Cologne Quality across the Globe
In the midst of Germany´s unsteady 1920s, courage was required for the foundation of an enterprise, even a small one. Ernst Kippes and his son Herbert were bold enough to start a business on 24th April 1924 in Koeln-Kalk envisioning several decades of manufacturing. Kippes first products were tying wire tools.
Form 1937 on, stronger packaging materials were called for, so Kippes developed their first steel strapping tools with corresponding seals. Ernst Kippes and his son themselves constructed and built the first machines to produce seals substantially enlarging the company’s range of production. Though modernised, the machines that were constructed back then are in use until today. Meanwhile, also the second son Fritz had joined the company.
Circumstances changed in 1939 when Fritz and some of the Kippes‘ stuff were drafted. Soon after, father Ernst retired and Herbert took over the company’s leadership. Under his conduct, machines with greater material efficiency were developed and increased the company’s sales. However, in October 1944, a bomb that destroyed the office and production facilities abruptly ended the company’s activities.
When Fritz Kippes had returned in 1945, new grounds were found in the Gremberger Straße 145, were the building’s reconstruction started already in May of the same year. The new production could start after the introduction of the currency union of 1948. The production hall constructed at that times is still operated today.
Thanks to the envisioning and planning capabilities of Kippes’ leadership, the range of production was continuously extended. Modern tools for manual and pneumatic steel strapping were incorporated in the programme as well as strapping tools for plastic strapping and strapping machines. The whole production line remained within the Kippes facilities in Cologne under own leadership.
Additionally, Kippes produced seals in many forms and shapes for all company´s tools.
A special tool development and construction department for the seals production was established providing greater flexibility and independence.
In 1965, Ernst-Dieter Kippes, the son of Fritz, joined Kippes. It was him who assisted the expansion of the sales volume on foreign markets of Europe and the World. From now on, Kippes regularly presented its products on exhibitions of the packaging industry.
Meanwhile Kippes developped and constructed seals for their produced tools but also for other strapping systems. Modernisations of the manufacturing process increased the production and strengthened Kippes position on the market.
The range of tools was continuously advanced up to the production of complete packaging lines.
Following the economic challenges of the 1990s, Ernst-Dieter decided to focus on the specialisation of seals. The tool programme was maintained, including the supply of spare parts and the repair service of tools.
Kippes was united with the fourth generation in 1993 when Claudia Freese, the first daughter of Ernst-Dieter, joined the enterprise. She assumed the leadership in 2001. Since 2013, her sister Katja Flink became active as well. When the second daughter joined the leadership in 2022, Ernst-Dieter Kippes went to his well deserved retirement. Together, the sisters develop Kippes for future challenges.