Milestones on the path to the Know-how Factory.

The family-owned and operated company is founded in Rheinau-Freistett. Product developments in automation and handling technology soon helped the company make its breakthrough. Zimmer GmbH quickly established itself in the field of developing and manufacturing highly complex components and system solutions for prestigious OEM customers. What was once a garage operation rapidly becomes a high-tech company. It is now one of the leading manufacturers in its sector. Its standardized solutions for mechanical and plant engineering are valued worldwide as high-quality products. Planning, designing, producing, and assembling mechanical components: Zimmer GmbH Technische Werkstätten makes a name for itself as a skilled provider of technical services. The company has now been regarded as an important system supplier for more than ten years. Its customers are prestigious companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector and the automotive industry.

One of the leading suppliers of pneumatic and electric handling components and systems in the world is incorporated. Sommer-automatic is an industry specialist with a clear focus and a comprehensive product range in the field of handling technology. Close cooperation with Zimmer GmbH Technische Werkstätten begins at the same time. This cooperation results in exemplary innovations for process automation in the areas of product management and research and development.

Company founded. Today it is one of the leading development partners in the furniture industry and is an unrivaled system partner for damping systems and innovative self-closing mechanisms, known as "soft close systems", which have now also found their way into other industries, such as the automotive sector. The company's customers include all of the major fitting and furniture manufacturers. The company is now recognized as a development pioneer and plant engineering company and is in demand all over the world.

Company founded. The company manufactures series production components in metal, plastic, and elastomers (metal injection molding, plastic injection molding, elastomer technology, and innovative MIM technology). The company combines many years of experience, high flexibility, and a wide breadth of production. Comprehensive expertise in areas ranging from materials development, in-house moldmaking, and product development through to in-house post-processing has helped Zimmer Kunststofftechnik secure a very special market position.

New production facilities are acquired in Rheinau (10,500 m2).

The company decides on an enhanced strategic focus. Two successful individual companies are first of all combined to form a GmbH (the equivalent of a limited liability corporation). Zimmer GmbH Technische Werkstätten and Sommer-automatic GmbH merge to form Zimmer GmbH. The independent companies Zimmer GmbH Kunststofftechnik and Zimmer GmbH Daempfungssysteme as well as Benz GmbH are to join with Zimmer GmbH to form the Zimmer Group. From now on, all products for the fields of handling technology, linear technology, and industrial and soft close damping technology will be developed under one roof and with even more efficiency than before. The shared goal: everything from a single source for the global market. From now on, the Zimmer Group considers itself to be a KNOW-HOW FACTORY.

Mechatronics in automation technology is making steady progress. As one of the pioneers of intelligent electronic grippers, Zimmer Group provides users a GEP2000 series that opens up a wide variety of possibilities that are extremely difficult to implement by conventional mechanical means. The GEP2000 series has impressive gripping force retention even in a completely de-energized state and thus prevents the gripper from overheating. The focus is on the long stroke and free selection of the control.

Wöku GmbH Werkzeugbau und Kunststoffspritzguss, located in the city of Ottersweier with 50 employees, is being integrated into Zimmer Group.

Cobots, that is, robot models suitable for human-robot collaboration (HRC), are making their way into the market with increasing strength. Zimmer Group is one of the first manufacturers in the world to introduce HRC-capable grippers to the market. This innovation was honored with the Handling Award 2015. Zimmer Group now has the largest portfolio of HRC grippers worldwide.

In July 2016, Zimmer Group broke ground to construct two new production hall extensions at the site in Glockenloch, Germany. This creates space for further growth and about 50 new skilled jobs in the next one to two years.

Only a few weeks after receiving four IF DESIGN Awards, Zimmer Group will also be honored with the renowned Red Dot Product Design Award. The high-level jury will award Zimmer Group six times over with the coveted Seal of Quality in the categories of industrial equipment, machines and automation.

Among the many prizes and awards that Zimmer Group received in 2019 are the German Brand Award (an industry prize for brand management), the German Innovation Award (an innovation prize sponsored by German industry) and the Handling Award.

Zimmer Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary.