BARTEC Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Safety
What began in 1975 with the invention of a small explosion-proof switch for gasoline pumps has evolved over the past five decades into a success story that sets global standards. Today, BARTEC’s products and solutions are indispensable in nearly every industry, especially when it comes to the highest safety standards and protection in hazardous zones.
Reinhold A. Barlian’s vision of creating a groundbreaking switch for gas stations laid the foundation for a company that would go on to foster many more innovations. The founding of BARTEC in Bad Mergentheim marked the beginning of an international expansion that rapidly elevated the company to become a global leader in explosion protection.
Today, BARTEC is the world market leader in explosion protection and a leading expert in safe operations in hazardous zones. However, this success would not have been possible without the dedication and passion of our employees. Over the past 50 years, their expertise and tireless commitment have played a key role in living and advancing the purpose of our company: To protect what is most important.
Together, we look back with pride on what has been achieved and forward with confidence toward the future. Celebrate with us on this extraordinary journey and be inspired by the milestones that BARTEC and its employees have set over the past five decades.
1970s: The Origin of BARTEC
17.01.1975
On his 33rd birthday Reinhold A. Barlian founds his company “EFG- Einzelunternehmer”. EFG stands for Elektro-Feinmechanik Geräte. First developments are explosion-proof switches, controllers and terminal components for apparatus engineering and machines.
December 1975
Christmas 1975 is already celebrated with the first 3 employees. Reinhold A. Barlian recognizes the opportunities of the European market and develops his company in this direction (committees for standardization DIN, VDE). To make the company name work internationally, he created the name “BARTEC” - Barlian Technik.
1978
BARTEC starts its own training program.
1980s: Rapid Growth
03.10.1985
Article in the FAZ "From zero to fifty in 10 years. Building up the group of companies from nothing. From 0 to 50 million DM turnover over 400 employees."
1987 to 1996
Foundation of various country representatives and new locations
1987
First branch office in the Far East is founded in Tokyo, Japan
1990s: From Local to Global Company
1993
TÜV certification according to DIN ISO 9000 ff.
1994
Foundation of a subsidiary in the USA
1995
Start of construction of the new building in Bad Mergentheim
1996
Integration of the new locations in Menden and Gotteszell
Inauguration of the new building by the Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg Erwin Teufel
1997
Integration of the new production plant in Zagorje, Slovenia
1999
Integration of the mining business with site in Menden
2000s: Innovations, Awards and Acquisitions
From 2003 onward
Together with the Alliance Group, R. Barlian leads BARTEC into even greater growth and remains on the supervisory board of BARTEC until 2008
2003
Purchase of BENKE Instrument & Elektro GmbH, Reinbek
2004
Joint venture agreement with China - objective: development of new products for safety in Chinese mining
Foundation of the BARTEC Academy
2005
Change of the management from R. Barlian to Ralf Köster and opening of the joint venture plants in Changzhi (China) and in Russia
2006
Regula Award, Innovation Award of Medium-Sized Companies and AMA Award for Innovation (for sensor)
Newly developed POLARIS panel PC series with wireless communication wins several innovation awards.
Largest order in the company’s history: BARTEC delivers analyzer systems worth more than 15 million US $
2007
Innovation Award of the German Industry and AUTOMATION AWARD
2008
Takeover by the Swiss investment company Capvis
Foundation of a sales company in India and expo petrotrans Innovation Award
2009
Award as one of the 100 most innovative companies in the German medium-sized business sector
New production site Shanghai (China) is opened
Takeover of Vodec Ltd. and TOP 3 PROCESS Innovation Award, as well as successful participation in the TOP 100 company comparison and inclusion in the lexicon of German world market leaders
2010s: BARTEC's Global Partnerships and Advancements
2010
Acquisition of Technor Safe EX AS
2011
through 2 major orders most important supplier in process anlysis technology, Expansion of the product range Polaris Touch Panel PCs by a widescreen LED display - since then in the encyclopedia of world market leaders of the Heilbronn-Franken region
2012
Foundation of a joint venture in Saudi Arabia
Award of the TOP 100
Private equity company Chaterhouse becomes new owner
2013
Acquisition of Pixavi
2014
Acquisition of ORB
Acquisition of Top Group in Italy
2017
BARTEC and eVision enter a global partnership to drive mobile innovations
2018
Major update: Android 7.1.2 Nougat becomes available for BARTEC Pixavi mobile devices after rigorous testing. The revolutionary Wireless X wireless access point is introduced.
2019
BARTEC is backed by new owners, led by EQT Credit Opportunities Funds
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) program is launched to leverage business potential in digitalization
2020s: BARTEC Goes Digital
2020
BARTEC launches its LEAN initiative to improve processes throughout the organization.
The BARTEC Varnost engine division is given a new strategic direction with a new center of excellence in Zagorje, Slovenia.
2021
Sale of Menden/Mining to FairCap GmbH - Expotrec GmbH
More than 450 EMEA (European, Middle East, Africa Region) orders in six weeks underscore the success of the TC75X ex-NI Touch Computer for Zone 2/22 (which was developed jointly with Zebra Technologies).
2022
BARTEC launches its new Leadership Program, placing such topics as succession planning, retention of top talent, and employer branding on a new footing.
2023
Integration of Extronics Ltd, the British Wireless IIoT and Real-Time Location Systems specialist. BARTEC now offers the broadest connectivity portfolio for hazardous areas and is driving forward its digitization strategy.
2025 is a special year for BARTEC: We celebrate our 50th anniversary and we can be very proud of this success story.
Dr Martin Schefter, BARTEC CEO
