Tradition meets
technology
Milestones in a success story
From origins to global success
What began in the 1960s as a sawmill technology division within Siegfried Gölz quickly developed into an independent company. Increasing demand for efficient plant systems in the wood industry led to the founding of Holtec GmbH & Co. in 1970. Close collaboration with STIHL shaped the early years, during which Holtec developed and continuously improved the first package crosscut saws.
The company expanded rapidly: by the 1980s, office and production facilities were enlarged several times and the sales organisation Holtec USA was established. By the end of the decade, Holtec already employed 100 people. In the 1990s, the opening of a branch in Saxony marked another major milestone. At the same time, Holtec successfully entered the wood-based materials industry with a landmark project.
In 2003 Peter Klement acquired all the company shares and ran the company as its sole owner. Two years later he retired from operational business and handed over management to the next generation. Under their leadership, production capacities were further expanded and modernized and the company structure was continuously developed.
Today, Holtec is a globally active, medium-sized family business with state-of-the-art production sites and a leading position in the wood industry. The combination of tradition, innovation and a strong team makes Holtec a reliable partner for customized plant technology.
2025
The story continues …
2024
On May 29, 2024, Peter Klement, founder and long-time managing director of Holtec, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. His life's work was dedicated to the company and the well-being of its employees, to whom he devoted his energy and vision. Humanity, appreciation and mutual respect defined him as an exceptional individual. With his passing, we have lost a companion, a visionary and a man with a big heart. It is our motivation and obligation to continue his life's work with all our strength. His greatest wish was that we continue to live by the values he stood for.
2023
Innovative and sustainable concepts for a future-oriented log handling - this was Holtec's motto at LIGNA 2023. With an impressive exhibit reaching up to 13 m beneath the hall roof, the trade fair became one of the most successful events in the company's history.
2022
Holtec is developing its own app and will soon bundle all services under one tool: HOLTEC mobile Services. With this innovative serve platform, Holtec was honoured as a winner of the German Innovation Award 2022.
2020
2020 marked a special occasion for Holtec: the company's 50th anniversary. The planned big summer party was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2013
With the development of its own debarker, the Variobarker, Holtec has significantly expanded its product portfolio in the wood-based materials industry.
The first plant for Homanit in Polen, took up nearly the entire production hall during preinstallation.
2007
The introduction of Holtec's patented Chainless technology marked a major milestone. The first installation at Egger in Brilon remains significant to this day.
2005
Generational - Peter Klement retires form operational business and hand over management to his daughter Ute Klement and Alexander Gebele.
2000
Holtec celebrates 30 years of company history alongside the 10th anniversary of the eastern branch in Jänkendorf. The trip including a guided tour through the city of Dresden remain unforgettable.
1999
At the end of the 1990s, Holtec successfully diversified its product portfolio into the wood-based materials industry. With the innovative idea of the stair feeder Holtec prevailed over established solutions and implemented its first reference system as Kronospan in Luxembourg.
1991
In Jänkendorf, Saxony in Eastern Germany, Holtec acquired a site with a small hall to establish an additional production location, this marked the beginning of NLO (Niederlassung Ost = Eastern branch).
1987
The office and production facilities were bursting at the seams. A second production hall was built in Blumenthal and the office building was expanded.
1985
In France, the foreign representative office BZH Baljer & Zembrod, Holtec is established. In other European countries Holtec collaborates with independent foreign representative offices.
1983
Holtec takes the leap across the Atlantic, finds a reliable distribution partner in Florida and establishes the sales organisation Holtec USA.
1979
Driven by entrepreneurial spirit, Holtec simultaneously advanced plant planning in the sawmill industry and developed systems for handling logs.
1977
Production and order volumes increase and the existing production space becomes insufficient. For the first time, the production hall is expanded.
1975
After several stages of development, a stationary package crosscut saw was presented for the first time at the world-leading trade faire LIGNA in Hanover in 1975, quickly attracting attention in export markets.
1973
In cooperation with STIHL the first package crosscut saws were developed. Holtec took over production under a licencing agreement and continued to develop the saws independently.
1972
With the vision of establishing its own production, Holtec began in 1972 by constructing an office building and a production hall on a greenfield side.
1970
HOLTEC GmbH & Co. KG was founded on 1 January 1970.
From left to right: Ernst Massierer, Uwe Becker, Siegfried Gölz, Jürgen Gölz, Peter Klement and Hans Sänger.
