History
Innovation and tradition in surface technology
From sole proprietorship to leading international player in the field of surface treatments
More than 70 years ago, Valentino De Martin laid the foundations for our current company, which started out as a sole proprietorship. From these humble beginnings, the De Martin Group has developed into a leading company with headquarters in Wängi, Switzerland, and three other locations in Germany. Our enthusiasm for surface technology has been with us all the way. This passion is the foundation of our leading position in the European market. Our long history obliges us to act responsibly and innovatively every day, not only towards our employees, but also towards our partners. We look back with pride on successfully overcoming generational changes and industry crises, proof of our consistency. It is our incentive that our passion for surface technology will continue to inspire many more generations and lead to new developments.
Timeline
Our history
2023
Expansion Novoplan
The De Martin Group establishes the site in Essingen DE and relocates Novoplan's administration to this site.
2022
De Martin Group takes over Novoplan GmbH
As a niche player in the field of functional surfaces, De Martin can position itself better with NovoPlan, particularly in the semiconductor sector. At the same time, existing market segments are to be further expanded. Since it was founded around 35 years ago, NovoPlan GmbH from Aalen, Baden-Württemberg, has established itself as a production service provider for high-tech coatings, primarily supplying the mould and tool making and semiconductor industries.
2018
Thurgau Apple" prize
Martin AG is honoured with the Thurgauer Apfel, the prestigious motivation award of the Thurgau business community for outstanding entrepreneurial achievements. This award recognises entrepreneurial excellence that not only shines locally, but also beyond the canton's borders. The award winner can also look forward to a unique trophy: a sculpture designed by Roland Friedl depicting a bitten apple. This coveted motivational prize is awarded by a co-operation between the Thurgau Trade Association, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Thurgau Cantonal Bank in collaboration with the Thurgau government. The winner is selected by an independent jury.
2015
Investments in Wängi
De Martin AG in Wängi has invested a total of CHF 3 million in the construction of a new production line and two materials laboratories for quality assurance and development work. The De Martin Materials Laboratory (DML) is the basis for effective and targeted customer-orientated application and coating development. Martin AG is taking a significant step into the future at its Plant 1 in Wängi. The company is establishing an innovative, new production line 7, which involves a pioneering combination of chemical and physical coatings produced under vacuum. This advanced technology not only enables coating processes to be optimised, but also opens up new perspectives for the development of high-quality products.
2015
Expansion into Germany
De Martin AG is taking a significant step in its expansion strategy in Germany. With the successful takeover of the electroplating plant in Neustadt an der Aisch from the renowned AHC Group, the company is consolidating its presence on the German market. With the newly founded German subsidiary, the De Martin Group intends to strengthen its expertise in the field of electroplating and at the same time further expand its customer base in Germany.
2010
Inauguration of plant 2+ in Wängi
The inauguration of the modern Plant 2+ in Wängi is a significant step for De Martin AG. Plant 2+ is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and highly developed production facilities to meet the increasing demands for efficiency and quality. This expansion not only strengthens productivity, but also the company's competitiveness on the international market. Despite the dramatic slump in sales during the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, De Martin AG remained true to its strategy. Investments were made anti-cyclically and Plant 2+ was built precisely during these difficult years. This investment of more than CHF 10 million in modern infrastructure and new coating technologies has paid off.
2004
Thomas de Martin becomes the new CEO
The generational change at De Martin AG marked a significant step in the company's management. Thomas De Martin takes over the position of CEO from Riccardo De Martin and is thus responsible for the strategic direction and operational success of the company.
2000
Inauguration of plant 2 in Wängi
The inauguration of the new Plant 2 at Frauenfelderstrasse 45 in Wängi marked an outstanding moment in the history of De Martin AG. This modern production plant represents not only a significant expansion of production capacity, but also a clear expression of the company's ongoing commitment to technological progress and industrial excellence. Equipped with state-of-the-art production facilities, Plant 2 of De Martin AG not only enables an increase in production capacity, but also an optimisation of work processes.
1997
Certification according to ISO 14001
The acquired ISO 14001 certification emphasises De Martin AG's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable management. The internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems promotes the identification, monitoring and minimisation of environmental impacts. The implementation of this standard demonstrates De Martin's endeavours not only to fulfil legal requirements, but also to take proactive measures to reduce environmental impact. The certificate demonstrates a commitment to resource efficiency, environmental impact monitoring and continuous improvement.
1995
Certification according to ISO 9001
De Martin AG is certified according to ISO 9001. This internationally recognised quality management standard is not only a seal of approval for the outstanding quality of the company's products and services, but also proof of the continuous striving for the highest standards in all areas of the company. The implementation and achievement of ISO 9001 certification emphasises De Martin AG's clear commitment to quality, customer orientation and continuous improvement.
1968 to 1995
Six extensions
After moving to Froheggstrasse in Wängi in the period up to 1995, De Martin AG realised six significant extensions at this location and recorded continuous growth.
1968
Relocation to Froheggstrasse in Wängi
The change of name to De Martin AG Metallveredelung, accompanied by the relocation of the headquarters to Froheggstrasse 34 in Wängi and the move to the current Plant 1, marked a significant turning point in the company's history. These strategic decisions were not only an expression of a clear entrepreneurial course, but also a clear commitment to growth, innovation and continuous development.
1947
Foundation of the company
Valentino De Martin, an Italian immigrant from the Veneto region of Italy, founded the sole proprietorship "Valentino De Martin" in Münchwilen together with his wife Elisabeth in 1947, which later became today's De Martin AG. Valentino De Martin managed the company until the second generation took over and remained closely associated with the company throughout his life.
2024
Commissioning of Essingen plant
After a one-year construction phase, NovoPlan GmbH's new production site in Essingen is put into operation. The new production hall covers a total area of 1,000 square metres. With this 4th location, the De Martin Group continues to invest in a successful future.
2023
Major fire at NovoPlan company
On New Year's Eve 2022, a fire broke out on the premises of NovoPlan GmbH. The fire was quickly extinguished by the fire brigade, but the production and coating systems were largely destroyed. In 2023, production was rebuilt at full speed and successfully put back into operation at the end of the year.
2022
De Martin Group leads NovoPlan into the future
The De Martin Group is taking over NovoPlan GmbH in Aalen as of 2022 as part of a succession plan. With this acquisition, the De Martin Group is further expanding its market position as a production service provider for high-tech coatings and establishing itself more strongly, particularly in mould and tool making and the semiconductor industry. Customer proximity and the development of new economic areas are also important objectives of this acquisition.
2024
Nickel - dispersion layer with diamond
In order to remain competitive in the future and fulfil customer requirements, another innovative process will be introduced in Neustadt in the middle of the year. From the middle of the year, we will be able to offer a nickel dispersion coating with diamond. This will make it possible to apply a friction-enhancing coating to components. A lot has also happened in terms of personnel, from originally 5 employees, we currently have 15 employees at the Neustadt site - and the trend is rising.
2023
Construction and commissioning of our own photovoltaic system and a wastewater treatment plant
A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof of the production hall. The plant in Neustadt now produces its own electricity on an area of almost 650m2 and a maximum output of 135 kWp. In addition to the PV system, the company also invested in a waste water treatment plant to treat the waste water produced so that it can be returned to the waste water cycle. The construction of these two plants emphasises De Martin GmbH's commitment to sustainable environmental protection.
2019
Commissioning of a third production line
The third production line for anodic oxidation is a fully automated anodising line that can be used exclusively for anodising or hard anodising aluminium components. With the associated pre-treatment such as glass bead blasting and the post-treatment options of black colouring or duplex sealing, this system is very versatile. Target groups now include mechanical engineering, motorsport and the textile industry. With this further investment in the future, the De Martin Group confirms its strengths and expertise in the coating industry in Germany. In order to be able to prove and document the necessary quality requirements accordingly, we have also been certified in accordance with the DIN ISO 9001:2015 quality standard. Through annual requalification measures, our quality standards are also proven in this respect.
2017
Investment in Neustadt
A short time later, in spring 2017, the company invested in a second production line and set up an automatic rack system for chemical and galvanic coating processes. These two systems enabled the company to increasingly serve the mechanical engineering and electrical industries.
2015
Expansion into Germany
The De Martin Group expands its presence with its first plant in Germany. The plant of a market competitor in Neustadt / Aisch is integrated into the De Martin Group, starting with a manual plant for electroless nickel.
