History of DESMA
1946
Founding of "Deutsche Schuhmaschinen &
C0. U. E. Ludwig KG" under the brand name
"DESCO".
Company purpose: Manufacturing of
machinery for shoe production.
1953
Brand changes to "DESMA".
Development of the Direct Soling Process
by means of vulcanization-presses and moulds.
1959
First Direct Soling Machine raised for pasty PVC
and a little later for granules.
1960
Development of further processes in the
fields of Rubber Injection and Foaming
Technology.
1970
DESMA becomes market leader in shoe
machinery and moulds, especially due to
the advanced PU-PVC technologies.
1981
Incorporation of DESMA in the Klöckner-
Ferromatik-Group.
1986
Klöckner-Ferromatik-DESMA-Group
advances to be the worldwide leader in
injection moulding machinery sales.
1993
After re-organization of the Klöckner Group,
DESMA becomes an independent member,
consisting of both firms KLÖCKNER DESMA
Shoe Machinery located in Achim and
KLÖCKNER DESMA Elastomere Technologies
based in Fridingen.
1996
KLÖCKNER DESMA Shoe Machinery makes
big investments in designing technologies
and in the mould shop.
Advanced machine control concepts as well
as new processes for shoe and sole
production are developed.
DESMA celebrates its 50th anniversary.
2000 / 2001
DESMA has confidently started the new
millenium, with one of our best-ever years
behind us. We look forward to building on
our excellent foundations in the years to come.
2003
Based in Guangzhou, a WFOE – Wholly Foreign Owned
Enterprise – DESMA China gets down to work in 2003.
Specialising in the rapid supply of spare parts and provision
of technical service, DESMA China is grounded in tradition
and looking forward to meeting the challenges of the future.
2006
A time to celebrate – and for once, relax! DESMA customers, suppliers, employees and their families take the chance to reflect on 60 years of innovation and service to the footwear industry.
2009
Wolfgang Koliwer retires – new management structure
After impressive 50 years with DESMA, Wolfgang Koliwer leaves the company as of April 2009. He hands over the reins to two young managers who, despite their youth, bring over 30 years combined experience at DESMA.
Klaus Freese and Christian Decker face difficult times but are confident of DESMA’s tradition of excellence: “We know that there will always be a strong market for quality”.