History, tradition and progress

For over 100 years, the name BECK has stood for traditional Swabian virtues such as reliability, quality and precision. Over the decades, the traditional company from the Swabian Alb has developed into a leading producer of precision tools.

By integrating the company in the MAPAL Group, a strategic decision was made which ideally prepares the company for the future and guarantees customers and employees many years of security and stability.

History of August Beck GmbH & Co. KG

  • 2021 Modernization and digitization

    BECK masters the demanding challenges of our digital age through automation processes in which the latest robot technologies are integrated in order to guarantee the best efficiency with consistently excellent quality and continuity with precise and highly dynamic automated movement sequences.

  • 2019 Change in management

    The management is now back to Dr. Jochen Kress and Frank Dreher. Frank Rieber changes internally to the sister company MILLER GmbH & Co. KG.

  • 2015 new General Managers at BECK

    Frank Rieber and Frank Dreher are appointed General Managers and manage the company together with Dr. Jochen Kress.

  • 2014 countersinking revolutionised

    BECK once again proves to be a progressive company with vision. The EUC countersink that is unique throughout the world sees the light of day and revolutionises countersinking due to the unequal pitch of the cutting edges.

  • 2012 product portfolio expanded

    In order to always be a step ahead of the competition with the latest tool technologies, the product portfolio is constantly expanded to include e.g. MR reamers, micro-reamers and the XR replaceable head system.

  • 2011 foundation "tool-traders-partner"

    As part of a new brand strategy, the "tool-traders-partner" association is founded. The members BECK, MILLER and WTE market their products under their own brand name as trade partners in order to ensure more intensive support for the customers.

  • 2010 Dr. Jochen Kress new managing director

    Dr. Jochen Kress is appointed new managing director der August Beck GmbH & Co. KG. He holds a doctorate in machine engineering and within the MAPAL board of management is responsible for research and development as well as for the "Fixed Reamers" product unit.

  • 2009 competence centre for fixed reamers

    In view of the many years of experience in the fine machining of bores with multi-bladed monoblock reamers, BECK becomes the competence centre for fixed reamers within the MAPAL Group.

  • 2008 world's first reamer without chip spaces

    Presentation of the world's first reamer without chip spaces at the AMB Trade Fair in Stuttgart.

  • 2006 BECK celebrates 100th anniversary

    The company's 100th anniversary is celebrated in style ceremony and a Family Day for the employees. Thanks to large investments in Production and a fundamental reorganisation, BECK is more than ever one of the specialists in the reamer field.

  • 2004 MAPAL Group

    With the takeover of the company by MAPAL Dr. Kress KG from Aalen, the existence of the company for the future is assured.

  • 2002 new site for hard machining

    The new site 2 for the hard machining of carbide, Cermet, PCD and CBN tools is completed and can be occupied.

  • 1995 multi-bladed high-performance reamer

    The development of the multi-bladed high-performance reamer of carbide and Cermet is a further success and allows the company to make further progress.

  • 1981 leader in its industry

    By its 75th anniversary, the company is one of the leaders in its industry in Western Europe and has some 300 employees. The product range is completed for the time being with a solid drill tipped with indexable blades and with the single-blade reamer with carbide indexable blade.

  • 1958 New Branch in Harthausen auf der Scher

    A branch is built in Harthausen auf der Scher near Winterlingen which starts production with 16 employees in 1959.

  • 1953 New Products

    After the turmoil of the 2nd World War and difficult early years, reaming and countersinking tools with carbide tips and of solid carbide as future-oriented products are added to the BECK manufacturing range which is further expanded to include multi-stage tools.

  • 1939 † August Beck

    August Beck dies on 19.12.1939 after a fulfilled and successful life. He leaves behind a company which in the meantime has grown to 215 employees.

  • 1925 New Site: Winterlingen

    As there is no room for expansion in Ebingen, August Beck decides to move to Winterlingen with a total of 30 employees. By the end of the year the company has 75 employees.

  • 1919 decision for precision tools

    The decision in favour of a development towards precision tools is taken this year with the start of production of reamers for metal machining.

  • 1906 Foundation

    August Beck, one of those legendary "tinkerers" who had served his apprenticeship at Gottlieb Daimler together with Robert Bosch, founded a mechanical workshop in Ebingen that predominantly carried out machine repairs for the local textile industry. 

Corporate objectives

Our highest priority as a company is to preserve jobs through growth, economic success and environmental protection.

We regard increasing efficiency and economic growth as a requirement for safeguarding jobs in the long-term. We achieve this with long-term business relationships with our customers and suppliers. Because we want to maintain and preserve cooperation on a basis of partnership and trust as a valuable asset  through an open and honest relationship between management, customers and employees. In addition we take responsibility for the protection of our environment with respect to the well-being of future generations.

We regard these aims as guarantees for a satisfactory and trusting cooperation and for a secure future.

Our Philosophy

Customer orientation
Our customers' expectations of us and our products are very high all over the world. The active communication with our customers allows us to understand their needs and demands. This understanding creates the basis for responsible action in line with the challenges presented to us. And the result of this process are our products and services. Dependability and perseverance are the guiding principles that characterise us in all our fields of activity.
Stability on the market and expansion of the market shares
Our customers expect modern and future-oriented products and services from us. It is therefore our goal to maintain and further expand our position in a constantly changing market environment through innovative products and solutions. As specialists for fixed tools, we aim also to develop into new areas where we can gain a leading position on the market thanks to our competence, high manufacturing depth and experience.
Innovation as the foundation for a successful company
We believe that innovations in all the existing fields of competence of our company play the predominant role in our success. For this we create a degree of freedom in our daily thoughts and activities. And these lead to new results in technology and corporate success.
Partnerships within the MAPAL Group
For a professional and dependable partnership with the trade, we are part of an association of three strong brands from leading, internationally renowned toolmakers. As a member of the MAPAL Group, it is our conviction and goal that we support the processes, products and services also internally and develop them on a basis of partnership. We profit from this cooperation. At the same time it is our wish to contribute actively to the overall success of the MAPAL Group.
Precise and high-quality products
Our customers rely on the guaranteed precision of all BECK products. For this reason, quality and precision are for us a constant obligation and part of our vision. Our goals as a company and our own demands on our abilities and activities reflect this vision and are practised day after day.
Our employees are the guarantee of our success
The ongoing intensive contact with our customers allows us to assess and actively fulfil the expectations of us and our products. The experience gathered in the process gives us a clear view of the chances and opportunities open to us. The compilation and implementation of this information to the benefit of the company and to the satisfaction of our customers is particularly important. This is made possible only by a high degree of competence, enthusiasm and commitment on the part of our employees. We create the preconditions for this through a wide range of qualification measures, a good working climate and a safe and creative working environment. Particularly important for us is the training of young people who for us form the foundation for a positive future of our company.

Worldwide presence, international reputation

The steadily growing range of high-quality product solutions demands individual support. Competent contact partners who offer advice and support are available to our customers and trade partners all over the world!