Health and Wellbeing since 1919.
From the start: Wellbeing for the whole family.
In 1919 Käthe and Eugen Beurer were living in poor conditions at Frauenstrasse 57 in Ulm. But the couple, in particular Käthe Beurer as the driving force, had an idea, a vision: as an alternative to the then very common hot water bottle, electrically operated heating pads would provide people with cosy warmth in future. A very practical invention in times in which central heating was not a standard feature of a home. Heinrich Stanger from Reutlingen had become acquainted with the manufacture of heating pads whilst in the USA and, following his return to Ulm in 1908, started production of the first models in Germany. The relevant expertise was therefore on hand when Käthe Beurer and her husband ventured into self-employment in 1919. Despite all the difficult circumstances, "production" began, albeit in modest conditions at first. The first units were produced using two sewing machines in their bedroom at home.
Due to strong inflation, the company was on the verge of collapse.
Eugen and Käthe Beurer were convinced about their product and held on to their vision.
The entrepreneur Hermann Bantleon joined the young company, in the wake of which the company was entered in the commercial register.
At the end of the 1920s, the cat's head was established as the logo. "Beurer cat brings warmth and comfort to a cold bed!" That was the slogan with which Beurer aggressively and yet humorously addressed potential customers from 1930 onward. The cat logo united all the qualities that one had come to expect from the products of this still young company. Warmth, comfort and well-being should all be experienced by the owners of Beurer heating pads. The real cat on the lap had at this point already become a bit of a veteran. Other attributes of our purring, four-legged friend – trust, homeliness and reliability – were synonymous with Beurer products. The cat's head would characterise the image of Beurer for almost 70 years.
Eugen Beurer had the thermostat and thermostat fixing patented, therefore laying the foundations for heat-regulating heating pads.
Hermann Bantleon resigned as a partner of the company.
After a difficult start, initial successes and failures, Beurer celebrated its 15th anniversary in 1934. This milestone also marked
the start of innovative change for the still young company. Bernhard Beurer, the son of the founding couple, joined the company at the age of 22 and brought youthful energy to the business. While the hard work producing heating pads continued in Ulm, Bernhard travelled all over the country, becoming a "one-man sales wonder". Helped by the generally good
economic situation and the extensive travel activities of Beurer junior, the company experienced a rapid upturn.
With the generation change, Beurer made a giant leap forward. In 1935, the company already had 100 employees. The extensive travel activities of Bernhard Beurer laid the foundations for successful distribution and the growth of the brand. Production had to be increased, which resulted in the relocation to a former restaurant in Söflinger Strasse in Ulm, where Beurer still has its head office to this day.
In the course of the war, however, the company's home city was not spared the serious consequences of the allied bombings, which became more and more intensive towards the end of the conflict. As an important centre of the German arms industry, the city was a key target for the bombings, which were increasingly intensified from 1944, and were also carried out during the daytime from spring of the same year. The worst attack took place on 17 December 1944. A total of 1500 tonnes of high-explosive and incendiary bombs turned the city of Ulm into a sea of flames.
In 1945, the whole company site in Söflingen lay in ruins and ashes, expensive machinery and raw materials had been destroyed and at first it looked like restarting would be impossible. The entrepreneurial spirit of the Beurer family was, as in many medium-sized German companies, unbroken and therefore the rebuilding of the Beurer plant began immediately after the end of the war. In the very same year, the company was able to start initial – albeit limited – production.
Beurer invested heavily in advertising and marketing.
Beurer appeared at the Hanover Trade Fair for the first time with its own stand.
The launch of the electric blanket by Beurer in Germany.
The patent for a stepless temperature control followed. In the same year, production of the bed warmer began. After slow sales to begin with, it increasingly became the biggest revenue contributor. Beurer presented modern irons, known as "high-speed ironers".
Construction of the new factory at Söflinger Strasse 218
Beurer was mentioned in the yearbook "Die westdeutsche Wirtschaft und ihre führenden Männer" (The West German economy and its leading men) by the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.
Due to lack of space at Söflinger Strasse, a branch was built in Uttenweiler. With 400 employees, a revenue of DM 6.5 million was achieved.
Hans-Dieter Bühler, the son-in-law of Bernhard Beurer, became the third generation of the family to join the company.
Celebration to mark the company's 50th anniversary featuring the yodeller Franz Lang and the Bavarian cabaret artist Georg Blädel. Beurer invested in numerous new manufacturing machines. Cooperation with the Stuttgart-based company Progress, resulting in successful expansion of the distribution network.
Käthe Beurer died in Ulm.
With 300 employees, Beurer was producing heating pads, electric blankets, coffee pot cosies, plate warmers and heated overalls for workers in cold conditions. Erich Deuser, physiotherapist to the German national football team, relied on the Beurer rheumatherm-vario heating pad.
Eugen Beurer died in Ulm, Bernhard Beurer took over as sole manager.
Purchase of the company Hadi, manufacturer of heating products.
Beurer presented its products at the "German Industrial Products" exhibition in Moscow.
Launch of high-speed bed warmers featuring a microprocessor-controlled signal wire.
Development of the first neck heating pad.
Start of the cooperation with sales representatives from all over the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Dutch importer Martex became a sales subsidiary.
Invention of the automatic switch-off function for heating products.
While Beurer boasted a considerable market share (approx. 75%) in the area of heating products at the beginning of the 1980s, the demand for this segment was gradually stagnating. To counteract this development, Beurer supplemented the range with other and new products that were not related to flexible heating. The expansion of the range was mainly pursued by Dr Hans-Dieter Bühler. The new category was christened with the trendsetting name "BodyFit". At that time, it included massagers, infrared lamps and blood pressure monitors. A particular highlight to mention is that Eberhard Gienger, World Champion on the high bar, became the new face of the BodyFit line advertisements in 1987. Over the years, "BodyFit" grew more and more rapidly and even though the name was dropped many years ago, the products from this area make up 70% of today's revenue.
Launch of blood pressure monitors and clinical thermometers.
Beurer was the market leader in Germany in the "flexible heating" sector. Growing market shares in the European region as well.
Repositioning of "BodyFit" in the direction of "Wellness".
Establishment of the production site in Veszprém, Hungary and the sales subsidiary Boneco in Vienna. Launch of room air-conditioners.
Until the beginning of the 1990s, the cat's head performed many years of faithful service as a trademark on posters, flyers, catalogues, as Beurer mascots and in many households a well-loved member of the family. Beurer stopped using the cat's head as a trademark for good after approx. 70 years. The reason for this decision was the expansion of the
range taking place at that time, which now also included many product groups that were no longer connected to the cat's head.
Acquisition of the Dutch market leader Inventum.
Acquisition of the hitherto largest and last competitor still producing in Germany, Wetzotherm. Beurer became the only manufacturer of flexible heating products in Germany.
Beurer was the leading manufacturer in Europe of electronic devices for health and well-being.
Beurer launched another product range: scales. Bernhard Beurer died in Ulm. The company remained in family ownership.
Start of fully automated production of underblankets. Marco Bühler became the fourth generation of the family to join the company and became technical director in 2004.
"Beauty" range expansion with manicure devices, facial saunas, etc.
Establishment of Beurer Far East Ltd., with head office in Hong Kong for quality control and supplier management. Worldwide partnerships and investments, expansion towards Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Launch of the heart rate monitor range. Beurer half marathon in Ulm.
Launch of the "Medical" product category and presentation of blood glucose monitors. Beurer among the top 100 most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany
Change of name from GmbH & Co. KG to Beurer GmbH.
Beurer celebrated its 90th anniversary. Beurer was once again in the top 100 most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany
Udo Walz by Beurer cooperation. With "Udo Walz by Beurer", the Ulm-based family company created its own world of haircare within its Beauty division and offered the basis for the perfect look with over 25 sophisticated beauty products.
Beurer is a traditional company and has been awarded the title of "Brand of the Century" by media and economic experts for its heating pads.
Beurer Connect had a new star – the HealthManager. The user has the option of transferring measured values to the HealthManager app via Bluetooth® technology and Near Field Communication or using the conventional USB method. Once there, measured values can be analysed and compared with each other. Web data can also be synchronised between the systems using HealthManager. With all these great features, Beurer offers a truly modern health management system.
Beurer expanded its range to include the AS 80 activity sensor and linked two more product groups "Activity" and "Sleep" to the HealthManager health management system.
Beurer once again named brand of the century for heating pads. The title was awarded by the renowned publisher Dr. Florian Langenscheidt.
Beurer is expanding its Connect range. Beurer's new range of apps covers many topics relating to health, well-being and safety – we have the right app for everyone.
Beurer is launching the SleepLine, which helps you to fall asleep, sleep through the night and wake up more easily. The family of apps is continuing to grow with the Beurer FreshRoom app, Beurer SleepQuiet app and the Beurer myIPL, thus following the trend of digitisation.
Oliver Neuschl becomes Commercial Director.
Beurer is among the "Top 100 Growth and Revenue Stars" chosen by the Munich Strategy Group, together with the daily newspaper "Die Welt". For this purpose, the sales and EBIT developments of 3,500 companies from 2011 to 2015 were evaluated. At number 34, we are in the top 1% of the 3,500 companies evaluated.
In order to position Beurer even more strongly in the global healthcare market, additional subsidiaries are being established in India, Poland and Switzerland.
Beurer takes over the fitness start-up Antelope. Antelope is known for its performance-enhancing sportswear with integrated electrodes for mobile electrostimulation.
This is a very special year for Beurer: Käthe and Eugen Beurer founded the company 100 years ago and laid the foundation for an innovative and successful company.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Beurer starts production of face masks and donates 25,000 masks to residents and staff at residential care facilities for the elderly in Ulm and Neu-Ulm.
Beurer launches a new product group called "Barbers Corner".
Beurer expands its site in Hungary into a European production facility for medical devices and now also manufactures products for the medical sector in addition to heat products.
Beurer launches collaborations with Barbara Becker, tennis star Angelique Kerber and the German Tennis Federation. The focus is on topics such as fitness, efficient training, regeneration and well-being.
Change in the management team: Alongside Marco Bühler and Oliver Neuschl, Sebastian Kebbe becomes the new Managing Director for Marketing & Sales.
The top model and TV star Rebecca Mir becomes the new face of Beurer's hair styling range. In cooperation with Beurer, she is now an advertising ambassador for three products for professional hair styling.
After a 3-year construction period, Beurer inaugurates the new administration building – the "Beurer Campus". In addition to offices and mobile workspaces, there is a new main entrance with a reception area and a large showroom for product presentation.
Beurer celebrates its success with its first TV campaign. The slogan for the ad is "Take care of yourself". Centrally in focus is one of the electric heating blankets and an electric heat pad.
Beurer is producing a comprehensive sustainability report for the first time. This action is because Beurer seeks to keep taking steps towards becoming a more sustainable company. Sustainable business and social commitment have been part of its corporate philosophy for many years now. In addition, Beurer has firmly established responsible resource usage in its corporate goals for the future.
Founding of the Beurer Benelux subsidiary in the Netherlands and Beurer Korea.
Introduction of the "Dental care" product category with two electric toothbrushes for healthy oral hygiene.
Beurer is also expanding its offering with the high-quality men's range. The product line includes a hair clipper, beard trimmer, multigroomer, rotary shaver and precision trimmer. Whether it's your hair, beard or body – our Beurer men's range has the perfect shaver for anyone to create their desired look.
A further highlight of the year is the EC SafePlus Emergency Wristband that makes everyday life even safer. This modern alternative to an emergency button is equipped with an automatic fall detection function which quickly contacts the emergency responders both at home and when on the go. In an emergency, the integrated speakerphone function also enables a voice connection to be established with the wristband wearer.