The Brand
“Powered by IDEAL” in Balingen implies PC-Board production, grindery, the most modern powder coating and final assembly. This helps to speed up product development, to optimise production and to realise efficient quality control. In return it provides with the feeling that whatever needs to be done, has to be done to provide customers with the best solution on the market. This is called “complete production” or simply “Made in Balingen”.
Quality-Management-System
Krug & Priester implemented an approved Quality-Management-System and is certified under ISO 9001:2015 standards. This Quality-Management-System encompasses besides manufacturing also any administration workflow.
In addition, Krug & Priester has been awarded the “Quality Sign for Management Systems”. This award has been presented by their certification company, EQ Zert. It is the declared aim to improve their own quality level even further by implementing programmes such as “Customer Focus” and “Continual Improvement”. These programmes are based on the already certified fundamentals of ISO 9001, but are defined in a more precise way and for certain fields. By continuous measurements, rules and explicitly defined evidence, these programmes ensure an even further enhanced quality level.
Environmentally compatible production
Environmentally compatible production, economical use of scarce resources, and protection of the environment have always been firmly embedded in the corporate philosophy of Krug & Priester. The logical consequence is that Krug & Priester company has been certified according to DIN EN ISO 14001:2015, the Environmental Management System and to DIN EN ISO 50001:2011, the Energy Management System.
Brand History
COMPANY FORMATION
1951
On July 1st, Wilhelm Krug and Ludwig Priester founded the company as specialized retail store, repair shop, and manufacturing facility for office machines, located at Tübinger Str. 7 in Balingen. Already in the founding years the young enterprise exhibits its products at the Hanover Fair - the basis for early success in export business.
1953
MANUFACTURING IN THE FIRST BUILDING
The production of duplicating machines, paper trimmers, ballpoint pens and spray guns moved into the first company-owned building on Schickhardtstraße.
1956
MANUFACTURING BUILDING WAS ENLARGED
The production facilities were enlarged by erecting additional buildings and the production was concentrated on paper trimmers and duplicating machines.
1958
FIRST GUILLOTINES
The retail division of the company was abandoned. Guillotine paper cutters supplement the production program.
1959
SHREDDERS FOR THE U.S. MARKET
IDEAL develops paper shredders for the American market; along with the cutting machines they become a main product group for the production and world-wide distribution. A new office building at the Schickhardtstraße site made it possible to merge production and administration at one location.
1964
MORE PRODUCTION SPACE
The production space was adapted to the steadily growing demand for the IDEAL products.
1966
NEW PRODUCTION BUILDING
2000 sqm production space were added in a new building.
1968
WILHELM KRUG LEFT THE COMPANY
Wilhelm Krug left the company. Wolfgang Priester joins as a new share holder in the limited partnership.
1970
TRAINING AND RESEARCH BUILDING SET
A neighbourhood piece of land with a production building was acquired and used as a workshop for the tool and die makers and for the R & D department.
1976
COMPANY FOUNDER LUDWIG PRIESTER DIED
Happiness about the 25th anniversary of the company and the acquisition of a neighbouring site over 10,000 sqm, which assured, that the firm had room to expand in the future, sadness on the other hand about the death of company founder Ludwig Priester. The firm was carefully restructured, new buildings replaced old ones, modern CNC technology was introduced, and intensified, customer oriented distribution ensures further expansion.
1986
MODERN POWDER COATING PLANT
The purchase of an additional site enables the company to build a modern, environmentally friendly powder coating plant. Product innovations and modern marketing methods guarantee further growth as well as higher market shares for IDEAL shredders and IDEAL paper cutting machines.
1990
NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
A new administration building with a modern logistics center is opened at the Simon-Schweitzer-Straße.
1991
40TH COMPANY ANNIVERSARY
IDEAL celebrates its 40th anniversary. A 50 percent partnership is acquired in the longstanding US agency, which helps to secure a larger market share in the most important export market of the company.
1992
REUNIFICATION OF GERMANY
The reunification of Germany creates a big demand for IDEAL products. The company turnover reached almost 90 Mio. German Marks.
1994
IDEAL ACQUIRES MAJORITY SHARE IN E.A. CLEMENTZ & CIE.
IDEAL acquires 93 percent of the shares of its longstanding French agent, E.A. Clémentz & Cie., Reichstett.
1996
CONTINUED GROWTH
The extension of the production premises by a further 2,000 sqm finalizes the constructional development as per today.
1998
WORLD'S LEADING MANUFACTURER OF PAPER SHREDDERS
IDEAL is the leading manufacturer worldwide for paper shredders and office cutting machines. If the sales of the partner companies in the USA and France are consolidated, the turnover is considerably over 100 Million German Marks.
2001
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPANY
On June 30th the company is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in the municipal festivity hall of Balingen. During that time the company has 380 employees in Balingen.
2005
EXPANSION OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
The company is investing into the location Balingen and the extension of the administration building by further 1.000 sqm in the Simon-Schweitzer-Strasse. Target of this measurement was the centralisation of all commercial and technical administration departments on one floor. For an improved internal communication - by shorter distances, more efficiency and optimised work courses.
2008
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2008
With AL1 Krug & Priester designs a veritable first class document shredder. For its innovative concept AL1 is decorated with numerous worldwide recognized design awards like the „red dot design award“ and the „iF product design award“. It is further nominated for „The 2008 Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany” and is chosen „Product of the Year 2008” by the PBS Industry Association.
2011
60 YEARS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Founded on 1st July 1951, Krug & Priester celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2011. For more than six decades, the development, production and distribution of document shredders and paper cutting machines have been our constant focus. From its very beginnings, the company´s philosophy has been very closely linked to sustainability both in thought and action. Two of the supporting pillars in the history of Krug & Priester have been the strong adherence to ‘production place Germany’ and the development of new products that are valued for their high quality and long life. Likewise, our responsibility for people and the environment, and the considerable social commitment of the company, play major roles.
2012
NEW, MODERN PRODUCTION HALL
The oldest part of our production space will be demolished and replaced by a new, modern production hall. Reduced production areas for the same processes, faster turnaround times, a highly streamlined workflow, and a significant increase in productivity, are the central guiding principles within the new building. Of course, this new factory is supported by special attention to brightness, health, cleanliness and conservation of the sustainable nature of our enterprise.
2013
“BLUE ANGEL” FOR IDEAL
We were the first shredder manufacturer awarded with the “Blue Angel” for the highly efficient use of energy by our IDEAL shredders. Among other criteria it was the energy saving function, “Zero Energy Consumption”, that ensures automatic and complete power cut-off after 30 minutes in standby mode, which contributed to this award. The “Blue Angel” was the first and is therefore the longest established environment symbol in the world for products and services.
2014
NEW BUSINESS AREA IDEAL HEALTH
In addition to the traditional shredder and cutter business, we have opened the new business area IDEAL Health with the introduction of three models of air purifiers. By doing so, we walk completely new paths and expand our product assortment towards “health and wellbeing”. Numerous further products are in preparation.
2015
CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT
Daniel Priester is appointed to the Management and follows his father Wolfgang Priester, who continues as spokesman for the shareholders. The new Management presently consists of Messrs. Daniel Priester, Hubert Haizmann and Dr. Ralf Krohn.
2016
NEW DUAL LEADERSHIP
After more than 24 year successful years, Hubert Haizmann left the company and went into retirement as of 30th June, 2016. The new leadership team is composed of the two Managing Directors Daniel Priester (Sales and Marketing) and Dr. Ralf Krohn (Engineering and Development).
2017
THE FIRST AIR PURIFIER “MADE IN BALINGEN”
We set a key milestone in our business area of IDEAL Health by introducing the first professional high-performance air purifier “Made in Balingen”. With the new model IDEAL AP60 Pro, very high airflow and maximum purification are achieved. Multiple and extremely convenient equipment features verify our high standards of functionality and quality. By processing premium materials, and using quality components from first-class German component suppliers, we set completely new standards within the product sector of air purifiers.
