With BPW the world of business is on the move like never before

Foundation

On 15 July the Bergische Patentachsenfabrik GmbH is founded in Wiehl.

Technological pioneer

BPW is a technological pioneer with the development and market launch of the bearing axle.

Company logo

BPW is given a new logo, which is still used today in a modernised form.

Change of company name

BPW is converted into a limited partnership. The new company name is: Bergische Achsenfabrik Fr. Kotz & Söhne The company already has 1,000 employees.

Change of the company logo

The company logo is changed.

Factory Brüchermühle

A further factory is put into operation in Brüchermühle.

First presentation: air suspension axle

BPW is presenting its air suspension axle for truck trailers to the public for the first time at the IAA.

Factory Hunsheim

A new factory in Hunsheim starts production.

Purchase of Transport-Teknik

BPW acquires the Danish-based company Transport-Teknik, which manufactures complete lighting and cable systems under the ERMAX brand. 

BPW is awarded the gold medal in the national competition "Industry in the Landscape" for the exemplary integration of a production plant into the landscape. 

Endurance test on the polar circle

With the new BPW measuring truck, the air suspension is being subjected to an endurance test at the northern polar circle. It shows no signs of wear or material fatigue.

Improvements to BPW air suspension axles

A further improved version of BPW air suspension axles is characterised by its particularly versatile use and low unladen weight, and its design principle serves as a model.

New shipping hall

A new shipping hall is put into operation to improve the storage and shipping facilities.

Purchase of HBN-Teknik

BPW acquires HBN-Teknik based in Denmark, a specialist in plastics technology for vehicle construction.

Anniversary

BPW produces the 1,000,000th axle in its assembly hall built in 1972 after just twelve years.

ECO System

Simply good: BPW is revolutionising warehouse technology with the new ECO System. It will be presented for the first time at the IAA in Frankfurt.

Joint Venture Hungary

BPW establishes a joint venture in Hungary. In addition, the company is certified according to ISO 9001 and has been regularly validated since then. Due to its exemplary quality management system, BPW also receives the Lloyds certificate.

Purchase of F. Hesterberg & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG

BPW acquires F. Hesterberg & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG with headquarters in Ennepetal.

Joint Venture Meizhou, China

BPW establishes a joint venture for production in Meizhou, China.

The Wiehl site is the first in North Rhine-Westphalia to be certified for the successful implementation of the European environmental quality management system EMAS.

100 years BPW

BPW celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The world's first cathodic dip coating plant for truck trailer axles that meets automotive standards is put into operation. 

A new assembly centre enables the flexible production of disc and drum brake axles.

Introduction ECO Plus 2

The optimised axle generation ECO Plus 2 is introduced worldwide. The ECO Plus system, introduced in the first generation in 1999, is the world's best-selling axle system.

Series launch of ECO Disc

The company's own trailer-friendly ECO Disc disc brake is introduced in series production.

BPW also presents the ECO Tronic EBS at the IAA. The first product in the ECO Tronic family performs electronic control functions for the brake.

Majority shareholding and introduction of series production

BPW acquires a majority stake in idem GmbH, a market leader for telematics systems. 

The new air suspension system ECO Air COMPACT with GRP air tank goes into series production.  

Truck-und Trailer Telematics

BPW acquires the truck telematics provider Funkwerk eurotelematik GmbH. 
Through the merger with idem GmbH to form idem telematics GmbH, the BPW Group becomes the first provider of integrated telematics solutions for trucks and trailers. 

BPW positions itself as system partner for truck and bus manufacturers. 

 "we think transport": With this motto, the BPW Group formulates its claim to create future-proof solutions for the transport industry with new technologies and user-friendly telematics for trucks and trailers.

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Third generation ECO Plus

The third generation of ECO Plus bearings goes into series production.

In change

The BPW Group is expanding its spare parts trading business: PE Automotive, NTV Nutzfahrzeugteile Oesterhaus and Herz Nutzfahrzeugteile become members of the BPW Aftermarket Group.

The BPW Innovation Lab is founded in Siegburg.

At the IAA, BPW presents the electrically driven axle eTransport for the first time, BPW wins the Trailer Innovation Prize, the Telematics Award goes to idem telematics.

2. Mio ECO Disc

BPW has received a number of awards, including the Energy Award from the Handelsblatt newspaper and Top National Employer from the news magazine Focus.

BPW switches over to 100 percent green electricity and publishes its first sustainability report.

The two millionth ECO Disc is produced, making it the most popular trailer disc brake on the market.

IATF Certification

At the IAA, BPW is presenting the second generation of ECO Disc and the modular ECO Air running gear.

BPW is certified according to the IATF 16949 automotive standard.

The first modular running gear of its kind.

Introduction and series start of the revolutionary BPW ECO Air running gear with modular architecture and the second generation of the ECO Disc trailer disc brake.

BPW starts the series conversion of Mercedes Benz Vario to electric vehicles.