The Berndorf Band Group

The Berndorf Band Group has attained the position of global leader in the production of steel belts and steel belt systems thanks to their 90 years of experience and sales ranging in the area of 100 million euros. Employing a staff of approximately 400 and operating in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, the group consists of the parent company Berndorf Band, nine subsidiaries and  partner companies.

Our business unit

The company produces premium-grade steel belts and offers comprehensive solutions for steel belts and steel belt systems that encompass engineering, services and customer care. Our wide-ranging solutions are incorporated in production and conveying processes found in every industry. Thanks to our longtime experience and the close cooperation among the companies of the Berndorf Band Group and the constant coordination with our customers, we can make and deliver process systems on a global scale that are both all-inclusive and fully customized.

The Berndorf Band Group timeline

Reliability and quality since 1843.

1843

Foundation of Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik

Alfred Krupp and Alexander Schoeller founded the k. k. privileged Metallwarenfabrik in Berndorf in 1843.

1923

First production of a film casting belt made of copper

At the beginning of the 1920s, Berndorf was the only supplier of film belts made of copper and nickel.

1957

Film production back in Berndorf

After the withdrawal of the Russian army from Austria in 1955 and the nationalization of the former German industrial property, including both Ranshofen and Berndorf, the Berndorf factory was found from 1957 onwards as a branch of the state enterprise Vereinigte Metallwerke Ranshofen-Berndorf AG, VMW. The film production was thus moved back to Berndorf.

1960

Production of mirror polished steel belts

In 1960, Berndorf started the production of steel belts for the film and foil industry with a highly polished surface made of stainless steel, called NICRO. The unusual name NICRO has historical origin. Krupp has protected this brand name internationally some decades ago for the stainless steel Berndorf cutlery made of the steel type chrome-nickel 18/8.

1965

Development of longitudinally welded steel belts

Due to the high market demand, a special process has been developed which allows length welding of long steel belts to produce belts up to a width of about 3m – the revolutionary longitudinal welding technology.

1970

Production of process belts

Equipment of the chemical and food industry with Berndorf steel belts.

1975

Establishment of a joint venture in Japan

Branch under the designation “Nippon Belting Co. Ltd” with offices in Tokyo and Osaka.

1976

Foundation of a representation in the USA

The agency for steel belts “International Conveyor Belts (ICB)” (today: Berndorf Belt Technology) included the production of steel belt systems in the product portfolio.

1976

Production of the first steel belt for double belt presses

Berndorf was pioneer in the development of steel belts for double belt presses, which are used in the wood processing industry.

1988

Management Buy Out

Management Buy Out of the nationalized industry and employee participation.

1988

Foundation of a subsidiary in Korea

The subsidiary “Berndorf Steelbelt Systems” was the first Austrian company founded in Korea.

1992

Build-up of the mechanical engineering group

Delivery of the first PI Caster to China.

1999

First PMMA Caster

Delivery of the first PMMA Caster for the continuous production of acrylic sheets.

2000

Production of the first textured belt

Production of the first textured belt for the continuous manufacturing of laminates for the construction and furniture industry, as a consequence of the merchandise with Hueck.

2002

Establishment of a company in China

Branch under the designation “Beijing Berndorf Technology Development China” with offices in Peking.

2006

Development of a new grinding technology

Grinding technology for steel belt processing. The steel belts with a width of up to 9 m are used by one of the world's leading manufacturers in the paper industry.

2008

Foundation of the Berndorf Band Engineering GmbH in Austria

For the build-up of the external belt systems business the Berndorf Band Engineering GmbH was founded.

2009

Development of a belt tracking roller

Development of a belt tracking roller for optimum belt tracking.

2012

Delivery of the first Filter Membrane Caster

For the production of Filter Membranes for medical applications.

2012

Development of the Modular Double Belt Press

Production processes can be designed flexible for the first time because the machine allows different combinations of any number of modules.

2016

Acquisition of assets for the belts of laminate industry from Sandvik Surface Solutions

The existing portfolio of the laminate business has been increased and the range of products extended.