When TRADITION meets modern corporate culture
From 1949 to today: a story that inspires
Today, we are a global company with branches in Europe, the USA, China and South America, among other places. Our fittings and safety valves make us one of the international leaders in innovation. But even great success stories begin with a small first chapter: The journey begins back in 1949, when Gerhard Götze founded what is now Goetze KG Armaturen in Ludwigsburg.
Expansion of the portfolio, manufacture of individual special products, expansion to other continents: chapter by chapter, the success story continued with numerous milestones in engineering – right up to the present day.
Goetze History From a small stable to the world stage of innovation
Our company history began in 1949, when Gerhard Götze laid the foundation for today's GOETZE KG Armaturen in Ludwigsburg. With courage and vision, a simple horse stable in the Königin-Olga-Kaserne became the origin of forward-looking solutions in valve technology. Together with his sons Rolf, a businessman, and Günter, an engineer, he built a family business that still stands for the highest quality, technical precision and reliable pressure control today.
Gerhard Götze brought valuable experience from his work as an authorised signatory at a Saxon valve factory – a decisive factor in the subsequent success of the GOETZE brand.
In the post-war period, he not only found an ideal location in Ludwigsburg, but also support from the city. With its entry in the commercial register on 15 September 1949, the foundation stone for today's GOETZE KG Armaturen was laid. Even back then, Gerhard Götze was committed to precise workmanship and durable materials – values that still characterise our company today and distinguish our valves worldwide.
- The dawn of a new era
The 1950s marked the beginning of a dynamic growth phase for GOETZE. The increasing demand for high-quality fittings and valves quickly led to expansion: by 1961, the company had moved into a new, modern production facility to meet growing production requirements. Just four years later, this was expanded again – a clear sign of the company's continued success and growing market presence.
Technological advances and continuous optimisation of product quality cemented GOETZE's reputation as a reliable partner in the industry. The company set standards particularly in the sanitary and heating industry. The development of the 851 series – a real success story of its time – is a prime example of the innovative strength and technical excellence that still characterise GOETZE today. This valve series remains one of the long-standing favourites in the product portfolio.
- Stability and preparation for change
In 1988, Rolf Götze took over as managing director and sole shareholder. This phase was characterised by continuity, reliability and a clear focus on the proven strengths of the family business. Under his leadership, GOETZE consistently focused on quality and sustainability in product development, thereby laying the foundation for future growth.
The early 2000s finally heralded a significant generational change: Detlef Weimann, husband of granddaughter Sonja Götze, joined the company as managing partner. With new impetus and a forward-looking vision, he set the course for the transformation from a traditional valve manufacturer to an internationally active specialist for pressure control and safety valves. - Goetze on course for expansion: product diversity and internationalisation
The new management team ushered in a phase of strategic expansion: under the leadership of Detlef Weimann, the product range was systematically expanded and geared towards higher pressures, more demanding applications and more resistant materials. What once began with building fittings has consistently developed into a broad portfolio of industrial valves, including stainless steel, spheroidal graphite cast iron and special valves for a wide range of applications.
Thanks to its targeted range of materials and variants – for example in seals, connection types and materials – GOETZE has tapped into new industries and international markets. Its specialisation in industrial valves has enabled it to successfully getting started in complex areas of pressure control and pressure protection. At the same time, customised solutions were developed for the first time to meet individual requirements.
This product offensive was accompanied by extensive investments: between 2006 and 2012, the company modernised its production facilities, expanded its manufacturing capacities and created new rooms for training and employees – including the company's own break and recreation area. During this time, GOETZE established itself as a global provider of safety ‘Made in Germany’.
Brand strengthening through targeted strategies
Shortly afterwards, Sonja Weimann took on a central role in marketing and played a decisive role in driving forward the strategic development of corporate communications. Her flair for brand management, target group communication and international positioning had a significant influence on GOETZE's new image.
Through clear corporate design, consistent language and strategic B2B marketing, she positioned GOETZE as an internationally recognised brand with a clear identity and high recognition value in the industrial valve market.
Globally positioned – locally rooted
In 2010, the company was renamed GOETZE KG Armaturen – a deliberate step towards greater international recognition and a clear signal of its global orientation. Today, GOETZE is globally positioned with subsidiaries in Europe, the USA, China and South America.
At the same time, the product range was systematically expanded to include new areas of application: 2015 saw the company's entry into cryogenic technology with special valves for extremely low temperatures. In 2018, the introduction of the aseptic series 4000 specifically addressed the requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industries. This product diversification opened up new markets with high regulatory requirements for the company – supported by a steadily growing number of international approvals, including for China, the USA, Canada and Korea.
Despite this global expansion, GOETZE remains deeply rooted in Ludwigsburg. The employees are at the heart of the company. Their competence, commitment and development are at the centre of the corporate culture. Stephanie Lin (née Weimann) has been responsible for human resources since then and has brought important impetus for efficiency and transparency with the introduction of digital HR processes.
A family tradition spanning four generations
Tobias Weimann supported the development of the British market while studying in England and gained valuable experience in international sales. After graduating, he took over sales management and introduced new approaches with a clear focus on strategic market development and global presence.
In 2019, Tobias Weimann joined the management team and oversaw the consistent expansion of the company's international presence: in the same year, a branch was established in Brazil, complementing the subsidiary that had been in place in China since 2014. Global expansion continued in the following years with the opening of a location in the USA in 2022 and another branch in the United Arab Emirates in 2025.
In parallel with market development, Tobias Weimann was responsible for the digitalisation of key business processes, from sales organisation to cross-divisional IT strategy. Today, international proximity to customers and the expansion of digital structures form a cornerstone of the fourth generation of company management.
Our new building in Ludwigsburg A glimpse into the future
With its new building at its headquarters in Ludwigsburg, GOETZE KG Armaturen is creating a forward-looking environment that brings together production, logistics, development and administration under one roof. The modern architecture not only stands for efficiency and short distances, but also for a working environment that promotes openness, innovation and cooperation.
The new building is an expression of a corporate culture that gives its employees room to develop – technically, personally and as a team. This environment gives rise to solutions that meet the highest standards of safety, quality and precision – characteristics that have always distinguished the GOETZE name.
With a history shaped by pioneering spirit and vision, GOETZE KG Armaturen looks forward to a promising future. As an international innovation leader, we stand for quality, precision and reliability – now as in the past.