September saw the Jacob Group formally celebrate its Golden Anniversary – 100 years of design and manufacture excellence from the leading pipework specialists
On April 1, 1924, engineer Friedrich Jacob founded his company – in Porta Westfalica, at the gateway to Westphalia. In the beginning, the company’s focus was on the manufacture of square wooden pipes that were used in mill construction and for the gravity fed conveying of flour and grain. Over the following decades, JACOB specialised in the manufacture of metal pipe systems for numerous applications, such as bulk material handling and dust extraction and exhaust air systems for environmental technology – with huge success. In the 1980s, JACOB products gained a foothold in many sectors and were deliveries made to numerous countries. International business gained momentum and in the following decade the first subsidiaries were founded in Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and the USA. The family business, now run by the fourth generation, employs more than 650 people and is the world’s leading supplier of modular pipe systems based on the modular principle.
Still a family business
Today the company is run by the founder’s great-grandson, Patrick Jacob, and Klaudine Gericke (below).
The pair agree that JACOB’s 100-year success story is above all thanks to its employees. “They have made the company what it is. People are the cornerstone of our success and our family cohesion, which we cultivate as a central corporate value,” said Patrick. The corporate culture at JACOB has always been characterised by change – even today. In times of digitalisation, for example, processes are being carried out with cobots and pipe systems are being developed using HoloLens technology. “Even if we interpret our philosophy in a modern way due to new challenges, the core will always remain the same: It all starts with the people,” added Klaudine Gericke.
Jacob UK Ltd became a subsidiary of the Jacob Group in 2001. Originally a team of three, Jacob UK started with a 600 m² warehouse of stock, and rapidly expanded to meet the growing demand across the UK and Ireland. Today, the team of eleven covers back-office sales and technical sales for industries that include snack food production and processing, coffee production, pharmaceutical and general processing to name a few. The UK stock comprises diameters from 60 mm to 400 mm in powder coated, hot dip galvanised and stainless steel with next day delivery as standard. The on-site valve workshop also facilitates fast build, custom solutions.
Managing Director Kim Littleton said: “The group ethos is very much reflected in our UK team – that our people are at the core of the company. We are so proud to be not only celebrating our company’s huge milestone and to be a part of Jacob family history, but where we are continuing to be at the forefront of modern innovations – this is key to our future successes.”
Jacob UK Ltd, Unit 2 Laundry Bank, Church Stretton, SY6 6PH
T: 01694 722841
