Flender, marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its 125th anniversary at its main site in Bocholt, Germany. The grand event, held on Friday evening, was attended by over 2,500 guests, including employees from Flender’s sites in Bocholt, Mussum, and Voerde, along with representatives from customers, suppliers, associations, politics, and regional partners.
The anniversary festivities were inaugurated by Andreas Evertz, CEO of Flender, who expressed pride in the company’s legacy and its transformative role in drive technology and sustainable practices. “We have always been and will always be a large Flender family,” said Evertz, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing the energy transition and global industrial transformation.
The highlight of the evening was a spectacular anniversary show that combined multimedia presentations with acrobatics and dance, symbolizing Flender’s impact across the four elements of life: water, air, earth, and fire. A drone show illuminated the Bocholter night sky, representing the fifth element – Flender and its workforce, who hold the future of the company and energy transition in their hands.
NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst, who attended the event, commended Flender’s role as a cornerstone of German engineering and its significant contribution to the energy transition. “125 years of innovation ‘made in North Rhine-Westphalia’: Flender stands for top-class German engineering,” said Wüst, emphasizing Flender’s vital role in strengthening the industrial base and creating jobs in the region.
The celebration also included a Family Day, where employees welcomed their families and friends to explore Flender’s production facilities. The event showcased Flender’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, highlighted by demonstrations in the company’s hardening shop where visitors witnessed the production of high-precision gears.
Flender has been at the forefront of drive technology innovation since its inception. In 1991, it introduced the world’s first gear unit series based on a platform, setting an industry standard that continues to evolve. Today, Flender’s latest innovation, “Flender One,” integrates AIQ digital gearbox intelligence and automated engineering processes, enhancing energy efficiency and resource utilization.
Recognized globally for its sustainability initiatives, Flender has achieved an 86 percent reduction in its own CO2 emissions and is ranked in the top one percent of the world’s most sustainable companies by EcoVadis. The company’s commitment to circular economy principles ensures that up to 99 percent of its gearboxes are recyclable, contributing to resource conservation and environmental stewardship.
Looking ahead, Flender remains steadfast in its mission to drive industrial transformation and support global sustainability goals through innovative technology and responsible business practices.