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Our Company History

The Story of The Keg

For more than 40 years, BLEFA has been producing stainless steel kegs for beer, wine and soft drinks to the specific requirements of our customers. “The Keg – made in Germany” has a history that began much earlier. The beginning of sheet metal production in the roller plant at Eichen over 120 years ago is what we see as the first milestone in our company history. Why is the BLEFA keg company both traditional and innovative at the same time?

Learn about our history here!

1896

Beginning of the sheet metal goods production in the roller plant Stähler GmbH & Co. KG (Eichen)

1912

Beginning of the container production in Attendorn after the takeover of the roller plant Althaus Pletsch & Co

1917

Incorporation of the roller plant Eichen into the Charlottenhütte, Niederschelden

1925

Incorporation into the Vereinigte Stahlwerke AG, Düsseldorf

1936

Spin-off: Blechwaren- und Faßfabrik Eichen Attendorn GmbH located in Kreuztal

1954

For the first time: Blefa Blechwaren- und Faßfabrik GmbH Kreuztal; at the same time: start of the production of washing machines "Constructa"

1963

Production of the first living space roof-light (an enhancement of the traditional roof-light)

1968

Start of the first keg production (new development from Great Britain)

1970

Incorporation into the Hoesch AG

1974

Start of the production of deep drawing kegs

1989/90

Selling of the living space roof-light business and the traditional roof-light business

1991–1994

Incorporation into the Krupp-Hoesch-Group

1995

100% takeover by the Franke Deutschland Holding GmbH and change of name into Blefa GmbH & Co.

1997–2002

Consolidation of the Franke Keg Production into one location in Kreuztal

2002

Selling of the IBC business (Intermedia Bulk Containers). Concentration on the production of containers for the beverage industry

2005/06

Start-up of Keg Service for the European market located in UK and Germany

2008

Foundation of Beverage Systems as an independent division within the Franke Group.

2009

Start-up of two Keg Service locations for the US market - in LaVergne & Sparks

2010

Konzentration der Keg-Servicedienstleistungen in den USA auf den Standort La Vergne

2012

Change of company name into Franke Blefa GmbH

2015

Foundation of a second US location in Vancouver (WA)

2016

Incorporated into Artemis-Holding as “BLEFA BEVERAGE SYSTEMS” after leaving the Franke Group