safety measures were established at an early stage, which were very well accepted and implemented by employees.

The general order situation is developing very positively for us — despite the pandemic, the company closed 2020 with growth in sales and profit.

Major changes were pending for our company in 2021: The ongoing pandemic and the increasing order backlog required a rethink in many areas of the company. In this context, we optimized internal interfaces and expanded the home office connections so that it is now possible to work completely from anywhere.

With these measures, we were able to grow economically despite the external circumstances and continue to deliver the usual service. We have successfully had the existing environmental management system certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14001 and introduced various measures that will further improve our ecological footprint.

We were able to say goodbye to our two long-time employees Werner Nachtigall and Harry Freund (a total of over 80 years with the company) — to whom we owe a large part of the company's history — into well-deserved retirement at the end of the year.

In contrast, our trainee Jörn Flockenhaus was able to successfully complete his training and is now an integral part of our team.

We look back on a very successful year 2021 and are pleased with the positive development.

After a very successful previous year, we continued our growth and achieved a new record result in 2022 despite continued difficult external influences. We are in the midst of a generational change, which not only affects management — we have also continued to rejuvenate ourselves in sales and have gained an experienced employee with Altan Güngör, among others.

Due to increased order backlogs and current forecasts, we are planning further staff additions over the next few months. In the area of digitization, we are also making progress and have replaced old systems with online variants in many areas, in order to be able to work more flexibly in the area of home office or field service, among other things.

Next year, just in time for the company's 50th anniversary, we will complete the long-planned change in management and, with Timo and Mark Waldhoff, will finally usher in the transition to a new generation.

We are optimistic about the future and look forward to continuing to grow together with our employees in the future.

Together with the current and already retired long-standing employees, we are celebrating 50 years of company existence this year and at the same time are able to announce the successful generational change in management: sons Timo and Mark Waldhoff were appointed to the management board on 01.07.2023 and will continue the company as key managing directors with a total of 25 years of operating experience.
Mr. Thomas Waldhoff will continue to participate in operational business as managing partner. Mr. Klaus Waldhoff will leave as managing director on 30.06.2023, but will remain with the company as a shareholder.

We have further strengthened our employee structure and, in Christian Zimmermann, added a tech-savvy employee to our sales team. Svenja Schulze has developed very well internally in the area of quality management and actively supports our QMB. With Eloísa Méndez, we were also able to recruit another experienced employee in the back office — overall, a positive development that we are pleased about.