Cologne celebrates: 300 years of success story of a roller world champion!

Cologne celebrates: 300 years of success story of a roller world champion!

In Cologne-Braunsfeld there is a real piece of jewelry from the industrial landscape: Felix Böttcher GmbH & Co. KG. At a celebration in the historic town hall, Mayor Henriette Reker paid tribute to the company's achievements, which celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2025. The managing directors Franz-Georg and Max Heggemann ceremoniously entered into the city's guest book and emphasized the anchoring of the company in the Cologne tradition. But what makes the company so special?

Felix Böttcher GmbH is a typical example of a "hidden champion". These companies are often little known, but achieve a leadership position in their niche markets. The Cologne rollers with elastomers deliver a proud 70% of the first equipment for printing machines worldwide. In addition, their products are also used in plastic, paper, metal and wood processing, which underlines the innovative strength and diversity of the product range. Another area is handrails for escalators and rubber compounds used in pharmacy, medicine and in sports, as [sustainable production] (https://nachthaltigen-produktion.de/hidden-champions-der-deutschen-wirtschaft-.

a company with history

The roots of Felix Böttcher go back to 1725 when Johannes Jacobus Lohsen founded the company. In the 18th century, the company switched from the glue song to the production of gelatin for pressure rollers. In 1890 there was a merger with the work of Felix Böttcher in Leipzig. For the Cologne location, a traumatic year was in 1944 when it was completely destroyed by bomb attacks, but the return was not long in coming. This resilient skill is still in the corporate management. Max Heggemann emphasizes the advantages of the Cologne location, including the concentrated chemical industry and the availability of well -trained specialists who are crucial for the ongoing success, while he also does not go to challenges such as increased energy prices and bureaucracy.

The term "Hidden Champion" was shaped by Hermann Simon in 1990 and describes companies that are internationally leading in their niche and at the same time achieve annual sales of less than 5 billion euros. These companies are characterized by high specialization, innovative strength and a long -term corporate strategy. Felix Böttcher is no exception here: High investments in research and development ensure that the company will remain competitive not only today, but also in the future, as Credit Anstalt.

meaning for the region and the economy

The importance of the hidden champions for the German economy is enormous. They create jobs, promote training and contribute to the stability of medium -sized companies. With their high export share, they strengthen Germany's trade balance and drive innovation processes forward. Felix Böttcher follows this trend: With around 2,000 employees in 38 countries and 27 production facilities, the company has a strong international presence and shows how important such companies are for the regional economy.

Mayor Reker described Felix Böttcher as the "figurehead of the Cologne industrial location". The pride that the management and the city feel about this success story is obvious. At a time when many companies have to deal with challenges such as digitization and shortage of skilled workers, Felix Böttcher remains a shining example of innovation, adaptability and sustainable success.