History
Where do we come from?
We can look back proudly on a company history of more than 400 years. We benefit from many years of experience. Our courage and spirit of innovation will continue to ensure our success.
1607
Foundation of the Sonthofen Episcopal iron smelting works on the present-day company premises. Beginning of the production of puddling steel using iron ore from the local area.
1803
Change of ownership from the Prince-Bishop of Augsburg to the State of Bavaria; the company is named "Königlich Bayerisches Hüttenwerk Sonthofen" (Royal Bavarian Smelting Works Sonthofen).
1836
The company starts operation of two cupola furnaces, continuing its development into a foundry.
1859
Blast furnace operation is discontinued as iron ore mining ceases in the vicinity. The company shifts its focus to a broad product range of machinery, equipment and foundry products.
1888
Manufacture of the first twin-shaft batch mixer for concrete production The diagram shows the evolution of BHS mixers between 1888 and 1938.
1890
One of the first Sonthofen mixers is used in 1890 during construction of the basement of the "Hirschbrauerei" brewery in Sonthofen.
1912
Rock crusher production begins. This marks the inception of what is today our range of crushing machines.
1927
The company, previously called "Hüttenamt Sonthofen," is renamed "BHS-Hüttenwerk Sonthofen" and integrated along with other Bavarian state-owned factories into the newly founded Munich-based "Bayerische Berg-, Hütten- und Salzwerke AG" (Bavarian Mining, Smelting and Salt Works Corp.). The State of Bavaria is the sole shareholder.
1930
A mobile, self-propelled stone crusher of type STA with drum screen made by BHS-Hüttenwerk Sonthofen.
1931
A slipform paver with integrated mixer and conveyor belt built by BHS-Hüttenwerk Sonthofen is used in highway construction.
1953
Start of rotary pressure filter manufacturing. This marks the establishment of the filtration technology division.
1969
Entry into the plant engineering business
1976
Manufacture of the first belt filter
1980
Design and manufacture of the first vertical-shaft impact crusher in Sonthofen
1991
The State of Bavaria sells its shares in "BHS-Bayerische Berg-, Hütten- und Salzwerke AG" to the chemical company "SKW Trostberg AG".
1995
The gear division of the BHS Sonthofen plant is sold to the US corporation Cincinnati Gear Company.
1996
The remainder of the BHS Sonthofen plant becomes a separate legal entity under the name "BHS-Sonthofen GmbH". All shares in the company are taken over by management under the leadership of Dr. Christof Kemmann as CEO.
1998
Founding of BHS-Filtration Inc. in the USA as a sales and service company.
1999
Sale of the first rotor impact mill designed for applications in the recycling industry, marking the start of the present-day recycling technology division
2001
Founding of BHS-Sonthofen (Tianjin) Machinery Co. Ltd., our production facility in Tianjin/China.
2007
Founding of BHS-Sonthofen (India) Pvt. Ltd. in Hyderabad/India as a sales and service company
2008
BHS-Sonthofen GmbH achieves sales of over 75 million euro for the first time.
