INDUSTRIAL COATINGS: A SHINING EXAMPLE THAT REFECTS EXPERIENCE, HIGH QUALITY AND CUSTOMER FOCUS

1922 - 1955
Founding
In 1922, Alexander Zelle founded Süddeutsches Lackwerk in Feldkirchen near Munich, primarily to manufacture paint for the local craft and paint trade marketed under the brand ‘Wetterwart’. The company ceased production during the war years and remained inactive until 1955.

1956 - 1973
New times
In 1956, the company buildings, some of which were destroyed during the war, are rebuilt, and production resumed. In 1960, 2nd generation family member, Jörg Zelle-Hahne, takes over management of the company. The product range is extended with new fast-drying synthetic resin coatings and primers. This results in sustained growth of the company’s agricultural machinery coatings division.

1974 - 1984
The transition
The owner, Katharina Zelle-Hahne, takes over management of the company in 1974. Under her leadership, construction of new production and administration buildings lay the foundation for the company’s successful transition from paint manufacturer to a supplier of innovative protective coating systems for the metalworking industry.

1985 - 1999
Challenges
Thomas Di Filippo joins the company as managing director. In 1986, quality and environmental management systems according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are implemented to meet the ever-increasing quality requirements of customers. In 1996, the company concludes an exclusive licensing agreement with AMERON International (now PPG) for heavy-duty corrosion protection products, which signals the start of Süddeutsche Lackwerk’s expansion internationally.

2000 - 2013
International positioning
From 2000, the company consolidates its position worldwide through license and trade agreement partnerships and agents in Europe and Asia. In 2006, the company expands the production facilities for water-soluble and high-solids coating materials with a new building on the Feldkirchen site. In 2009, construction begins on the product development laboratory building and the technical centre is re-equipped with modern testing and measurement technology. In 2012, Thomas Di Filippo exercises his shareholder rights, and assumes sole management of the company as CEO.

2014 - 2018
Focus on the core business
Antonio Cuddemi joins the growing management team as CTO. Industrial coatings, High-temperature-resistant coatings and functional coating systems become a new core business for the company with a focus on new developments in this area. This results in the successful market launch of Syno°Flon and Syno°Tec in 2016 as innovative, functional coatings with unique properties. Following this, in 2017, is the successful market launch of Silico°Therm, a new range of high-temperature-resistant coatings, sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.