On New Year's Eve 1896, Casper Schnettler and August Linneborn signed the foundation of the company "Schnettler & Co. nail factory". Until 1963, when the first modular steel shelving system was produced, the company's continuous product range consisted of steel nails, cut nails, special nails, upholstery nails and drawing pins. Six years later, the focus shifted to the steel shelving range and the company was renamed META-Regalbau GmbH & Co KG in the same year. In 1986, Joachim Loh integrated the warehouse technology expert into the Joachim Loh group of companies, in which many strong brands and companies are represented.

Growth, internationalization and spatial change

A central pillar of META is the continuous expansion of the company; the first subsidiary was founded in Austria as early as 1972. In the following years, the Czech Republic, Poland, England, Romania, America, Denmark and the Benelux countries followed. Most recently, additional sales offices were opened in France, Hungary, the Baltic States and South Eastern Europe. META has permanent sales partners in other countries who guarantee proximity to the customer.

The warehouse technology specialist has also undergone constant spatial changes, such as the final move to its current location in the Westring industrial estate (1969), the construction of the new office complex (until 2000) and the launch of Plant II (2017) very close to the headquarters.

Further development and cooperation

Product innovations and the further development of existing storage solutions are an important part of the corporate strategy. As has been the case for 125 years, during which the product range has been subject to constant change and development. One example is the new META Multifloor shelving system, which, as a modular system, is flexible to use and therefore simplifies customer-specific adaptation - even to static requirements if necessary.

META's strategy is geared towards a broad mix of sectors: from individual shelving units for industrial or trade customers to project business for large and multi-storey shelving systems. META is represented in many sectors, including industry, e-commerce, automotive, sanitary/electrical, office, etc. In addition to its own product range, partnerships are an important building block for META's future corporate development.

Chronicles and constant change

In two chronicles (on the 125th and 100th anniversaries), the company has recorded the constant change that META-Regalbau has undergone over the years. The developments over this long period of time are also intended to demonstrate the company's innovative strength and quality awareness.

The article appeared in materialfluss 4/22.