In 1912, Paul Vahle, then employed at the Dortmund iron and steelworks Hoesch AG, develops the world's first copper conductor rail. He applies for a patent for his invention, which also contributed to the industrial revolution, and founds his own company on April 9.

After the death of Paul Vahle in 1926, his wife Helene takes over the business. Under her management, the factory halls in Dortmund-Brackel are rented. Six years later, she hands over the company to her son Paul Werner Vahle.

During the Second World War, Paul Werner Vahle was called up for military service and was captured in 1945. His wife Maria runs the business until his return four years after the end of the war.

In the newly founded Federal Republic of Germany, the signs then point to a new beginning. In 1950, VAHLE already records a turnover of 1.2 million Deutschmarks.

The economic miracle pays off: in 1956, VAHLE acquires the property on Westicker Straße in Kamen. By the end of the decade, both production and administration had moved, as had the company's workforce of almost 150 employees.

VAHLE expands in the 1960s. This is also due to Josef Hötte, who joins the company in 1966 and will have a decisive influence on Paul Vahle GmbH & Co KG over the next 40 years as co-partner and managing director.

The 1970s are characterized by product enhancements. For example, the light metal rail and the U10 conductor rail are developed. VAHLE also equips the Transrapid and manufactures the millionth meter of plastic conductor rail.

In 1998, VAHLE develops the CPS system for Contactless Power Supply for inductive power transmission. At the turn of the millennium, the company has more than 400 employees and a turnover of around 52 million Deutschmarks.

A milestone anniversary: VAHLE celebrates its centenary in 2012.

Achim Dries takes over the management in 2013.

As a systems provider, VAHLE is increasingly realizing large-scale projects. In 2015, Port Felixstowe, the busiest container port in the UK, was electrified and automated, followed in 2018 by AIN Dubai, the largest and tallest Ferris wheel in the world.

Logistics and production at the Kamen site are optimized by a fully automated small parts warehouse and a honeycomb warehouse. Robot production in Production U will be put into operation in 2021.

In May 2021, VAHLE Automation GmbH, which emerged from the joint venture VAHLE DETO founded in 2013 in Kufstein (Austria), will become a full part of the VAHLE Group.

The new VAHLE Campus is being built in Kamen, directly on Westicker Strasse - the largest investment in the company's history, which will set the course for a successful future. More information about the VAHLE Campus: here.