Stone is the basis on which REITZ Natursteintechnik manufactures high-precision machine components and complete systems for many products that are used in daily life. Customers have appreciated our excellent product quality, special value-added and comprehensive services for over 30 years now. So how did the move from quarry to high-tech company actually come about? In the beginning was the stone...
The foundation stone for high-precision components was laid together with the LEITZ company of Wetzlar in 1987. The cooperation agreement still exists today.
REITZ is known internationally to stand for innovation and reliability in natural stone technology. The key to its excellent reputation is the personal and comprehensive advice, which also includes technical feasibility. Consulting and the subsequent production analysis ensure the high quality of the products. In 1986, managing director Egbert Reitz had the idea of using the properties of natural stone in machine construction. Since then, REITZ has been processing granite in all dimensions into machine components with very good thermal and vibration-damping properties.
1984 Egbert Reitz at the presentation of the certificate to the state winner of stone masons and sculptors in Wiesbaden by the state master craftsman
LEITZ's problem and REITZ's solution
Egbert Reitz first had dealings with "technical stones" in 1986. The driving force behind the change from the gravestone to the measuring plates was the LEITZ company of Wetzlar (now Hexagon). LEITZ was having problems with precision. As Egbert Reitz had trained at LEITZ, his contacts were made aware of the problem and developed the solution. So the problem at LEITZ gave rise to the idea at REITZ of making the change to the production of precision measuring machines for measuring technology.
LEITZ & REITZ: Partners to this day
Working in close cooperation with LEITZ, Egbert Reitz founded his own department that produced "technical stones" from the rough stone by sawing, grinding and drilling it. The cooperation agreement that was signed in September 1987 still exists today. The first member of staff was taken on that same month, with the next one following in winter. In 2020, Reitz employed 110 members of staff in production and administration.
Becoming the market leader for complete assemblies
The only problem: there were no machines for processing the granite blocks on the market. Egbert Reitz and his team had to design and build their own. And as is often the case, a virtue was made of this necessity. The acquired market, product and industry knowledge not only enabled REITZ to create machines for industry in components, assemblies or completely, but also to accompany the entire process professionally and independently from finding ideas and solutions to commissioning the finished machine, at an early stage. Today, REITZ is the market leader for customer-specific machines in this field.
Left: Herrmann Reitz and family at the time of the founding of the company in 1946, at the Asslar quarry. Right: Son Friedel Reitz takes over the company from his father Herrmann in 1947.
74 years of the REITZ family business
The origins of the REITZ company go back to September 1946, when Herrmann Reitz first started extracting raw stones from his own quarry in Asslar. From 1952, the stone blocks were cut into tranches and sold. The company started manufacturing gravestones when son Friedel Reitz joined it in 1958. The third generation with Egbert Reitz continued with the production of gravestones from 1984 until 1987, when the first measuring plates fundamentally changed the business model and its further development.
The next generation is already in the starting blocks: manager Christopher Reitz is ready to write the next chapters in the company's history. His mission: for the company to focus even more on the modern customer's needs. To this end, the company is working on the digitalisation of processes so that the customer can be served better, faster and even more effectively.
To anyone who is interested in the industry and would like to take a look behind the scenes at REITZ, we suggest coming along on one of our factory tours, where they will be able to experience REITZ TEC QUALITY live.
