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A unique journey through time

From an iron smelting plant to a technology leader

BHS-Sonthofen has been around for more than 400 years. Our history is unique – what started in 1607 in the diocesan iron-smelting works in Sonthofen has been shaped into a leading technology company over the centuries.

1607 | Company is founded

The company’s history began more than 400 years ago, when an iron smelting facility was built at the present headquarters. Back then, the works produced wrought iron from iron ore mined in the region.

1859 | Sonthofen Royal Bavarian Smelting Works

The iron smelting industry in this region was discontinued. This marks the end of furnace operations at the "Königlich Bayerisches Hüttenwerk Sonthofen" (Sonthofen Royal Bavarian Smelting Works). The site adapted by focusing on the production of a wide range of machinery, equipment and foundry products.

1888 | The first twin-shaft mixer for concrete production

The first twin-shaft mixer for concrete production is shipped from the factory. What began small – with an initial mixing trough filling of 0.15 m³ – is constantly being developed further due to the high demand for concrete. Today, the largest twin-shaft batch mixer holds up to 9 m³ of hardened concrete per batch and is known worldwide as the ‘original product’ among concrete mixers. For major international projects, it is considered an international industry benchmark. In 2019, the company delivered the largest twin-shaft mixer in the corporate history to date with a filling volume of 28,000 liters.

1912 | The first crusher

The first crusher was built and used at local construction sites. The advantages of mechanical assistance at major construction sites became quickly apparent, prompting BHS to develop further shredding machines over the coming decades. This was the origin of today’s range of shredding machines.

1927 | Founding of Bayerische Berg-, Hütten- und Salzwerke AG

In the wake of WWI, “Hüttenamt Sonthofen” became part of state-run “Bayerische Berg-, Hütten- und Salzwerke AG” together with other Bavarian enterprises. During this change, it was renamed “BHS-Hüttenwerk Sonthofen.”

1953 | Manufacture of first rotary pressure filter

BHS developed the first rotary pressure filter. Based on this, BHS engineers started to develop different filter types for the efficient separation of solids from liquids. This lay the foundation for today’s Filtration Technology division.

1996 | Founding of BHS-Sonthofen GmbH

In the early 1990s, the State of Bavaria sold its shares in “Bayerische Berg-, Hütten- und Salzwerke AG.” This resulted in the BHS plant Sonthofen becoming the legally independent company “BHS-Sonthofen GmbH.” Management, under the leadership of Dr. Christof Kemmann, took over all the company shares.

1997 | Recycling Technology division is launched

BHS delivered the first rotor impact mill for an application in the recycling industry to recover metals – the customer was more than just satisfied. This marked the beginning of the Recycling Technology division.

1998–2013 | Global expansion

Starting in the 1990s, BHS has been doing business on an international scale. Initially, the company mainly operated in German-speaking countries. At the end of the 20th century, BHS expanded across the globe. After moving into European markets, BHS established self-owned subsidiaries in North America (1998), China (2001), India (2007) and finally Russia (2013).

2018 | Acquisition of AVA GmbH & Co. KG

BHS acquired AVA GmbH & Co. KG, a leading process technology company based in Herrsching am Ammersee (Germany), to strengthen its market position in the field of process technology solutions for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The BHS Group can now also offer thermal processes in addition to mechanical process technology.

2020 | Acquisition of Thoma Elektrosteuerungsanlagen GmbH

Thoma Elektrosteuerungsanlagen GmbH from Babenhausen, a specialized provider of control systems for process technology systems, becomes part of the BHS Group was renamed as BHS Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG. BHS Control Systems now designs and develops proprietary control technology for the BHS Group’s entire portfolio.

2021 | The new production plant opens in Slovakia

In early 2021, the BHS-Sonthofen Group opened a new production plant with a floor space of 5,000 m² in Haniska near Prešov, Slovakia. The company’s growth meant it was necessary to create additional production capacity in the European Union. In the future, the plant will manufacture a wide variety of machine components for the Group’s three divisions and German plants in Sonthofen and Herrsching.

2021 | Share in RW Recycling World GmbH in Merishausen, Switzerland

BHS-Sonthofen has held a 50-percent share in RW Recycling World GmbH, located in Merishausen, Switzerland, since September 2021 to secure the Group’s further strategic growth in separation, sorting and classification technology. In particular, the Recycling Technology division is expanding its technology portfolio and depth of added value to include key process steps in recycling processes for crushing, separating, sorting, sifting, balling, screening and separating.

2022 | Acquisition of Eurostar Concrete Technology S.p.A., Italy

In March 2022, the BHS Group acquired Eurostar Concrete Technology S.p.A., located in Udine, Italy. The acquisition of the renowned manufacturer of planetary mixers saw the Group’s portfolio of twin-shaft batch mixers in the Building Material Machinery division expand to include high-quality planetary mixers for building materials applications for batch sizes of up to 6,000 liters. The additional mixing technology offers customers of both companies greater flexibility in terms of the equipment they can select and the service they receive.

2024 | New Test Center opened for the Process Technology division

In July 2024, BHS-Sonthofen opened a new test center for the Process Technology division. On 450 square meters, significantly larger capacities are now available for laboratory and pilot tests. With state-of-the-art technologies for the process steps of solid-liquid separation, drying, mixing and reacting, the experts at BHS support their customers' test series. The investment in the new Test Center is part of the growth strategy and strengthens the Sonthofen site.