SOMMER – Our history
1890 – 1933 – 1962: Two generations lay solid ground
It was Franz Sommer who paved the way for SOMMER to become a solutions provider in the sectors of façades and building security. In 1933 he took over the locksmithery located in Hof at that time from his father and founder of the company, Eduard Sommer, and started manufacturing windows and doors for sensitive fire compartments in buildings. The next step towards future success was made in 1958: SOMMER designed and mounted the first façade completely made of aluminium.
1962 – 2002: SOMMER expands in all divisions
As of 1962 the history of the company is shaped by the third generation under the leadership of Horst Sommer and experiences steady growth. Be it the relocation of the headquarters to Döhlau – and the subsequent expansion of the company as a manufacturing company - or the first substantial orders on physical protection constructions for the German nuclear power plants and later on also for the intermediate storage facilities in Germany and Switzerland; all this helps to develop new fields of business. In his 40 years of entrepreneurship Horst Sommer gives the company the decisive impulse for dynamic growth in all areas.
Since 2002: Development of the international project business
In 2002 Iris Sommer-Pechstein and Oliver Sommer take over the leadership of the company in the fourth generation. They are aiming at strengthening the innovative power of the company in the areas of products and processes and, as a consequence, at enhancing the degree of internationalisation in the project business. Advisory skills on a international scale for safety concepts in the high-security business, innovative products and systems combined with high vertical integration – Made in Germany. These are the cornerstones of our corporate policy. The formation of subsidiaries in the USA, England and France as well as a sales co-promotion in Russia round off our corporate strategy. Thinking big bears fruit and shows positive results in all three divisions – Façades, Building Security, Nuclear Technology – in the form of substantial orders at home and abroad.