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From paint workshop to global player: Find out more about the numerous milestones in ORAFOL’s history.

The history of ORAFOL Europe GmbH dates back to 1808. 

Through change and transformation as well as forward-looking growth and expansion strategies, ORAFOL Europe GmbH has developed into a globally successful business group over the past decades.

An era in ORAFOL’s company history: The brown graphic shows a circular dial on which the section from 0 to 2 o’clock is highlighted in white. It bears the inscription “The 1800s: The beginnings”.

1800s: The beginnings

1808: The Wibelitz family founds the company in Berlin under the name Wibelitz-Farbenwerkstatt and becomes the exclusive manufacturer of postmark inks for the Kingdom of Prussia. A century later, the company starts producing paints and varnishes.

An era in ORAFOL’s company history: The blue graphic shows a circular dial on which the section from 2 to 4 o'clock is highlighted in white. It bears the inscription “1900-1989: Move to Oranienburg".

1900 - 1989: Move to Oranienburg

1919: The Berlin location is closed. The company moves to Oranienburg in Brandenburg.

1957: The company is partly nationalised and changes its name to Hannalin KG.

1960: The first self-adhesive reflective films for traffic signs are produced under the MIKROLUX brand name.

1972: The company is nationalised and operates under the name VEB Spezialfarben Oranienburg.

1976: The first self-adhesive graphic products are manufactured and marketed under the ORACAL brand name.

An era in ORAFOL’s company history: The green graphic shows a circular dial on which the section from 4 to 6 o'clock is highlighted in white. It bears the inscription “The 1990s: Turning point”.

1990s: Turning point

1990: The company changes its name to ORAFOL Klebetechnik GmbH.

1991: ORAFOL Klebetechnik GmbH is privatised. The portfolio now includes self-adhesive graphic products, adhesive tape systems and reflective materials. 

1995: The foundation stone is laid for the construction of the new ORAFOL plant in Oranienburg Industrial Park.

An era in ORAFOL’s company history: The yellow graphic shows a circular dial on which the section from 6 to 8 o'clock is highlighted in white. It bears the inscription “The 2000s: On course for global growth".

2000s: On course for global growth

2000: Start of construction of an order picking and logistics center at headquarters.

2005: The foundation stone is laid for the construction of the ORACAL USA plant in Black Creek, Georgia. The plant is one of the most modern of its kind on the American continent.

2005: Merger of ORAFOL Klebetechnik GmbH and Transatlantic H. Bernhardt GmbH. To reflect its increasing international orientation, the company changes its name to ORAFOL Europe GmbH.

An era in ORAFOL’s company history: The red graphic shows a circular dial on which the section from 8 to 10 o’clock is highlighted in white. It bears the inscription “2010 to today: ORAFOL”.

2010 - today

2011: The ORAFOL Group acquires the US-based Reflexite Corporation and its worldwide subsidiaries

2013: ORAFOL Canada is founded in Ontario, Canada, as a distribution center for the Canadian market.

2016: Foundation of ORAFOL Middle East in Dubai, focusing on the distribution of retroreflective and graphic materials in the Middle East.

2017: ORAFOL Europe GmbH acquires Rowland Technologies in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA.

2019: Acquisition of Kay Automotive Graphics, in Lake Orion, Michigan, USA.

2019: Foundation of ORAFOL India Pvt. Ltd. in Dehli, India, specialising in the sale of retroreflective materials.

2020: Foundation of ORAFOL RUS Reflective Solutions in Pskov, Russia.

2021: Acquisition of NUPRO Advancedc TPU Films, in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, USA.

2022: Investment of 120 million euros in the expansion and extension of the US locations.

2024: Completion of the production area Hall 10 at the headquarters in Oranienburg and investment in the Belgian specialty film manufacturer Group M.A.M.

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