History
67 years in motion
The name Blum stands for innovation, dedicated employees and international market presence. Julius Blum founded the company on 1 March 1952. His first product was a horseshoe stud. Today we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of furniture fittings.
Founding of Blum subsidiaries and representative offices at a glance:
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1977 Blum Sweden, Blum USA
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1978 Blum Canada
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1981 Blum Germany
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1987 Blum UK
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1989 Blum Norway
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1991 Blum France
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1992 Blum Poland
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1993 Blum Czech Republic
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1994 Blum Hungary
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1995 Blum Romania
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1996 Blum Turkey
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1997 Blum Australia, Blum Russia
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1998 Blum Brazil
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2001 Blum South East Asia
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2002 Blum China
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2005 Blum Ukraine
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2007 Blum Mexico
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2008 Blum Kazakhstan, Blum Vietnam
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2009 Blum India, Blum Hong Kong
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2010 Blum New Zealand
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2011 Blum North Africa, Blum Portugal
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2012 Blum Greece
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2016 Blum Azerbaijan
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2017 Blum Slovakia
1952
The company is founded by Julius Blum
Julius Blum, a farrier and carriage smith by trade, founds his company on 1 March 1952. His first product is a horseshoe stud which prevents horses from slipping.
1958
The first furniture hinge
The first furniture hinge is the ANUBA hinge for doors, windows and furniture.
1964
The first Blum hinge
The production of concealed hinges is started.
1965
First export business
First products are exported to European countries.
1966
The first roller runners
Roller runners are added to the production programme.
1967
First representative offices abroad
First representative offices are set up. Blum takes part in interzum, the trendsetting fair in Cologne, for the first time.
1970
Launch of apprenticeship programme
Blum starts its own vocational training programme in Austria.
1972
New plant in Hoechst
Plant 2 is built and put into operation in Hoechst. Tools and manufacturing systems need to meet the same rigorous testing requirements at all our plants. Quality assurance measures are developed on an ongoing basis to guarantee the high quality standard.
1977
First issue of Blum News
Blum celebrates its 25th anniversary. The first issue of the employee magazine ‘Blum News’ is published.
Blum presents the MODUL hinge and TANDEM drawer runner.
Subsidiaries are established in the USA and Sweden.
1978
The first high bay warehouse
Vorarlberg's first high bay warehouse is put into operation at Plant 2.
Blum Canada is established.
1979
Plant 4
Plant 4 is opened in Bregenz.
1981
Blum Germany
Our subsidiary Blum Germany is established.
1984
Production in the USA
Blum USA assembles hinges and drawer runners.
1985
CLIP hinge
Blum presents CLIP - the hinge for tool-free mounting.
1987
METABOX
The METABOX drawer system goes into production.
Blum UK is established.
1989
Global customer benefits
Blum introduces its philosophy of ‘Global customer benefits’.
Blum Norway is established.
1991
ISO certification
Blum is the first manufacturer of furniture fittings to be certified to the ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard.
Blum France is established.
1992
Blum Poland is established.
An additional production facility is set up in Poland.
1993
New TANDEMBOX box system
Blum presents new steel, aluminium and stainless steel TANDEMBOX box systems and introduces INSERTA assembly method for hinges.
Blum Czech Republic is established.
1996
Easy planning
The first version of DYNAPLAN is launched on the market. The software makes it easy to plan cabinets and choose the right furniture fittings.
Blum Turkey is established.
1997
Environmental certification
Blum is certified to the international ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard.
The company presents TANDEMBOX plus full extension.
Blum Australia and Blum Russia are established.
1998
Blum Brazil
A production facility is set up in Brazil.
1999
The CLIP top hinge
Blum presents its beautifully designed CLIP top hinge for fast and easy adjustment and launches the ORGA-LINE inner dividing system for TANDEMBOX.
2000
Storage space planning
Blum focuses on storage space planning and usage in kitchens.
2001
BLUMOTION
Drawers, lift systems and doors close softly and effortlessly with BLUMOTION.
Blum South East Asia is established.
2002
50th anniversary
Blum celebrates its 50th anniversary.
A representative office is opened in China.
2003
DYNAMIC SPACE by Blum
Blum presents new ways to make the best possible use of the space available and provide top quality motion.
The Stamping Centre (Plant 5) is put into operation in Fussach.
2005
New AVENTOS lift systems
AVENTOS lift systems and the TIP-ON mechanical opening support system for TANDEM runners are presented for the first time at interzum in Cologne.
Plangger Coatings is integrated into the Blum organisation. It is Plant 6.
Blum Ukraine is established.
2006
SERVO-DRIVE
Blum presents the SERVO-DRIVE electrical opening support system for drawers and pull-outs.
Blum's Logistics and Packaging Centre is put into operation in Poland.
2007
TANDEMBOX intivo
TANDEMBOX intivo, the box system that allows you to personalise side panels and
TIP-ON for doors are added to the product range.
Blum Mexico is established.
2008
Record number of trainees in Vorarlberg
73 apprentices start their training with Blum.
Blum Kazakhstan and Blum Vietnam are established.
2009
CLIP top BLUMOTION
The hinge with integrated soft close, TANDEMBOX antaro with a rectangular gallery rail and
the TIP-ON mechanical opening support system for the AVENTOS HK lift system are presented for the first time at trade shows.
Plant 7, which has its own rail sidings, begins operations in Dornbirn.
Blum India and Blum Hong Kong are established.
2010
SERVO-DRIVE for lift systems
The SERVO-DRIVE electrical motion support system adds a new dimension to lift systems.
Blum New Zealand is established.
2011
Box system with straight drawer sides
The LEGRABOX box system, MOVENTO runner system and SERVO-DRIVE uno are presented for the first time.
Blum North Africa and Blum Portugal are established.
2012
Blum Greece
Blum Greece is established.
2013
European Inventor Award 2013
BLUMOTION for soft and effortless closing wins the European Inventor Award 2013.
Blum presents the LEGRABOX free design option and the AMBIA-LINE inner dividing system.
AVENTOS HK-XS is added to Blum’s range of lift systems.
2014
TIP-ON BLUMOTION
TIP-ON BLUMOTION for LEGRABOX: This product is a combination of mechanical opening and soft and effortless closing.
Blum also presents SERVO-DRIVE flex - an electrical opening support system for built-in fridge/freezers and dishwashers.
2015
4 motion technologies
Whether mechanical or electrical, our four motion technologies can be combined as required. They make handle-less furniture easy to use, providing various levels of convenience to suit every living area.
The new EASY ASSEMBLY app provides digital support to fitters and installers.
CABLOXX is a single locking system for all Blum box and runner systems.
2016
Solutions to meet the latest trends
Blum presents itself as an innovative systems partner that delivers solutions for handle-less furniture.
New colour option for hinges: onyx black is launched on pilot markets.
Blum Azerbaijan is established.
2017
The new AVENTOS HK top lift system is presented for the first time
Austria's Chamber of Commerce presents Blum with Global Player Award 2017.
2018
New management team
New management team as of 1 July 2018 (from the right): the three Managing Directors Martin Blum, Philipp Blum and Gerhard E. Blum with Gerhard Humpeler and Urs Bolter
