History
Lichtgitter was founded in 1929 by Carl Martin and Allan Norman Kennedy as a company specialising in the production of gratings.
The company is now run by the family in 3rd generation and is still 100% owned by the founding family Martin.
Continuous performance and quality development as well as innovative manufacturing techniques, combined with prudent and market-driven corporate orientation have made Lichtgitter a leading manufacturer of pressure-locked gratings, forge-welded gratings and perforated metal planks with subsidiaries and joint ventures throughout the world.
Today's portfolio also includes GRP gratings, chequer plate blanks, spiral staircases, stair treads, ladder rungs, galvanising as well as steel service. For all these products, we also offer a comprehensive service package.
Lichtgitter GmbH is founded in 1929 as a company specialising in the production of gratings. An English entrepreneur looks for a good production site for his business idea to develop floor coverings which are permeable to light and where dirt and grime can fall through. By chance, he is alerted to an empty production facility in Stadtlohn which belongs to the Martin family. The production initially focuses on the production of patented welding gratings with honeycomb mesh. Complete destruction of the production facility in 1945 during World War II. Reconstruction follows in the next few years. Dr. Hans Martin acquires the company and initially continues with the production of welding racks type A and B. The production expands. The manufacture of plug grating is added. In 1961 the improved construction of the pressure locked gratings was added to the production. This product is today a fixed element in the production. Start of production of forge-welded grating. This technique, developed largely by Lichtgitter-Gesellschaft brought the largely automated production of forge-welded grating products to a new level of development. In the same period, the production of welded and plug grating is discontinued. Construction of a new office building on the Siemensstraße. Two production lines for the production of rectangular or square pressure-locked gratings are available. Federal Minister Dr. Dieter Haak presents Dr. Martin with the document which had been awarded to Lichtgitter Gesellschaft mbH in the federal competition "Industry in urban development" Founding of Le Caillebotis Diamond S.A. in France Introduction of a fully integrated CAD system as one of the first companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. Use of the first welding robots in manufacturing. Dr. Hans Martin is awarded the Federal Cross of Merit. Acquisition of parts from the Steeb plant in Sulz a.N. Expansion and rounding off of the product portfolio by perforated metal planks. Founding of the Verzinkerei Sulz GmbH. Founding of Lichtgitter U.K. Ltd. In Great Britain Expansion of the product portfolio by GFK products. Opening of the production facility in Blumberg near Schwedt with the emphasis on spiral staircases including a grating service centre. Founding of Lichtgitter CZ spol. s.r.o. in the Czech Republic Founding of the joint venture Lichtgitter A. Ruppli AG in Switzerland The company is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9002 Opening of the CSE Caillebotis Service de l'Est Service Centre in France Interest in the Stegerud Steel AB in Sweden The company is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001 Commissioning of the most modern hot dip galvanizing plant in Europe at the site of the main factory in Stadtlohn Commissioning of the splitting plant Construction of steel service centre Founding of Lichtgitter Türkije Izgara A.S. in Turkey Formation of the joint venture in Doha, Qatar (Doha Grating & Metal Works W.L.L.) Founding of WiRoPa - a company in the Lichtgitter Group. Specializing in XXL dimensions in the fields of forming and laser and plasma cutting New construction of the galvanizing plant in Sulz Expansion of the product portfolio by chequer plates (tailor made) Commissioning of the most modern galvanizing plant in Europe (Verzinkerei Heek GmbH & Co. KG ) Founding of the LD Coating GmbH & Co. KG Founding of Lichtgitter USA Inc. in Houston (Texas) Construction of a new GRP-Building in Stadtlohn. Draht Müller GmbH & Co. KG new member in the Lichtgitter-Group - Manufacturer of industrial spot welded gratings
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Services: Powder coating
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