New generation

Klaus Ensinger and Michael Koch take over the reins of management from Wilfried Ensinger, who continues to provide essential impetus to the strategic direction of the company as Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Ravensburg-based Thermix^® GmbH is integrated as a member of the Ensinger Group. These warm-edge spacers made of stainless steel and plastic supplement the portfolio of thermal insulating profiles. Thermix^® products create a break in the thermal bridge which occurs at the transition point between glass and frame in windows, doors and facades.

1997 also sees the establishment of the Wilfried-Ensinger Foundation by the company founder. This foundation supports cultural projects in his home town of Rottenburg, social projects in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, as well as providing funding for budding young scientists in Germany.

In Sao Leopoldo at the south-eastern tip of Brazil, the company group inaugurates a new production facility. Ensinger do Brasil sells semi-finished parts and components throughout the whole South American continent.

Michael Koch leaves the company, to be succeeded some months later on the company Executive Board by Dr. Roland Reber, who has worked for Ensinger previously in the capacity of management consultant.

The artist Otmar Alt designs the “Little Non-conformist”. This sculpture created from 42 high-tech plastics symbolizes the company philosophy. With the “Art from Plastic” campaign, Ensinger aims to highlight the creativity needed to drive engineering achievement. Employees are encouraged to think laterally, moving away from established thought patterns and seeking innovative new approaches – to be real non-conformists.

The University of Stuttgart confers the title of Honorary Senator on Wilfried Ensinger. This honour pays tribute to his “pioneering engineering achievement in the development of new types of polymer materials, plastics processing techniques and technical castings”. At the same time this distinction recognizes the entrepreneurial success achieved by Wilfried Ensinger and his support for university research and teaching.

President of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Horst Köhler confers the Federal Cross of Merit on Wilfried Ensinger in recognition of his extensive contribution to society, culture and science.

After opening an office in Shanghai back in 2002, Ensinger is now also represented by its own producing location in the world’s most densely populated country. By founding the Ensinger Engineering Plastics Company, Ensinger is turning a new page in the Asian success story. From Shanghai, the company produces machined materials to an excellent standard of workmanship to supply this growth market.

With new production and logistical facilities, Ensinger moves closer to the goal of a sustainable orientation for its German producing locations. In Cham, a new architectural landmark extension is constructed. The additional production area, the automated high-bay warehouse and the new administrative suite benefit primarily the production of building profiles.

The growing significance of raw material finishing (compounding) has necessitated the expansion of both production and storage facilities in Nufringen. The recently founded Ensinger Compounds division moves into a new building permitting greater production flow efficiency and a significant increase in volume. A technical highlight is a clean room for the production of medical technology materials.
In Rottenburg-Ergenzingen, a new injection moulding plant is constructed. The Nufringen site no longer offers sufficient space for expansion of this division. The new factory is designed to permit closely meshed interaction between the different production areas, with work flow optimization playing a key role in the planning process. Organization and quality management focus on adherence to the strict standards of the supply industry. 

With 27 production facilities and a long list of sales branches, the Ensinger Group is represented in all the world’s important industrial regions. During the past financial year, the 2,000 employees generated a consolidated turnover of 330 million Euro.