Lichtgitter GmbH was founded in 1929, laying the foundation for a success story that continues to this day. What once began with the production of honeycomb and plug-in gratings has developed over the decades into a leading international full-service provider in the field of industrial floorings.
From the very beginning, Lichtgitter has focused on combining innovation, quality and reliability. Thanks to continuous further development and state-of-the-art production technologies, the company is now one of the world's leading manufacturers of gratings - with subsidiaries and partner companies on almost every continent.
Today, the company is managed by the 3rd generation of the family and remains 100% owned by the founding Martin family.
Despite its global orientation, Lichtgitter has always remained true to its origins: The headquarters are still located in Stadtlohn, Westphalia, where tradition and progress have gone hand in hand for over nine decades.
Lichtgitter Gesellschaft was founded in 1929 as a company specializing in the manufacture of Gratings.
An English entrepreneur was looking for a good production site for his business idea of developing floorings that let light through and allow dirt and grime to fall through. By chance, his attention was drawn to an empty production hall in Stadtlohn that belonged to the Martin family.
Production initially focused on the manufacture of patented welded gratings with honeycomb mesh.
Complete destruction of the production facility in Stadtlohn in 1945 due to the Second World War. However, it was rebuilt in the years that followed.
Dr. Hans Martin takes over the company and initially continues production with welded gratings and plug-in gratings.
In 1961, the improved construction of the so-called press-fit grating was introduced into production. Press-in gratings are still an integral part of production today.
Start of production of forge-welded gratings. This process, which was largely developed by Lichtgitter-Gesellschaft, took the largely automated series production of press-welded gratings to a new level of development. At the same time, the production of welded and plug-in gratings was discontinued.
Construction of a new office building on Siemensstrasse.
Two production lines are available for the production of rectangular or square press-locked gratings.
Federal Minister Dr. Dieter Haak presents Dr. Martin with the certificate awarded to Lichtgitter Gesellschaft mbH in the national "Industry in Urban Development" competition.
Establishment of the first international sales and production sites.
Le Caillebotis Diamond S.A. is founded in France.
Introduction of a fully integrated CAD system as one of the first companies in NRW.
Acquisition of parts of the Steeb plant in Sulz a.N. Expansion of the product portfolio to include perforated metal planks.
Foundation of Verzinkerei Sulz GmbH
Start of spiral staircase production including Gratings Service Center in Blumberg near Schwedt (today in Pinnow)
Lichtgitter U.K. Ltd. founded in Great Britain
Expansion of the product portfolio to include GRP Gratings.
Lichtgitter CZ spol. s.r.o. founded in the Czech Republic.
Founding of the Lichtgitter A. Ruppli AG joint venture in Switzerland (now Lichtgitter AG Switzerland).
Expansion of the product portfolio to include GRP-Products
Commissioning of Europe's most modern hot-dip galvanizing plant on the site of the main plant in Stadtlohn.
Commissioning of the splitting plant at the Stadtlohn site.
Construction of the steel service center.
Lichtgitter Izgara A.S. founded in Turkey.
New construction of the Verzinkerei Sulz in Sulz a.N.
Inclusion of chequer plate blanks and combi decks in the range
Commissioning of the most modern galvanizing plant in Europe (Verzinkerei Heek GmbH & Co. KG)
Foundation of Lichtgitter Treppen GmbH & Co KG
Lichtgitter USA Inc. founded in Houston (Texas)
Expansion of Lichtgitter GRP GmbH & Co. KG
New GRP hall + office building
Takeover of the company Draht Müller GmbH & Co KG in Dülmen. This means that the group also produces spot-welded wire mesh.
Commissioning of an in-house powder coating plant at Verzinkerei Heek GmbH & Co. KG
Founding of Lichtgitter USA FRP Scott/Louisana
Commissioning of the 4th galvanizing plant in the Group. Galva Normandie in France.
Foundation of Lichtgitter Belgium B.V. in Mechelen/Belgium
Commissioning of a state-of-the-art slitting plant at Lichtgitter USA Houston/Texas
Opening of our own GRP grating production facility in Slovakia - Lichtgitter FRP Slovakia
Lichtgitter is shaping the future of its industry with vision, technological expertise and sustainability. The focus is not only on the quality of the products, but also on people: as a reliable employer, partner and source of inspiration - from Stadtlohn to the world.
