Herkula history
HERKULA always in motion
The company history of HERKULA goes back to the year 1894. The company´s place of origin is Krefeld (Germany). Since the 1950s the tireless commitment, farsightedness, determination and sense of responsibility of Mr. Bodo Franke has led to an exceptional industrial success story and to international awareness of our company. Since Mr. Bodo Franke died, at 25th of January, 2012, the company, which is now fully owned by the charitable foundation "Stiftung Bodo und Jutta Franke Deutschland", is managed in this spirit.
The milestones of the corporate development are summarized in the following timeline:
2018
Opening of a second R&D laboratory in Aachen
2017
Worldwide sales directly from our production site in St.Vith
2015
Our laboratory has successful eliminate all ecological-critical solvents, binders and additives in numerous solvent-based Herkula products. Moreover we developed solvent-based gravure printing inks for the cable industry which are non-hazardous to health and environmentally friendly.
Furthermore the year 2015 was marked by an active presence at international fairs such as WIRE South East Asia in Bangkok, Cable & Wire India in New Delhi, SVIAZ/ EXPO COMM in Moscow, WIRE South America in Sao Paolo, Kunststoffen in Veldhoven (The Netherlands), and MIDEST in Paris.
2014
Certifications of the managements systems ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 have been extended by AIB Vinçotte International SA Brussels until December 18th, 2017
2013
From now on the Herkula Internet presence has a new face. www.herkula.com not only has a neat design, but also got a completely new content. The extensive rejuvenating cure has been done in order to present our products and the company Herkula in a modern, informative and customer-oriented style. Just take a look at the following pages. You will surely appreciate our new face!
2011
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Belgian Herkula company, the laboratory has been renewed completely and equipped with numerous more measuring and testing equipment.
Bernard Sproten assumes the company management.
2008
Launch of Tight Buffer materials for Fiber to the Home (FTTH)
2006
Thermostable UV resins (150 °C long term stress) was brought onto the market
2004
Development of flame retardant UV resins (FRNC, ZH) for glas fiber industry
2003
Marketing of water-based ring-marking inks for PVC and PE
2002
Herkula is certified to ISO 9001:2000
2002
Herkula is certified to ISO 14001
1994
Almost complete replacement of solvent-based inks by UV inks for grain printing
1993
Herkula is certified to ISO 9001
1989
Spread of grain printing (wood imitation) on plastics
1988
Beginnings of the printing of panels with solvent-based inks and later UV inks
1984
Presentation of UV-curable inks for optical fibres
1978
Introduction of UV-curable coatings
1974
Opening of the “Farbwerke Herkula St. Vith S.A.” by King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola.
1971
Foundation of the “Farbwerke Herkula St. Vith S.A.”
1970
Introduction of solvent-based and water-based coatings for plastics, such as PVC, ABS, PP, PA and others for the automotive industry
1954
Development of special inks and varnishes for ring marking, gravure and offset printing for PVC and PE insulated wires and cables
1952
Production of gravure printing inks and inks and varnishes for PVC films
1950
Marketing of inks and varnishes for industry
1906
Registration of the brand “Herkula – water-soluble ink” with the Imperial Patent Office 93340.
1894
Founded in Krefeld, Germany as a manufacturer of weatherproof, mineral-based inks