We have been located at our site in the Ludwigstal industrial area since 1988. In 1998, we last expanded our production area. Now we are faced with the challenge that we can no longer cope with our current capacities. For this purpose, we have acquired a plot of land with almost 5,000 m² to build a new production site including offices. In the first step, our production area is doubled to almost 1,200 m², with the option of expanding by an additional 1,000 m². The two stories office wing, which also houses social facilities, will have a total area of approximately 560 m². The new location is only a few kilometers away from the current location and is located in the Henrichshütte industrial and landscape park. Construction is expected to start in 2026, and the relocation is scheduled for 2027. The old site is to be sold.

Up to 4,000 control blocks are tested in-house annually. For many safety-relevant applications, it is important to check the tightness of the blocks and valves, as well as the setting and closing behavior of the valves. For this purpose, the cylinder blocks are mounted on the test bench by means of a test plate specially adapted to the block. Various load cases of the cylinder can be simulated. To avoid heat input, the pressure is generated with a pneumatically driven pressure intensifier, which realizes a moderate pressure build-up to testing pressure and switches off. In addition, a power unit is built which can realize flow rates of up to 15 l/min at a pressure of up to 350 bar. In addition to counterbalance valves, pressure relief valves can also be set.

40 years ago, on April 1, 1983, B&B Hydraulik-Technik GmbH was founded in Witten Herbede. The aim was the distribution of hydraulic components and accessories. Due to the demand for complete hydraulic units, the focus was placed on the design and assembly of these. In 1987, a mechanical production facility was purchased and the construction of a production site in Hattingen began. In 1994, the first CNC machining center was purchased. Since then, the business model has shifted from the production of hydraulic power units to the production of hydraulic control blocks in aluminum and steel. Today, by far the largest customer is the sister company B&B Fluidsysteme GmbH, founded in 1992, which supplies fully equipped valve blocks. The plant business only plays a subordinate role.

Several investments are required to expand our production.

In September 2021, our CNC machine park was expanded with a new Mazak VCN-530C. It is equipped with a fourth axis and an automatic chip conveyor. The machine park expands to a total of seven machining centers, four of them are equipped with a fourth axis. To create the necessary space for the new machine, an old, little-used Mazak QuickTurn lathe had to be decommissioned.

To keep up with the increased production volumes, a higher storage capacity is also required. As space is limited, only vertical storage remains an option – with a new pallet warehouse.

We have also grown in terms of staff. Additional support is necessary for operating the new machine, as well as for processing subsequent work steps such as deburring, assembly, and shipping.