ECO Schulte – tradition and innovation

How we became what we are

What started in 1926 with a small company in Menden, Sauerland, has developed into a globally active group of companies with subsidiaries in many countries.

The milestones of our company history show how we became what we are today: a high-quality and innovative manufacturer of door function systems.

Chronicling the company’s development

Echt & Co.

Echt & Co.

In 1926, the Echt & Co. company is founded in Menden. Heinrich Schulte and his business partner. Echt start metal processing in their own stamping store. Traditional: The company headquarters are still located in Menden today.
1920s
Handles and hinges

Handles and hinges

In the 1960s, the company began producing plastic fittings and door hinges for fire doors. Innovative: Among the first product lines are already plastic fittings with steel core.
1950s and 1960s
Product range and production

Product range and production

The product range is expanded and the production of escape and panic systems is started. Standards-compliant: Applicable standards are meticulously adhered to or even exceeded.
1970s
Renaming to a brand

Renaming to a brand

Company founder Ernst Schulte renames the company ECO Schulte GmbH & Co. KG. Thus the ECO brand is born, which has successfully established itself on the market to this day. Value-driven: ECO Schulte is a family business with the mission to redefine system technology at the door and make it safer.
1972
EBS and GBS

EBS and GBS

The subsidiary ESB is founded in Luckenwalde near Berlin. From now on, stamped and formed parts are produced and plastic parts are processed here. In 1989, the lock factory GBS in Schwelm is taken over. Consistent: This lays the foundation for the production of holistically coordinated hardware systems.
1980s
Safety

Safety

We are developing the EPN 600, once again ensuring greater security at the door - especially in panic and emergency situations.Safe: Protecting human life is a central motif of our work.
1980s
ECO Schulte Poland

ECO Schulte Poland

ECO Schulte begins internationalization and opens ECO Schulte Sp. z o.o., its first foreign subsidiary, in Wypedy, Poland. Structured: In addition, ESB moves from Berlin to Luckenwalde - and lock production is integrated into the Menden site.
1990s
Quality certification

Quality certification

ECO Schulte achieves DIN EN ISO 9001 for the first time - it is the most widely used standard in quality management.Excellent: We are certified to meet customer requirements for our product and service quality.
2000
ECO Schulte in China

ECO Schulte in China

With the founding of ECO Schulte Doorsystems Zhuhai Co. Ltd.in Zhuhai, the leap into China succeeds.Innovative: The modern manufacturing technologies in Zhuhan fit perfectly into the company's production chains.
2007
ECO Schulte in Austria

ECO Schulte in Austria

Foundation of ECO Schulte Austria GmbH in Hermagor, Austria.Präsent: We expand and consolidate the distribution network in the German-speaking region.
2009
Award winning design

Award winning design

The EPN 2000 II panic touchbar receives two prestigious design awards at once: As part of the red dot award:product design 2010, it is awarded the "red dot" for high design quality - at the same time, it is nominated for the Design Award Germany. Aesthetically: These first awards are an incentive for us: Further design awards will follow in the next few years.
2010
Takeover of Randi A/S

Takeover of Randi A/S

As part of a partnership with Allegion, ECO Schulte takes over the Danish door handle manufacturer Randi A/S - and thus continues the planned internationalization.Design-oriented: The Randi A/S program also includes designs from Scandinavian architectural firms and is subsequently perfectly adapted to European standards and door technology.
2014