The history of GECHEM:
Genuine value creation since 1861
At GECHEM, we can look back on more than 160 years of history. This is a summary of the most important milestones in our history. Have fun exploring!
Today: The story continues
GECHEM continues to further develop its expertise and machine park with issues such as energy efficiency, sustainability, and solutions for the consequences of demographic change becoming a particular focus of strategic company development.
2023: Thomas Nighswonger joins the company as successor to the management board
2010: Martina Nighswonger becomes owner
After initially acquiring five per cent of the share capital in 2007, Martina Nighswonger, the managing director, takes on the entire group in 2010 and becomes the strategic driver of the company’s development: production capacities are further enlarged and more people join the permanent workforce.
2007: Inauguration of new building with photovoltaic system
When building a new packaging hall GECHEM decides to install the first photovoltaic system. This turns GECHEM into a pioneer for sustainable energy generation.
2006: Acquisition of Spiess Chemicals
To use synergy effects at the Kleinkarlbach site GECHEM acquires Dr. Spiess Chemische Fabrik GmbH (Spiess Chemicals) as a wholly owned subsidiary.
2003: Development of first own recipes
In the segment of detergents and cleaning agents, GECHEM develops the first recipes of its own, thereby widening its product range. It does not take long for these recipes to be in great demand and sold as private-label products to own brands.
1995: First DIN ISO 9001 Certification
Despite being a medium-sized company GECHEM decides very early on to apply for the first DIN ISO certification (DIN ISO 9001). The following years were to see many more certifications.
1991: Spin-off of GECHEM GmbH & Co KG
GECHEM GmbH & Co KG emerges from the production and filling departments of C.F. Dr. Spiess & Sohn GmbH & Co. Apart from agricultural chemicals, automotive chemicals as well as detergents and cleaning agents, construction chemicals are now being processed and filled on a contract basis.
From 1980: Production of detergents and cleaning agents on a contract basis
The contract manufacturing and filling business is expanded to include the production of detergents and cleaning agents. Soon, more and more manufacturers began to utilise our company’s production and filling capacities: our expertise in this product category grew rapidly.
1925: Further development of the product range
Inspired by Justus von Liebig, a relative of the founder, the company starts producing crop protection products – a product category which, at that time, is very much in demand in the wine-growing region of the Pfalz. Initially, the focus is on crop protection for viticulture. Later on, the company adds products for the cultivation of fruit, vegetables, and grains.
1861: Company formation
Carl Friedrich Spiess founds the company as “Erdfarbenbereitungsgeschäft” (earth paint preparation business) trading under the name of “C.F. Spiess & Sohn GmbH & Co”. At that time, the firm mainly produces paints.
