Schulz History
Like other large organizations that started in a simple and family-owned manner, Schulz
began its story over 55 years ago with just 26 employees and limited resources in
Joinville, Santa Catarina – Brazil. Currently, it is Latin America’s largest air
compressor manufacturer, one of Brazil’s largest integrated machining foundries and
a world reference in gray and nodular iron castings, machining, painting and automotive
parts assembly.
The beginning
On June 12, 1963, Heinz Schulz invited a group of friends and entrepreneurs to establish Metalúrgica Schulz. Among the partners were Ronald Braatz, Herbert Theilacker, Norberto Ritzmann, Guilherme Urban, his son Gert Schulz and Ovandi Rosenstock, current CEO of Schulz, who has participated from the beginning of this success story.
These market visionaries would lead the small, Schulz foundry to develop a line of hand tools for fastening, clamping and cutting. The bench vise was their first product for mechanical use.
The beginning
On June 12, 1963, Heinz Schulz invited a group of friends and entrepreneurs to establish Metalúrgica Schulz. Among the partners were Ronald Braatz, Herbert Theilacker, Norberto Ritzmann, Guilherme Urban, his son Gert Schulz and Ovandi Rosenstock, current CEO of Schulz, who has participated from the beginning of this success story.
These market visionaries would lead the small, Schulz foundry to develop a line of hand tools for fastening, clamping and cutting. The bench vise was their first product for mechanical use.
Growth
Attentive to opening its market, in 1972 Schulz went in search of new product lines with growth potential and decided to concentrate its efforts on developing reciprocating piston compressors. It started with two small-sized models, ½ and 1 hp, and it didn’t take long to start looking for models with greater capacity. Still in the 70s, the business invested in a new industrial park, which structured its entry into the heavy-duty automotive segment. In 1982, the company achieved absolute leadership in the Brazilian piston air compressor market.
The success and quality of its products helped win over the international market in the following year. With this, in 1985, Schulz took the lead in Latin America with a presence also in Central America and the USA. Driven by the constant search for innovation, it became the first Brazilian company to develop rotary screw compressors with its own engineering. In 1993, Schulz started to provide machining services and secured major projects for the automotive industry.
New markets
In the 90s, the company registered intense growth. One of the major advances was to acquire controlling interest of its largest competitor in reciprocating piston compressors, Tecnomecânica S.A., which belonged to the Dresser Group and owned the Wayne brand.
In 1994 Schulz went public and had another spurt of growth with the milestone of 1 million compressors produced and sold. In 1999, it consolidated its participation in the North American market, with the creation of Schulz of America Inc., another important achievement towards operating globally.
Somar brand acquisition
At the end of 2009, the Somar brand was incorporated into Schulz, which expanded its presence in the motor-pump, machine and tool markets.
50 years of history
Schulz took advantage of its automotive segment knowledge, investing in the aftermarket segment for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery and construction equipment in 2011. The components follow the strictest international quality standards and are available to fleet owners, self-employed drivers and farmers that need maintenance on their vehicles. In 2013, the celebration of Schulz’s 50-year history was marked by construction of a new 8,300 m² distribution center in Plant 2, reaching sales of R$1.064 billion.
Operations start in Asia
In 2017, in yet another growth and expansion cycle, the company inaugurated its operations in Asia with a Compressor plant in Shanghai, China.
In July of the same year, Schulz Compressores, a subsidiary of Schulz S.A., was created, an important change to make its businesses’ specific activities even more transparent. Growth in the automotive segment made expansion of Automotive Machining possible in 2018, in a new and modern manufacturing unit in Joinville.
Today, Schulz is recognized as one of Latin America’s leading companies, offering the market a complete line in compressed air generation, treatment and storage as well as supplying casted parts to the global vehicle market. Currently, Schulz products are present in more than 70 countries, reinforcing the brand’s tradition and high technological standard.
Schulz’s market growth is the result of investment in upgrades and innovation supported by constant certifications. Building a customer-orientated service and development platform, broadly focused on resolving challenges uniting multiple internal teams, created a differentiated market methodology, recognized for creativity and agility.
Operations start in Asia
In 2017, in yet another growth and expansion cycle, the company inaugurated its operations in Asia with a Compressor plant in Shanghai, China.
In July of the same year, Schulz Compressores, a subsidiary of Schulz S.A., was created, an important change to make its businesses’ specific activities even more transparent. Growth in the automotive segment made expansion of Automotive Machining possible in 2018, in a new and modern manufacturing unit in Joinville.
/mk_page_section]Today, Schulz is recognized as one of Latin America’s leading companies, offering the market a complete line in compressed air generation, treatment and storage as well as supplying casted parts to the global vehicle market. Currently, Schulz products are present in more than 70 countries, reinforcing the brand’s tradition and high technological standard.
Schulz’s market growth is the result of investment in upgrades and innovation supported by constant certifications. Building a customer-orientated service and development platform, broadly focused on resolving challenges uniting multiple internal teams, created a differentiated market methodology, recognized for creativity and agility.
