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  • Home
  • About optibelt
  • About us
  • History

    • Time travel through our company's history

    Over 150 years of tradition and innovation

    More than 150 years ago, in 1872, Emil Arntz founded the "Höxtersche Gummifädenfabrik". Today known as the Arntz Optibelt Group, we are still a family-owned company. Our headquarters have been and still are located in Höxter from the very beginning - and the group of companies is still owned by the descendants of its founder. Over the decades, we have steadily driven the company's development, including the production of V-belts from 1948.

    Today, we are one of the world's leading manufacturers of drive solutions - with the great-great-grandson of our founder, Konrad Ummen, as one of our managing directors. And our more than 2,300 employees are also part of the Optibelt family. Together, we are thinking about the future of our company so that we can continue to successfully pass it on generation after generation and develop it sustainably.

    Thinking in generations

    Son
    1866 - 1934

    Richard Arntz

    Managing director from 1909 to 1929

    After the death of his father Emil, Richard Arntz takes over the management of the company in 1909. By traveling to almost every country in the world, he steadily expands the customer base.

    Grandson
    1888 - 1970

    Paul Khulo

    Managing director from 1929 to 1959

    In 1929, Paul Kuhlo, grandson of Emil Arntz, takes over the management of the company. In 1958, he is awarded the Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class for his many charitable activities.

    1948: Start of V-belt production

    A milestone in 1948: As the demand for rubber threads and toothed rubber was very low after the end of the war, the then Managing Director Paul Kuhlo was convinced that the production of V-belts offered a more secure economic basis for the future. When the production license was granted in 1948, the V-belt production began under the name "Optibelt".

    With its rise to become one of the leading V-belt manufacturers in Germany, Höxtersche Gummifädenfabrik became a prime example of the German economic miracle in the 1950s.

    Our products over the course of time

    Observing the market, recognizing opportunities. In addition, the ability not to cling to the status quo, but to constantly develop good things further. Above all, having the courage to break new ground or reinvent yourself. Exactly when the time is right. These skills have ensured our survival even in turbulent times and have made Optibelt great. Our products through the ages tell this success story in their very own way.

    1872

    It all began - as the company name "Höxtersche Gummifädenfabrik" at the time suggests - with the production of rubber threads for the textile industry.

    1875

    Over the next few years, molded rubber articles were added to the product range: brake pads for carriages, pedal blocks for bicycles, doormats, soccer bladders, ice bags, hot water bottles, suction discs for dentures and air and water cushions.

    Also in the range: rubberized fabrics for the manufacture of aprons, miners' suits and bed pads.

    1947

    After the Second World War, Höxtersche Gummifädenfabrik reinvents itself: the raw material "rubber" is retained, but a completely new product is added to the portfolio: the V-belt.

    1950er

    Under the name OPTIBELT, the V-belt made in Höxter quickly becomes a trademark in the industry. It is initially used primarily in industry, agriculture and automotive sector.

    2000

    optibelt RED POWER

    2015

    optibelt DELTA CHAIN

    Our logo over the course of time

    The exterior view of Höxtersche Gummifädenfarbrik is the first known company logo. It adorned letterheads, price lists and product catalogs. From the mid-1920s, the Elephant seal can also be found on product brochures in conjunction with the company name. From 1952, we used the cross-sectional view of a V-belt together with the term optibelt for the first time. Just as our company has continued to develop dynamically, our image has also undergone moderate but constant change. In the course of the introduction of our new brand concept, the face of our logo changed again in 2012.

    1920

    1952