NORRES Schlauchtechnik / Company / History

Success stems from flexibility and identity.

NORRES Schlauchtechnik: Data – Facts – Figures

1889 | 1926 | 1935 | 1939 | 1946 | 1948 | 1955 | 1963 | 1966 | 1973 | 1974 | 1985 | 1989 | 1993 | 1994 | 1998 | 1999 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 →

2010

• The NORRES CONNECT Safety Clamp Systems 230, 231 and 232, which allow polyurethane hoses to be clamped to all standard connection types, are now also available for the PUR-AS hose series. These innovative techniques for connecting commercially available fittings to polyurethane hoses lead to a clear reduction in maintenance, energy and process costs.
• The PUR-AS hose family manufactured by NORRES is voted one of the top three innovations in the “Environmental and safety technology / explosion protection” category of the Vogel Business Media Innovation Award at “POWTECH / TechnoPharm 2010”.

2009

• The permanently antistatic hoses in the electrostatic discharge-capable PUR-AS family developed by NORRES Schlauchtechnik are among the first of their kind to be launched in the market. AIRDUC^®, PROTAPE^® and BARDUC^® PUR MHF-AS have each obtained legal and regulatory approvals from an independent testing laboratory for the complete hose in food applications; they meet the requirements of EU Directive 2002/72/EC, including the amending Directive 2007/19/EC, and bear the EU's glass / fork symbol.
• The implementation of the new technical rule TRBS 2153 (BGR132) gives rise to numerous questions and uncertainties in day-to-day practice. In an attempt to provide reliable answers and clarify the situation with regard to suction and transport hoses, NORRES, the Gelsenkirchen based hose manufacturer, hosts a meeting of experts at the end of November. The eminent panel includes Dr. Josef Bremen of BG Chemie in Cologne, one of the fathers of both the new and the old rule, and Dr. Claus-Diether Walther of Currenta, Leverkusen, a recognised authority on explosion protection.

• NORRES Schlauchtechnik – united under one roof:
  The “Am Stadthafen 12-18” site in Gelsenkirchen was finally ready for occupancy on July 20. The full benefit of the significantly expanded manufacturing and warehouse capacities can now be leveraged. The investment in new plant will make our production processes both faster and more efficient. The warehouse and Production were recently joined by Administration.
• NORRES shapes up for the future: A new rectangular hose is the latest innovation to emerge from the NORRES R&D department as a further extension to our already broad portfolio of products.

2008


• Complete production and warehouse relocated to the second plant – “Am Stadthafen 12-16, Gelsenkirchen” – in July/August 2008.
• Product range extended with two innovative clamp systems: CONNECT Safety Clamp System 2311 and CONNECT Pressfitting System 232 for heavy and super-heavy, externally corrugated spiral hoses.
• NORRES Cable Protection Systems catalogue published in July. New Industrial Hoses Manual published in March.

2007

• NORRES Schlauchtechnik becomes one of the first manufacturers to develop a special safety clamp system – CONNECT 230 – for loading and unloading silo vehicles that fits spiral wire-reinforced polyurethane hoses.

• NORRES voted “Supplier of the Year 2007 in the Hoses and Fittings Category” by VTH (German Industrial Distributor Association) in November.
• Production commences in the second plant. The new production facility is officially opened by Frank Baranowski, Lord Mayor of Gelsenkirchen.

2006

• Development and market launch of HT-PUR, the brand raw material, in March. Polyurethane hoses made of HT-PUR are more resistant to heat and abrasion.



2005

• NORRES Schlauchtechnik continues its expansion with the acquisition of the “Am Stadthafen 12-16, Gelsenkirchen” site (Plant II), leading to the creation of new, long-term jobs, and the establishment of a regional office in China.
• One of the first manufacturers in the world to receive official approval for polyurethane hoses reinforced with steel wires in accordance with the new EC Directive 2002/72/EC, NORRES launches the production of its new food industry hoses and special couplings, proudly bearing the EU’s glass/fork symbol.

2004

• Development and market launch of a brand raw material called Pre-PUR^® – meanwhile a synonym for quality and longer life. This special blend of premium ether-polyurethane is characterised by better resistance to heat and cold than ordinary polyurethanes.
• Publication of the Industrial Hoses Manual and complete redesign of the company website. The Manual wins an award for its user friendly layout and simple navigation in “KatalogBenchmark”, the prestigious competition for catalogue design.

2003

• Extension of the production and preassembly area for connection fittings.

2002–2003

• Burkhard Mollen, a close associate of Hubert Norres, acquires all shares in NORRES Schlauchtechnik to become sole proprietor.

2001

• Construction of a new storage and logistics area at the Freiligrathstr. 38 site in Gelsenkirchen. Warehouse capacity is doubled as a result.

1999


• Invention of partial colouring for hoses. Thanks to the patented production method, AIRDUC^® and PROTAPE^® hoses can now be coloured in the bead area according to customer specifications.
• “Welding extrusion” patent granted for AIRDUC^® and PROTAPE^®. This novel production technique improves the smoothness of the interior hose surface.

1998

• Burkhard Mollen appointed Managing Director.
• NORRES Schlauchtechnik voted “Best Supplier: Industrial Distribution Partner” by VTH (German Industrial Distributor Association). NORRES becomes a member of the Industrial Distributor Association’s TOP partner programme.

1994


• NORRES Schlauchtechnik becomes one of the first hose manufacturers in Germany to be certified to DIN ISO 9001.





Ab 1993

• Burkhard Mollen takes up employment as an engineer in the NORRES Schlauchtechnik Research & Development department.

1989

• Market launch of PROTAPE^® film hoses.

1985

• NORRES Schlauchtechnik develops and launches the first CP (clamp profile) hoses.





1974

• Production of the first plastic spiral hoses made of welded profile. This innovative step is followed by the development and manufacture of AIRDUC^® profile hoses.

1973


• NORRES takes the decision to divest itself of its fuse lighter business and concentrate on industrial hoses.

1966

• Plans are made to set up a separate sales and distribution network for industrial hoses and connecting elements.

1963

• Development of a cable protection conduit completed and the conduit prepared for production.

1955

• Purchase of an extrusion machine for making hoses and profiles.

1948

• The year begins with the re-issue of NORRES’ license to manufacture electric fuses.

1946–1947

• War damage repaired and commodities to meet daily needs manufactured from existing stocks. Parallel to this, intensive efforts are made to persuade the British occupation authorities to license the production of electric fuses.

1939–1945

• Production during the Second World War is restricted to electric fuses for quarries and for the coal, salt and ore mining industries. The war situation puts a stop to manufacturing activities in March 1945. Production of all electric fuse lighters is banned by the authorities.

1935–1936

• Introduction of the first test procedures for detonator wires with insulation made from thermoplastic polymers.

1926

• Joseph Norres’ fuse factory in Gelsenkirchen granted an official trading license to erect a manufacturing facility for electric fuses on the Freiligrathstr. 30 site in Schalke (Gelsenkirchen).
• Death of Wilhelm Norres on November 2, 1918. The firm has already been run by his eldest son, Albert, for some time. Albert’s brother, Joseph Norres, who worked there too for a while, establishes his own fuse manufacturing company – Joseph Norres, Zünderfabrik – between 1923 and 1925.

1889

• Wilhelm Norres, a former miner, is employed as an accountant and mining official at the Consolidation pit in Schalke (Westphalia) following a mine accident. He sets to work on the development of a “mechanical safety fuse for detonations” (in the form of a friction igniter) that is protected by German and international patents.
  The first patent application is submitted in 1890. By 1897, the consumption of Norres fuses has climbed to 1.1 million.