The Cologne-based company Igus is a successful hidden champion from North Rhine-Westphalia. The manufacturer of "motion plastics" is the global market leader in the fields of energy chains and plastic plain bearings, generating annual sales in the billions with its high-performance polymers, i.e. plastics with special properties such as very high temperature resistance.
Founded in 1964 in a garage in Cologne-Mülheim, Igus has grown into a global company that today employs some 4,600 people in its 15 production facilities and other locations. From its current headquarters in Cologne-Porz, the company manages its international business in 31 countries. And Igus continues to grow: In the past three years, the company has invested more than 430 million euros. 210 million euros went into the expansion of the Cologne headquarters alone, which had already been expanded in 2009 and 2012. Most recently, Igus built a 22,000-square-meter factory there. Igus also recently acquired a majority stake in Portuguese sensor specialist Atronia to jointly develop products for Industry 4.0.
The company is focused on innovation and produces future-proof and sustainable applications, including those that do not require oil-based lubricants. It serves both the B2B and B2C sectors: For example, Igus is developing shore power supply systems for container ships and is launching a new type of bicycle for end customers that is made of over 90 percent plastic.
