From custom heavy-duty racks to tipping containers, stair climbers, and other handling systems, all the way to storage bins, everything was delivered from a single source. But it was a long journey to get there.
During the war, the founder initially supplied rescue equipment to help free people trapped under debris. After the war, he started a small workshop sharpening old steel files. “It was only later that Karl Bartels shifted his focus toward logistics,” reports Sebastian Krayenborg, Managing Director of the GmbH since 2013. “In the post-war period, he developed the patented transport system of lever rollers and roll platforms, which has been in production since 1948 and remains part of the Bartels product range today.”
The system quickly became a success. The entrepreneur then focused entirely on producing in-house transport equipment and had the company name changed in the commercial register to “Karl H. Bartels Transport Devices and Container Construction.”
From 1952, foldable containers with a capacity of one cubic meter and a load-bearing capacity of one ton were also produced. In 1962, Bartels introduced cantilever racking in Germany, followed in 1981 by the pull-out racking system – now a classic in the Bartels range. Custom heavy-duty racks have been Bartels’ flagship product for decades and remain a core pillar of the company. Each rack is individually manufactured for the customer and tailored to their needs. “We have built our pull-out racks in lengths of 3 or 12 meters, but also for goods up to 70 meters long with a total load capacity of 96 tons,” says Sebastian Krayenborg.
If necessary, the racking systems are further developed. Bartels racks are used on production lines as well as in material warehouses and logistics companies. “The racks are designed in our Horst office, welded, painted, and assembled next door in the production hall, and transported to the customer the very next day.”
In addition to the “Made by Bartels” racks, stair climbers and other handling systems form another important pillar of the family business. Since 1967, Bartels has entered into distribution partnerships with companies around the world, constantly searching internationally for the best products. This was the achievement of Karl Bartels’ son, Bernd, who joined the company in 1959 and took over management a few years later. He significantly expanded the product range by seeking innovative products internationally.
The recently deceased senior executive traveled to 45 countries during his time as managing director. This included numerous trips to Japan, where he discovered the first stair climbers for transporting goods and later stair climbers for wheelchairs, acquiring exclusive distribution partnerships.
The topic of generational change, a test for many family businesses, was successfully managed by Bartels several times over 80 years. In 1998, Bernd Bartels’ sons joined the management team; in 2003, Thomas Bartels became sole managing director of the GmbH. He oversaw the company’s move to Horst and set the course for the future with the launch of the online shop. However, in August 2012, he passed away unexpectedly, resulting in management leaving the family earlier than planned. Leadership was handed over to Sebastian Krayenborg, who had previously been head of technical operations for seven years and was well acquainted with the company’s unique characteristics.
Today, Bartels is more successful than ever. For Sebastian Krayenborg, leading the family business into the future is a special challenge. “I feel a responsibility to shape and develop the company in the spirit of the founder,” says Krayenborg. “Bartels is a family business with a rich tradition. It is important to preserve this tradition while continually driving the company forward with innovation.”
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