Interesting factsabout Barthel Group

About Barthel

Barthel Group is a medium-sized group and, as such, an established player on the European label market. Since its foundation in 1984, Barthel Group has enjoyed steady growth. Today, it comprises a total of eight companies as a group and produces around 300,000 square meters of labels per day at six locations.

After starting out as a producer of labels for fresh produce, Barthel was able to establish itself in all markets over time. The group offers its customers industry-specific, customised solutions. It stands out with its know-how, experience, and cutting-edge machinery.

Corporate history

1984
Founding of Barthel GmbH by Joachim Barthel and Detlef Klusman
The company started out in the backyard of a former carpentry shop in Essen-Steele with three employees. Price and weighing labels (thermal labels) for the fruit trade were produced on one production machine at first.
1984
1990
Move to company’s own premises in Daniel-Eckhardt-Straße 10
The company expanded its manufacture to decorative labels for industry use. The constant expansion of the offer and the purchase of 3 new machines necessitated this move in 1990. The company now also manufactures decorative labels for industry. The constant expansion of the offer and the purchase of 3 new machines necessitated this move in 1990.
1990
1993
Enlargement of the premises through an extension
1993
1996
Installation of the first offset printing press
1996
1997
Establishment of Barthel in the Dutch market by Managing Director Jules Simon
1997
2005
Founding of Barthel Digitalprint GmbH
The future is digital! This is why Barthel Digitalprint GmbH was one of the first companies that decided to invest in this area in 2005. Many cutting-edge digital printing and finishing machines now produce short and medium runs here around the clock.
2005
2007
Acquisition of Dutch company KienLabel BV and foundation of Barthel Nederlands BV
The acquisition of KienLabel lays the foundation for establishment of Barthel Group. Through KienLabel, it is now able to offer its customers expertise in printing multifunctional multi-layered labels.
2007
2009
Successful integration of blank label manufacturer EtiPro GmbH into the group
The acquisition of EtiPro GmbH enabled Barthel Group to expand its core competencies to comprise the production of blank labels along with sale of printing systems and thermal transfer films.
2009
2013
Expansion of the premises in Essen through a further attachment
2013
2014
Successful integration of D.E.S. - Die Etiketten Spezialisten GmbH into Barthel Group
Acquisition of D.E.S enabled Barthel Group to expand its core competencies to the production of high-quality premium labels for wine, sparkling wine, spirits, and cosmetics. A new site in the Palatinate was added as well.
2014
2017
Successful integration of Bavarian label manufacturer Evert Etiketten GmbH into Barthel Group
Acquisition of Evert Etiketten not only strengthened Barthel Group’s competencies in particular in the pharmaceutical industry but also added a site in Prutting, Bavaria.
2017
2019
KienLabel doubles its production area with new buildings
KienLabel, the professional for multi-layered labels from Barthel Group, lays the foundation for further growth: The production area at the Dutch site in Belfeld is almost doubled by a new building in order to continue to meet the significantly increased demand for foldouts, booklets, and other multifunctional media. Completion of the new offset production hall in Essen
2019
2020
Barthel continues to focus on growth and acquires eprint in Bünde
Barthel Group continues its expansion by acquiring eprint GmbH in January. The company from Bünde in eastern Westphalia is a professional for high-quality labels with effects, scent, or embossing. It adds to Barthel’s expertise in the fields of personal and home care.
2020
2021
Barthel expands production capacity in the heart of the Ruhr region with the acquisition of ATB
Since its founding in 2000, Herner Systemetikettendruckrei has steadily expanded its production focus in the food & beverage, personal & home care, and logistics markets. Its team of more than 130 now forms the second-largest location of the group in the immediate vicinity of the headquarters.
2021

Founding of Barthel GmbH by Joachim Barthel and Detlef Klusman

The company started out in the backyard of a former carpentry shop in Essen-Steele with three employees. Price and weighing labels (thermal labels) for the fruit trade were produced on one production machine at first.

Move to company’s own premises in Daniel-Eckhardt-Straße 10

The company expanded its manufacture to decorative labels for industry use. The constant expansion of the offer and the purchase of 3 new machines necessitated this move in 1990.

Expansion of the premises through an extension

Installation of the first offset printing press

Establishment of Barthel in the Dutch market by Managing Director Jules Simon

Founding of Barthel Digitalprint GmbH

The future is digital! This is why Barthel Digitalprint GmbH was one of the first companies that decided to invest in this area in 2005. Many cutting-edge digital printing and finishing machines now produce short and medium runs here around the clock.

Acquisition of Dutch company KienLabel BV and foundation of Barthel Nederlands BV

The acquisition of KienLabel lays the foundation for establishment of Barthel Group. Through KienLabel, it is now able to offer its customers expertise in printing multifunctional multi-layered labels.

Successful integration of blank label manufacturer EtiPro GmbH into the group

The acquisition of EtiPro GmbH enabled Barthel Group to expand its core competencies to comprise the production of blank labels along with sale of printing systems and thermal transfer films.

Expansion of the premises in Essen through a further attachment

Successful integration of D.E.S. - Die Etiketten Spezialisten GmbH into Barthel Group

Acquisition of D.E.S enabled Barthel Group to expand its core competencies to the production of high-quality premium labels for wine, sparkling wine, spirits, and cosmetics. A new site in the Palatinate was added as well.

Successful integration of Bavarian label manufacturer Evert Etiketten GmbH into Barthel Group

Acquisition of Evert Etiketten not only strengthened Barthel Group’s competencies in particular in the pharmaceutical industry but also added a site in Prutting, Bavaria.

KienLabel doubles its production area with new buildings

KienLabel, the professional for multi-layered labels from Barthel Group, lays the foundation for further growth: The production area at the Dutch site in Belfeld is almost doubled by a new building in order to continue to meet the significantly increased demand for foldouts, booklets, and other multifunctional media. Completion of the new offset production hall in Essen

Barthel continues to focus on growth and acquires eprint in Bünde

Barthel Group continues its expansion by acquiring eprint GmbH in January. The company from Bünde in eastern Westphalia is a professional for high-quality labels with effects, scent, or embossing. It adds to Barthel’s expertise in the fields of personal and home care.

Barthel expands production capacity in the heart of the Ruhr region with the acquisition of ATB

Since its founding in 2000, Herner Systemetikettendruckrei has steadily expanded its production focus in the food & beverage, personal & home care, and logistics markets. Its team of more than 130 now forms the second-largest location of the group in the immediate vicinity of the headquarters.
1984
1990
1993
1996
1997
2005
2007
2009
2013
2014
2017
2019
2020
2021

Facts and figures

Companies:

Sites:

Essen, NRW | Belfeld, NL | Landau i.d. Pfalz | Prutting, Bavaria | Bünde, NRW | Herne, NRW

Machines:

approx. 90 machines, cutting-edge machinery

Production output:

approx. 500,000 sqm/day

Personnel:

approx. 500 employees