Since its foundation by Gildo Rasch on April 1, 1973, the family business RASCH-METALLE has developed into one of the leading stockholding metal dealers in Germany. The cornerstone for this development is a knowledge of the market that has grown over the years and the awareness that trust plays a major role. As a specialist in non-ferrous metals, we can now refer to a customer base of over 6,000 customers - both nationally and internationally. In doing so, we ensure that we never lose sight of the individuality of each customer.
We stock more than 8,000 tons in our own warehouse area of 10,000 m². Long-standing partnerships with our suppliers and forwarders as well as our own fleet of vehicles form the basis for reliability and punctuality. We can therefore also procure and deliver dimensions and alloys that are not in stock within a very short time.
For us, implementing culture means:
A sense of community and identification with the company. By striving to retain employees in our company for the long term, we have managed to create synergies from qualifications and many years of experience. The resulting know-how enables us to react quickly to incoming customer requests.
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1973
The foundation of RASCH-METALLE GmbH & Co. KG was founded on April 1, 1973 by the businessman Gildo Rasch. Initially with just two employees, Dieter Seiger (authorized signatory) and Ulrich Blome (warehouse manager), the company settles in Bielefeld-Großdornberg "Am Wildhagen". Turnover quintuples within just five years.
1978
With nine employees, the company needed to expand its premises, so on January 2, 1978, it moved to its current headquarters at "Auf dem Esch 17". The new offices and warehouse have a total area of 1,500 m². The product range includes rods, tubes, profiles, sheets and plates made of brass, copper, gunmetal and aluminum. RASCH-METALLE establishes itself as a non-ferrous metal specialty trader with a focus on "heavy metals". At this time, the customer base is still predominantly regional (NRW area).
1980-1984
We produce your individual cuts (single cuts, small/medium and large series) in our in-house cutting centers within the shortest response times. We can also provide you with specific help in the area of ROHS-compliant rods. Take a look at our highlights and ask us - we will be happy to supply you!
1986
Gildo Rasch decides to offer additional services: the first large panel saw (up to 200 mm) is purchased. In addition, the second large warehouse is added and the vehicle fleet is expanded.
1989
Just three years later, turnover has multiplied and warehousing has increased accordingly: a third hall is added, including a large yard equipped with gray cast iron racks. Two more trucks and a second large panel saw (up to 150 mm) are purchased. The stock now stands at 1,500 tons. The demand situation reveals a change: Gildo Rasch places a stronger focus on aluminum (standard sheets/plates and bars in various alloys).
1991
The courtyard is roofed over and used as a loading area.
1994
The fourth warehouse is added using the nesting method and the service department is increased to three band saws. The company's own fleet of vehicles is expanded by 1996. A fleet of seven trucks serves the whole of Germany.
1996
Cordula Rasch, the youngest daughter of the company founder, joins the family business on August 1: she starts an apprenticeship as a wholesale and foreign trade clerk and studies business administration at the same time. Start of the introduction of a QM system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9002.
1997
As one of the first trading companies in East Westphalia-Lippe, the first certification according to DIN EN ISO 9002:1994 is granted by Dekra Certification Services GmbH on June 24, 1997.
1998-1999
By 1998, RASCH-METALLE has a stable stock of 1,500 tons of heavy and light metals in a ratio of 40% to 60%. 1998/99 is the year of change, which is to have a decisive influence on the company's image, the German market and the distribution of market shares. Gildo Rasch decides to launch a major purchase of aluminum alloys. The stock quadruples within two years.
2000
Trend reversal from heavy to light metals. The proportion of aluminum alloys in stock is now 60%. The new "Dealer Service" division is founded. However, the Germany-wide focus on the end consumer business (processing industry) is maintained and strengthened. Due to the economic upswing from 1999 to mid-2000, the stock level reaches 6,500 tons. In mid-2000, the premises are extended by one floor. In addition, the conversion to the new DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 standard takes place, according to which our company is to be certified in 2003.
2001
The rapid increase in stock makes it necessary to expand capacity: in the middle of the year, the new "Höfeweg" warehouse is put into operation: on a storage area of 3,000 m², only aluminum is stored and picked. Conversion to the ISO 9001:2000 standard on the basis of the CIP (Continuous Improvement Process). In May 2001, internationalization begins with the entry of the older daughter, Claudia Rasch: within the next three years, the export share increases to 10%.
2002
The third panel saw (up to 160 mm) is purchased in the "Sheet metal/panels" cutting center. With sales growth of 65% in 2002, Gildo Rasch decides to outsource part of the vehicle fleet to its own subcontractors and regular hauliers. In this partnership-based constellation, RASCH-METALLE supplies its customers throughout Germany quickly and reliably. The decision to step back more and more and hand over the company, which he founded himself in 1973, to the younger generation in the long term is not an easy one for the company founder, Gildo Rasch. A research project provides scientific support for the company succession. Managing the network of relationships is one of the main tasks when handing over a business. A modern extraction system is installed in the company. The workforce grows in proportion to turnover.
2003
The third panel saw (up to 160 mm) is purchased in the "Sheet metal/panels" cutting center.
2004
Expansion of the product range to include aluminum cast plates milled flat on both sides ("Rasch-Plan"). The export business is stepped up and the share of total sales grows noticeably.
2006
In the spring of 2006, Plant II is founded at the Höfeweg site with the business units "Sheets/Panels" and "Blanks". The bar warehouse established there in 2001 is expanded to include large halls with a high-performance cutting center and a modern office building. At the "Auf dem Esch" headquarters, extensive conversion and expansion measures are carried out in the administration and warehouse due to the necessary expansion of capacity. Among other things, the new collection office is put into operation. From this point onwards, the restructured business areas "Bars/tubes/profiles", "Sections", "Special profiles", "Processing" and "Dealer service" are located at "Auf dem Esch". The company's own storage areas at both sites reach over 10,000 m² and a storage capacity of approx. 8,000 tons of material.
2008
Commissioning of new high-performance saws for the production of small, medium and large series from bars, tubes and profiles.
2010
Certification in accordance with the ISO 9001:2008 standard takes place in spring.
2011
The establishment of our "South" branch (sales office + warehouse) enables even more flexible support and delivery to our customers in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
2012
As a further step in our expansion and internationalization, we establish our sales office in Austria (near Salzburg). Today, our company is one of the leading stockholding metal distributors in Europe. This development is based on years of market knowledge and the awareness that trust plays a decisive role. As a specialist for non-ferrous metals, we can refer to a customer base of over 6,000 customers - both nationally and internationally. Since our company was founded, we have always ensured one thing: the individuality of each customer should be our priority, as this is the only way to ensure a trusting, cooperative partnership!
