History

1953 A renowned textile company and an innovative textile specialist join forces.

Tempex is founded in 1953 in Reutlingen with the help of the former main shareholder of the company, Ulrich Gminder AG Reutlingen, a highly renowned Swabian textile company with 2,000 employees. As an innovative textile specialist, Tempex holds its own patents for special heat protection. In view of this, Tempex commissions the Gminder company to metallise textile materials for the manufacture of protective clothing for workplaces that are particularly exposed to heat, as well as for fire protection and various authorities.

1958 First customers in the steel industry

After years of development and testing, Tempex got its first customers, above all in the steel industry. As a result, Tempex sets up its first sales office in Düsseldorf in 1958, so that it is as close as possible to its customers.

1964 Two textile specialists come together – Tempex becomes a subsidiary of Ploucquet

The company Ulrich Gminder AG goes into liquidation in 1964. The company C.F. Ploucquet GmbH & Co from Heidenheim takes over the textile specialist Tempex as a wholly owned subsidiary. Just like Tempex, Ploucquet also metallises textile materials, but uses another procedure.
As a result, Tempex’s headquarters are moved to Heidenheim and a small factory is opened in Bartholomä, in the former district of Schwäbisch Gmünd.
Initially, Tempex’s main focus is the development of the market for metallised protective clothing and today it is still the market leader in this field – now as it was then.

1967 Everything points towards growth: Tempex Austria

The Tempex story increasingly becomes a success story – in 1967, Tempex Austria is founded in Steyr, Austria.

1971 Tempex creates a new fabric and breaks through into the industry for cold protection

Thanks to a newly developed fabric, the original specialist for heat protection expands its protective clothing range. From 1966, Tempex prepares the market launch of the newly developed fabric with a steam-permeable polyurethane coating for industrial use. 1971 Tempex finally makes its breakthrough on the market thanks to the recognition of these materials as protective materials for winter construction work.

1974 Tempex is growing and growing: Tempex UK

News spreads of the Tempex quality and the company earns itself an international reputation. Consequently, a further subsidiary is founded in the form of Tempex UK in Leighton Buzzard, Great Britain.

1975 Completion of the first range for cold protection

In 1975 Tempex launches the first range for cold protection – and in the meantime moves its headquarters to Heidenheim.

1980 Tempex steps up the pace

Heidenheim becomes the centre of excellence for protective clothing. In tune with this, the sales office in Düsseldorf is moved to Heidenheim. On the one hand, undoubtedly to cut costs. On the other hand, to speed up the logistics. Exports are boosted by this.

1984 The innovative minds from Heidenheim successfully enter the multifunctional sector

In 1984 the developers from Tempex begin to develop protective clothing from barrier layer materials. This is both fully waterproof and windproof and is also much more steam-permeable than previously used materials. In view of this, Tempex is still predestined to supply clothing systems that also guarantee the maximum wearing comfort even in unpleasant weather.

2005 Tempex stands completely on its own feet

2005 is the year of the big turning point: the wholly owned Ploucquet subsidiary becomes a fully independent company. Tempex Holding AG in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, takes over the Tempex companies.

2007 The new company headquarters ushers in a new company spirit

As part of its new-found independence, Tempex moves into new headquarters: ‘In Den Seewiesen 26/1’ in Heidenheim. The openness and transparency of the architecture is ideal for allowing a new company spirit to unfold.

2008 Well equipped for the special challenges of the individual markets

As befits a specialist, Tempex GmbH has been clearly split into four market segments since 2008. Tempex Heidenheim is the centre of excellence for heat, cold and multifunctional protection worldwide. Tempex in Steyr, Austria, has global responsibility for the segment of protective clothing for firefighters.

2009 The new strength is recognisable at first glance

Tempex originally stood out for constantly setting new benchmarks for protective clothing. With a new dose of innovativeness and a consistent customer focus, Tempex is proud to continue this tradition. This strength is also visible in the new Tempex catalogues. They have been totally revamped: the structure makes it fast and easy to find things. The products once again prove that Tempex far exceeds any standards. And the refreshingly new catalogue design makes the uniqueness of Tempex noticeable at first glance.