• Our History

    The company’s roots are in steel construction. Company founder Ortwin Goldbeck’s success rests on his concept of systematic modular construction, his willingness to innovate and the trust he places in his employees.
  • 1969

    Good ideas and a bit of luck

    The young engineer Ortwin Goldbeck is full of ideas. He has his very own vision for modern steel construction. And he wants to stand on his own two feet in the business world. On 1 September 1969, he and seven employees establish “Goldbeck KG Hallenbau und Stahlbau” and begin the production of steel construction elements, marking the start of an outstanding success story.

    1970

    A successful triumvirate

    Shortly after the company is founded, Ortwin Goldbeck brings two managing directors to join him in Ummeln: his childhood friend Hans-Heinrich Knufinke in 1970, and his school friend and brother-in-law Dieter Pohlmann just two years later. While Ortwin Goldbeck concentrates on the core business – the manufacture of steel elements and the related technical innovations – Knufinke takes over the commercial management and Pohlmann focuses on the sales network.

    1973

    Close to the customer

    The first GOLDBECK branch is opened in Hanover-Langenhagen, Germany. This marks an important step on the path to the company’s decentralised sales network. 

    1974

    Modern steel architecture

    Bielefeld sees the grand opening of a forward-thinking, prestigious administration building with a supporting structure and steel facade. Known as the GOLDBECK House, the building serves as the management headquarters until 2018.

    1980

    Systematic modular construction

    From the mid-1980s, besides traditional industrial buildings, GOLDBECK also begins constructing office buildings and multi-storey car parks, using elements from their own production. This forms the basis of the company’s growth and its further enterprising development. About 200 people are employed at GOLDBECK at this time.

    1984

    Employee participation scheme

    The first year after introducing an employee investment option, the company issues 160 share certificates worth 100,000 Deutschmarks. About 600 employees are working at GOLDBECK at this time. This unprecedented shareholding model will go on to receive numerous awards.

    1990

    Eastward expansion

    In summer of 1990, GOLDBECK opened a small, provisional construction office in a former textile plant in Falkenstein, Saxony. One year later, the company lays the foundation stone for a plant to manufacture steel elements in Treuen, Saxony.
    Today Treuen is one of the largest GOLDBECK locations in Europe.

    1997

    Expansion into Europe

    To continue its strategic growth, the company establishes GOLDBECK International in 1997. The company immediately begins tapping new markets in Europe and experiences rapid growth. Today, GOLDBECK is active in over 20 European countries with branches and offices.  

    1998

    Design, construction and maintenance

    GOLDBECK Facility Management - today GOLDBECK Services - completed the existing product portfolio in 1998. From now on, GOLDBECK is able to look after the buildings even after completion with facility, property and parking services.

    1999

    A product showroom

    The first GOLDBECK System Center is opened in Bielefeld. It showcases building exhibits in their original size on an area covering 2,000 square metres and gives customers a vivid impression of element-based construction with a system.

    2001

    GOLDBECK Rhomberg is founded in Austria.

     

    In Austria, GOLDBECK joins forces with the Bregenz-based construction company Rhomberg to form a 50/50 joint venture. With bundled competences, it will from now on primarily serve the Austrian and Swiss markets.

    2006

    Building redevelopment

    Establishment of the Building Redevelopment unit. Besides new-builds, GOLDBECK now also carries out the design and construction of energetic, architectural and functional refurbishments.

    2007

    Founding of GOLDBECK Public Partner GmbH

    GOLDBECK Public Partner GmbH offers a portfolio especially tailored to the public sector, consisting of design, construction and services. For a flat fee, experts develop properties for long-term building operation, which they maintain for up to 30 years after completion.

    2007

    The next generation

    Ortwin Goldbeck moves to the Supervisory Board and hands over the reins to his sons Jörg-Uwe and Jan-Hendrik, who now manage the company with about 1,600 employees. His son Joachim is active in the solar industry.

    2009

    Monumental growth

    The construction industry experiences a huge boom after the financial crisis of 2008. GOLDBECK is well prepared for this upswing, thanks to early investments in its own prefabricated concrete plant in Hamm, Westphalia. The company has about 3,000 employees at this time.

    2017

    Entrepreneur of the Year

    In November 2017, Ortwin Goldbeck and his sons Jörg-Uwe and Joachim receive the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. The award recognises outstanding entrepreneurship in over 60 countries around the world and is one of the most distinguished awards in the business world.

    50 years of GOLDBECK anniversary film
    2019

    Anniversary

    GOLDBECK celebrates its 50th year in business with an evening gala at the company headquarters in Bielefeld. A lot has happened since the company was founded in 1969: At this point, more than 7,000 people work at GOLDBECK.

    2019

    Growing Together

    That same year, French construction company GSE becomes a part of GOLDBECK. This enables the Bielefeld-based family business to cover the markets in southern Europe.

    2021

    €4.1 billion in total turnover

    GOLDBECK once again completes its most successful financial year since being founded.

    2022

    Off to Scandinavia 
    GOLDBECK acquires 100 percent of the company shares in the Danish family-owned company DS Gruppen and taps into markets in Scandinavia. DS Gruppen is a leader in the turnkey construction of commercial properties in Denmark and the production of steel and concrete building components.

    2022

    Total output of over 5 billion euros, more than 11,000 employees and 104 locations in Europe.

    In addition to these milestones we achieved in the business year 2021/22, another focus is on the topic of sustainability.