Helbig & Lang - The surface finishing specialist
History
- 2023
Generational change at the top of the company
In 2023, company founder Theo Helbig handed over the management of the company to his son Benjamin Helbig.
Read moreAfter more than 12 years with the company, son Benjamin Helbig officially takes over the management from his father and company founder Theo Helbig. He will continue to be available to the company in an advisory capacity. Company founder Manfred Lang also continues to act as Managing Director for the Bad Kreuznach site.
Close - 2022
Commissioning of photovoltaic systems
In order to counteract rising energy costs, two PV systems were planned, installed and commissioned on the production halls.
Read moreThe two photovoltaic systems, each with 182.5 kW (total 365 kW) on the roofs of the halls at the Worms site, generate approx. 335,000 kWh of electricity per year, of which approx. 60 % is used for the company's own consumption. In addition, the generation of electricity from renewable energies avoids more than 200 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Close - 2020
Reorganization, renovation and growth
Helbig & Lang modernizes and enlarges facilities and processes at Bad Kreuznach site
Read moreIn 2020, the reorganization and growth at the Bad Kreuznach site were completed after several months of renovation work. As a result, the interfaces of the individual production steps and the transport of goods were optimized. To implement the improvements, it was necessary to change the location of the complete pickling and blasting equipment on the production site. In addition to the relocation of the facilities, a further new and modern blasting cabin for large parts was installed. In this way we increased the capacity on the site.
Close - 2017
20th anniversary, new production hall, QIB membership and DB approval for powder coatings
2017 was an eventful year for Helbig & Lang: 20th anniversary, expansion of production capacities by a new hall with new facilities, membership in the QIB - Qualitätsgemeinschaft für Industriebeschichtung e. V., in connection with the renewal of the DB approval for powder coatings.
Read moreIn October 2017 Helbig & Lang had two reasons to celebrate. On the one hand the 20th anniversary of the company and on the other hand the commissioning of a new 1500 m² production hall.
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Since our company was founded in 1997, we have pursued a steady growth course. Originally started with 8 employees, today we are more than 50 employees at 2 sites. However, growth for us also means qualitative progress, further development and improvement.
This also includes our new hall built in 2017 with 2 new liquid painting cabins, which are also designed for the special features of hydro-based paints. In the back of the hall there is a new flash-off zone, which allows a high quality coating without dust inclusions. In the flash-off zone, the temperature and humidity are regulated. We have also created additional storage capacity for customer parts both indoors and outdoors. With our new hall and our qualified employees we want to continue to fulfil the increasing quality demands of our customers and continue to act as a reliable partner within the value chain.
Another highlight was the successful QIB approval in 2017, and our membership in the QIB Qualitätsgemeinschaft Industriebeschichtung e.V. is an additional quality feature for us and our customers.
For approval, we had to subject our pre-treatment and the subsequent coating result to various tests. In addition, we are externally monitored annually by an independent testing institute to ensure that the quality requirements continue to be fulfilled. This is only possible with well-trained employees and self-monitoring of the current production. Furthermore the approval for powder coatings of Deutsche Bahn according to DBS 918 340 was also renewed. - 2013
Enlargement of the production hall
Helbig & Lang enlarges the plot area of the location in Worms about 800 m², increases the production area and puts into operation a new blasting facility.
Read moreDue to these enlargements the company became able to fulfill additional logistical services. In order to protect the clients’ parts from weather conditions, the indoor warehouse capacity was enlarged. Furthermore a high tech blasting facility was put into operation.
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Sand blasting or glass bead blasting can be applied as surface finishing or as pre-treatment for the following coating of the parts. An integrated magnetic separator cleans the blasting material from ferritic residues and enables the treatment of different materials (aluminum, steel, stainless steel) in an efficient way. Thanks to the lasting growth more than 40 employees are part of the company Helbig & Lang. - 2012
Intensification of the international business operations
Helbig & Lang become more and more an inherent coater for international business partners and grows through the direct contact to globally operating customers.
Read moreThe painted parts of Helbig & Lang are used for vehicles, machinery and equipments, which come into operation worldwide. Parts for a beverage filling system in Southeast Asia, the tram in Casablanca and some offshore projects at the North sea – these are examples where Helbig & Lang contributed its part for a successful implementation. Conditioned by the close contact to suppliers from globally operating industrial enterprises, the international projects were no rarity.
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In 2012 the company succeeded to intensify the direct contact to final customers, which was reflected in the export turnover of 15% in the fiscal year 2012/13. Even today, among the parts in the production plant of Helbig & Lang there are definitely some parts which come into operation beyond the German borders. The Made-in-Germany quality of the surfaces is still a valuable seal of approval. - 2008
Enlargement of the production capacity
Helbig & Lang enlarges the production area of the location in Worms about 900 m². In the new section you can find two cabins for liquid painting of big parts including a heat recovery system.
Read moreThanks to the enhanced order situation, the in 2003 constructed hall was enlarged in 2008. The high qualified employees as well as the gained experience regarding the handling of complex water-based painting systems (hydro) provided a profound know-how in the sector of wet painting. Whenever a personnel intensive surface treatment requires high skilled employees, Helbig & Lang is the right contact. With new painting cabins including a connection to the conveyance and crane technology, parts of nearly every weight and size can be handled. Furthermore a heat recovery system was implemented. The system conducts the already heated exhaust air of the cabin back into the circulation and enables a reduction of energy. Besides the optimized energy costs the heat recovery makes a contribution to an environmentally friendly handling of natural resources.
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Meanwhile the public skepticism of the starting time had turned. The press wrote: “Easygoing despite of threatening recession - … how important medium-sized companies are for the domestic economy is proven by Helbig & Lang in an impressive way.”
Despite the world economic crises the level of 36 employees, which was quite high in that situation, could be maintained. - 2007
Entire renewal of the pickling plant
Helbig & Lang renewed the pickling plant at the site in Bad Kreuznach.
Read moreIn the course of an internal restructuring a new pickling plant was implemented. There it is possible to degrease, clean, pickle, purge and passivate the stainless steel parts. Pickling is possible as immersion process in a pickling bath as well as spraying with a lance. In the neutralization facility the contaminated water is recycled and can be lead back into the water circulation.
Close - 2006
Commissioning of a new washing facility to prepare parts
Helbig & Lang establishes a washing cabin which can be used for an automatic pre-treatment of the parts.
Read moreFor the results and the functionality of the painting, the pre-treatment of the parts is of high relevance.
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An insufficient adherence is often caused by a bad pre-treatment. In 2006/07 Helbig & Lang therefore decided to optimize the capability regarding the chemical pretreatment. Within the washing cabin diluted, eco-friendly substances are used, which allow excellent coating results. The parts are prepared through (high tempered) degreasing, pickling, passivating, phosphating and demineralized purging (purified water) for the further coating. - 2003
Commissioning of a new production hall
Helbig & Lang establishes a new production hall of 810 m² in Worms. In 4 paint shops for liquid painting and powder coating it is possible to handle bigger volumes of orders.
Read moreBeside the enlarged capacity for wet painting a new facility for powder coating including drying cabins was put into operation. Therewith the company enlarged its service portfolio by an additional surface treatment. Furthermore the entire hall area was equipped with half-automated materials-handling-systems. The parts that have to be coated can be moved within the entire hall at the push of a button without interrupting the flow of material. Positive consequences are the process efficiency and a short processing time. With more than 300 guests the company celebrated the opening of the new building. Representatives of the involved construction firms, customers, suppliers, further partners and of course the employees and their families came to celebrate the new building.
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The enlargement of the production capacity let raise the number of employees to 29. - 2001
Entire renewal of the paint shop
Helbig & Lang invests in a new cabin for wet painting in Bad Kreuznach.
Read moreIn order to be able to still deliver high-quality painting results, the company renewed the paint shop in Bad Kreuznach. The cabin was equipped with efficient air and filter systems to satisfy the high customer expectations regarding the surface quality. Still today, wet lacquering is a tight component of the company’s performance portfolio, in Bad Kreuznach as well as in Worms.
Close - 1999
First certification of the quality management according to ISO 9000
As the first job-shop coater of the region Helbig & Lang receives the certification according to the international valid standard DIN EN ISO 9000 et seqq.
Read moreRight from the beginning Helbig & Lang set the objective to provide high-quality performance. All quality securing measures have to be planned systematically, recorded and processed according to standard norms. In that way the customers’ quality expectations (optics, adherence, corrosion protection, coating thickness, gloss level etc.) can be fully satisfied. Due to the continuous improvements of the processes, the performance is steadily optimized.
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Through the continuous certification the functionality of the quality management is proven by a external third party. - 1999
Establishment of the site in Bad Kreuznach
Helbig & Lang establishes the second site of the company in Bad Kreuznach.
Read moreTwo years after the foundation of the enterprise the management board decided to start up an additional site in Bad Kreuznach. The origins can be compared to that one in Worms, as the outsourcing strategy of the company KHS represented the cornerstone for the set-up of this site. Helbig & Lang took over 12 employees and continued the business for own account. Still today the strong relationship between KHS and Helbig & Lang forms the basis of a successful collaboration. Nevertheless there is an increase of new customers in Bad Kreuznach. The headquarters of Helbig & Lang is in Worms, where the financial management and the administration are located. Thanks to the connection of the two locations the company is able to operate as a reliable industrial coater in the area of Rhein-Neckar, Rhein-Main and Rhein-Nahe as well as in the supra-regional area.
Close - 1998
Entry in new industries
Helbig & Lang works on the first orders for the railway vehicle manufacturing and the utility vehicle industry.
Read moreAfter the initial phase where the focus was put on the beverage industry and local customers, the company began to treat surfaces of devices and components for the railway vehicle manufacturing and the utility vehicle industry. The lacquering of air conditioning systems, battery boxes and parts for the underbody protection made it possible to enter new business segments. Thanks to the in-house blasting plant and an extensive know-how of work steps linked to painting (e.g. masking, sealing) the company was able to handle a wide range of process steps within the company.
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Today the railway vehicle manufacturing and the utility vehicle industry represent strategically important business areas. - 1997
Foundation of the enterprise in Worms
Helbig & Lang was founded by the two master craftsman in painting.
Read moreBoth entrepreneurs were employed since the 70s respectively the 80s by the KHS AG, a manufacturer of machinery for the beverage industry. In the course of the outsourcing strategy the KHS decided to outsource the pre-fabrication (including the surface treatment) to the MBW. After 3 years the bankruptcy was inevitable. In 1997 Theo Helbig and Manfred Lang, who hold leading positions, decided to go the step of self-employment and took over 10 employees as well as the machinery of the MBW. Due to the precedent bankruptcy there was a big skepticism. Even the press could not believe that former MBW employees wanted to preserve their workplace: “There were again a lot of desolate news about the job market – The MBW faces bankruptcy. Here 136 employees are affected. Some employees do not give up and go into business by oneself with some former MBW employees.”
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With a lot of engagement, the passion of the employees as well as the support of the KHS, the first difficulties could be managed.
