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The Arntz Optibelt Group of Companies is celebrating its 150th anniversary

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As one of the world's most important manufacturers of high-performance drive belts and specific drive solutions for a wide range of industries, the group of companies looks back on 150 successful and eventful years and takes a look into the future.

Hoexter, 07/11/2022. Under the motto "We keep the world moving sustainably. Innovative solutions are our passion. Our drive - trust and partnership," the group of companies has become one of the world's most important manufacturers of high-performance drive belts and specific drive solutions for a wide range of industries over the past 150 years. In the early years, the "Höxtersche Gummifädenfabrik", founded in 1872 by Emil Arntz with just ten employees, produced rubber threads and technical rubber products. After the first V-belt left the factory in 1948 under the name "Optibelt", the name became a trademark in the industry. 20 years later, the first foreign production facility was founded in Northern Ireland. Other new production sites followed, among others in China and Romania. Since the end of the 1990s, the family-owned company has been in its current form and continues to be a medium-sized enterprise. Today, it employs more than 2,400 people at eight production sites and 33 sales offices in 30 countries.

"Family-run from the very beginning, down-to-earth, innovative and always orientated towards profitable growth, we focus on uncompromising quality, durability and sustainability," explains Reinhold Mühlbeyer, Chairman of the Board of Management. 

Commitment to the location

Founded in Höxter, the Arntz Optibelt Group is still headquartered here today. As one of the special highlights on the occasion of the 150th anniversary, a fashion collection with various Optibelt motifs was designed for the employees, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Höxter-Tisch e.V. in order to help and support the volunteers involved in the association in their work for families and fellow citizens in need. 

As a commitment to the location, at the end of 2021, the group of companies took on a premium sponsorship for the State Garden Show 2023, which will take place in Höxter. As the largest local employer, Optibelt supports the urban development project both materially and ideally. 

A look into the future
Optibelt's long company history also includes the training of its own specialists and executives and is even constantly in­creasing the number of apprenticeships in various areas. In addition, the group of companies offers exciting job opportunities in a wide range of specialist areas. 

At the same time, it is not enough to look back on 150 years in the industry; you also have to look ahead. To become climate-neutral worldwide by 2040 through our own efforts - this is one of the focal points of the Arntz Optibelt Group's mission state­ment. To this end, the company is already calculating its CO2 footprint today in order to determine its own climate impact. Numerous efficiency and sustainability measures at locations worldwide are being vigorously addressed and implemented in order to reduce energy consumption. "These important milestones also make it clear that we are taking the much-cited turning point seriously in order to set the right course for the future for the company and its employees," emphasises Managing Director Konrad Ummen.

 

Press contact

Arntz Optibelt Group
Press and Public Relations

Viviane Geisler
Tel.: 05271 62-694
E-Mail: v.geisler[at]optibeltcom

 

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"Shareholders' meeting-09.07.2022"; Photo credit: Arntz Optibelt Group

Caption
"Shareholders' Meeting-09.07.2022": The advisory board (from left), consisting of Robert Ummen (with Emil), Gunnar Ummen, Birgit Becker and Andreas Becker, cutting the anniversary cake.; picture credits: Arntz Optibelt Group

 

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Optibelt-Gesellschafterversammlung-07-2022.jpg
The advisory board (from left), consisting of Robert Ummen (with Emil), Gunnar Ummen, Birgit Becker and Andreas Becker, cutting the anniversary cake.