30 Years of Spetec GmbH in Erding

2001

2004

2007

2013

The company started with service and spare parts sales for ICP spectrometers. When in 1987 the then Kontron GmbH ceased manufacturing and distributing ICP devices, the current shareholder and managing director Friedhelm Rickert founded Spetec GmbH from this. This was achieved through a management buy-out from his former employer, Kontron GmbH in Eching. Kontron was one of the leading ICP manufacturers on the global market at that time. An ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) spectrometer is an analytical device used to determine elements in liquids, such as mercury, arsenic, or iron in rivers or wastewater.

Soon, it was recognized that the company needed to invest in its own product line alongside spare parts sales for ICP devices. The search was on for an in-house product whose development and marketing could be financed independently.

In 1988, a peristaltic pump was developed, both as a standalone device and as an OEM version. These pumps are used as sample dosing components in ICP spectrometers. The markets were sought among ICP manufacturers worldwide. These manufacturers were competitors of Kontron at the time. For Spetec GmbH, they became potential customers.

In 1999, another business area was added. The products for cleanroom technology were intended for the chemical-analytical market. A dedicated product line was developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation in Stuttgart. Based on numerous inquiries from other market segments such as laser technology, electronics, or precision mechanics, a greater demand potential in these markets became apparent. By participating in international trade fairs such as Laser World of Photonics Munich, Electronica Munich, Productronica Munich, Hannover Messe, Motek Stuttgart, and Ilmac Basel, these markets could then be targeted specifically.

In 2010, further investments were made in various developments, such as a precision syringe pump. This is used for the transfer of liquids in very small quantities down to the nanoliter range. Additional products, like the laser safety curtain introduced in 2014, followed. This represents a complementary product to cleanroom technology in the laser technology market segment.

Today, Spetec has a significant share of the global market for peristaltic pumps. The company supplies products to the USA, Japan, China, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, and many European countries.

Spetec is ISO 9001 certified and currently employs 55 staff members. For 2019, its own operational building with approximately 2,500 sqm of production and office space in Erding is planned. A site of about 9,000 sqm has already been acquired for this purpose.

With the appointment of Fabian Holzner and Ruth Rickert-Kreikemeier as managing directors, the transition to the second generation has recently been initiated.