The history
The inexhaustible curiosity and drive of continuous improvement has been deep in our corporate DNA for 75 years. Precision, perfection and customer orientation are our beacon.
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1
1948
The watchmaker Hans Schmidbauer founds the precision machine factory Elma (short for “electrical machines”). In collaboration with two technicians, the first Elma product is created.
The first Elma product is developed under the name Super Elite. It becomes the best selling watch cleaning machine in the world.
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1954
Elma becomes internationally known. The delivery program includes five devices, which are sold throughout Europe and some overseas countries. An expansion of the factory premises becomes necessary.
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1963
Entry into ultrasonic cleaning technology and thus introduction of new cleaning methods in the watch, jewelry sector.
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1973
The company founder Hans Schmidbauer hands over to the second generation. Conversion of the company into a limited partnership. The new managing director: Manfred H. Schmidbauer.
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1986
As ultrasonic cleaning is only a sub-step of the whole cleaning process, Elma expands another time and enters into the construction of cleaning systems. This means that the entire cleaning process from pre-cleaning – cleaning – rinsing and drying can now be covered.
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1991
A new manufacturing building with a production area of 4000 sqm is being built in Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße for the further production of series devices and systems.
7
2002
Another cleaning technology is added to the program: Steam cleaning
This means that cleaning can now also be carried out with “high pressure” and without chemicals.
8
2019
The 3rd generation joins in with Mirja Schmidbauer.
9
2021
Certification of medical devices according to the new EU Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR).
Hans Schmidbauer was a tinkerer and always had a large portion of curiosity in his blood. He was never satisfied with the status quo. And so it came as it had to come. The trained watchmaker noticed that the process of cleaning watches and their small parts was laborious. And so it made sense for him to build a product. This was the birth of his own company, the Factory of Electrical Machines, Elma. His first product, the Elma Super Elite, paved the way for the young company’s success. The name Elma became a household word among watchmakers, and today there is hardly a watchmaker who does not know Elma.
Elma’s success story started in Singen (Hohentwiel) and developed continuously over the years. In the early 1960s, the first successful steps were taken in the field of ultrasonic technology, the core competence of today’s Elma. In 1973 there was the first handover of the baton within the family to Manfred Schmidbauer. The son of the company’s founder continued to shape the company and expanded internationally to more than 80 countries today. Since 2021, the third generation, Mirja Schmidbauer, has been at the helm, leading the company into the digital future with competence and foresight.
Sustainability
Social
Long-term personnel policy
Elma is characterized by low staff turnover and above-average employee tenure. The training of young people has been firmly anchored in our personnel policy for many years. Regular employee reviews are the basis for identifying and supporting career paths. In addition to the option of mobile working, there are other offers for a healthy working environment as well as comprehensive health management. Thus, varied and freshly cooked dishes are available daily in the modern cantina. Offers for vaccinations and preventive medical checkups are held regularly. The annual “bike to work” initiative and the promotion of recreational sports activities are regularly and gladly used by Elman residents.
Economic
Corporate management with vision
The way we work together at Elma is based on a value model that is regularly reviewed with Elman employees, managers and the shareholder family to ensure that it is up to date. And so it is corporate values such as curiosity, cohesion, trust and determination that provide a framework for cooperation within the company and are actively lived out on a daily basis. In addition to value-based management, a regular strategy process has been implemented that permanently compares the short-, medium- and long-term strategic alignment and fine-tunes it if necessary.
Ecological
Focus on the environment
Focus on the environment plays an important role in corporate strategy. For example, the vehicle fleet is being electrified as quickly as possible, and 24 charging stations for visitors and employees have been installed in the company parking lot since this year. Furthermore, the entire waste management system was scrutinized and optimized. In the area of product development, materials used are critically examined and intensive attention is paid to the issue of sustainability when selecting suppliers. With these measures, Elma places a special focus and lives sustainable corporate culture.
We invite you:
Get to know our Elmaners
Each and every one of our more than 270 employees contributes to Elma’s success every day. Many different positions and jobs mesh together like cogwheels. Behind them are great people who are motivated and committed to their work.
Read here what moves them:
“Flexitime makes it easier for me to balance family and work.”
Dragana Heinle - Montage Series
“A family business is the ideal working environment for me.”
Michael Müller - Plant Construction Assembly
“The respect and team spirit within Elma is always present for me.”
Chris Rosenfelder, Customer Service Specialist
“I want to contribute my part to the company’s success.”
Diana Kämmer - Warehouse/Shipping Employee
“We are a great team and together we master new interesting challenges.”
Bettina Strobel, Head of Chemistry
“Exciting technology paired with a familiar working atmosphere. That’s what makes working at Elma so pleasant and motivating for me.”
Kai Becker - Development Engineer
“Modern and flexible work in a great team”.
Carmen Wilhelm, Accounting Specialist
“There is a friendly working atmosphere and I can rely on my colleagues (across departments).”
Melissa Castiello - Project Engineer
“Respect, teamwork, personal growth, innovation and internationality. 5 thins my second family (Elma) has given me through 28 years.”
Antonio Frade - Product Manager
“I appreciate that I’m promoted at Elma as a woman in a technical profession.”
Irina Goubine - Apprenticeship Technical Systems Planner
“The majority of our customers come from the fields of watches/jewelry and medicine, that enriching people’s lives. It feels good to contribute to this through my work.”
Jörg Gut - Mechanic
“Elma is like a family. Family is living, being there for each other.”
Michael Hill - Cook
“I like working at Elma because my working environment is characterized by respect and helpfulness.”
Nicole Sauter - Work Preparation Specialist
“Elma has always been a stable, reliable employer, even in turbulent times.”
Heiko Weber - Head of Production Chemistry
“We have a very good working atmosphere and are a great team.”
Helga Parchao - Receptionist
“I really appreciate modern technology and the great team.”
Jan Kiesewetter - IT Specialist
Every hand counts
…at Elma Schmidbauer GmbH.
Read the story behind a creative project together with over 200 employees on the occasion of 75 years of Elma.
Picture gallery
Elma celebrates 75 years: An emotional anniversary celebration.
Find out how the Elmaner celebrated its 75th anniversary, from moving speeches to magical moments on the flower island of Mainau. Immerse yourself in our impressions.
Picture gallery
On 29 November 2023, more than 150 guests from all over the world were given an in-depth look behind the scenes at Elma, were treated to culinary delights and were given a platform for personal dialogue.
Made in Germany
Together into a sustainable and successful future.
Elma has always been 100% family owned since its foundation in 1948. Family, that is more than just a word. And so it is our value model that is the basis of our daily work. Curiosity is a value that was transferred from Hans Schmidbauer to Mirja Schmidbauer via Manfred. Therefore, it is the unceasing drive to develop and continuously improve products and services that solve our customers’ industrial cleaning challenges and never settle for the status quo.
Just like Hans Schmidbauer 75 years ago, today large teams of developers are working and researching on current problems. As is usual in a family, cohesion plays a big role at Elma. Especially in difficult times, this has always proven how important it is to be there for each other. That is why the Elman people work hand-in-hand on the overall success of the company in an environment that is characterized by trust. On the way to a digital and sustainable future, the team tackles all tasks with determination.
#ElmaCrew
Every hand counts
The story behind a creative project with a lasting impact.
Picture gallery
Celebration 75 years Elma
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Next level
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