BESSEY History


Today, two business divisions make BESSEY unique: The positioning of BESSEY as precision steel and tool manufacturer ensures decisive quality advantages. This year, the company is celebrating its 130th anniversary.

1889

Max Bessey founds a bright steel drawing plant in Stuttgart.

1912

Continuation of the firm by his nephew Karl Bessey.

1926

The management board is taken over by Dr.-Ing. Eugen Mayer. Under his leadership, the range of products produced is significantly expanded, both in terms of dimensions and grades of steel offered.

1928

Marriage Dr.-Ing. Eugen Mayer with Erna Bessey, widow of Karl Bessey.

1936

Patents are granted for a new type of malleable cast bar clamp, thus marking the beginning of the production of clamping tools by BESSEY.

1944

Founding of a subsidiary in Bietigheim for producing clamping tools.

1952

Patent are granted for a tempered all-steel clamp.

1961

Expansion of the Bietigheim works and beginning of bright steel production.

1966

Transition of the firm to the daughter Dr. Erna Fetscher and the son Dr. Theodor Mayer as managing partner.


Start of a dynamic phase of corporate development:

  • Production of bright steel is doubled and complemented by the manufacture of stainless steels.
  • New patents and developments, combined with modern marketing, make BESSEY into the market leader in the global clamping tools sector.

1971

  • A further increase in bright steel production is achieved at the Stuttgart works thanks to the purchase of the neighbouring Aldinger engineering works.
  • Founding of BESSEY FILS in Strasbourg, from which the company BESSEY-SER arose in 1988.

1979

Purchase of the Diener shears factory in Esslingen, with a satellite factory in Solingen.

1983

Consolidation of bright steel production in new mill buildings at the Bietigheim works. Sale of the Stuttgart site.

1985

Purchase of additional land in Bietigheim, including the area of the former worsted spinning mill, which has protected status. After proper restoration, tool production begins at this facility.

1989

The company celebrates its 100 year jubilee.

2003

Purchases of distributors in the strategically important North American market.

2004

Purchase of the GROSS STABIL clamping tool brand as part of our global growth strategy.

2007

Integration of GROSS STABIL TOOL into BESSEY Tool in order to leverage synergy effects.

2011

After eleven years, the BESSEY Group is once again owner-managed – Klaus Fuchs becomes Managing Partner.

2012

Market launch of the self-adjusting toggle clamp range STC. 

2019

The company celebrates its 130 year jubilee.