Foundation: 1986 as Profas GmbH; acquired by the uvex safety group: 1998
Location: Lüneburg
Managementment: Carsten Baumgarten
As part of its diversification efforts to become a full-range supplier, the company acquired a stake in 1986 in the young glove manufacturer Profas, which had recently commenced production in Lauenburg an der Elbe with 10 employees and a daily output of 1,500 pairs. The high market acceptance of Profas gloves soon led to a significant increase in production, necessitating the construction of new administrative and manufacturing buildings in Lüneburg in 1990. In 1999, the uvex safety group acquired a majority stake in the company and renamed Profas uvex safety gloves in 2013. Construction of the third factory building also began in the same year, and it was inaugurated a year later.
The product range includes protective gloves designed to protect against mechanical hazards such as cuts, cold and heat, as well as chemical hazards.
Did you know? Profas began production in 1986 in an old coffin factory.
Today, uvex safety gloves is one of the largest manufacturers of hand protection in Europe.
The Early Days
Rüdiger Colditz founded the company PROFAS GmbH on 13 January 1986 at Wendlandstraße 29 in Hamburg. The company’s purpose was the manufacture and sale of occupational safety products, with a particular focus on personal protective equipment.
Move to new factory premises
Just one year after the company was founded, the headquarters in Hamburg had become too small for the thriving production of protective gloves. Mr Colditz drew up the plans for the new factory in Lüneburg on the drawing board, and the company moved into its new premises at Elso-Klöver-Straße 2 in Lüneburg on 15 February 1991.
Expansion at Elso-Klöver-Str. 6
By 16 January 1998, the plant already had 100 employees. The factory buildings were extended in December 1998. In May 1999, the company moved into the new building and the warehouses. In the same year, the uvex group acquired a majority stake.
Ground-breaking ceremony
On 12 August 2013, the ground-breaking ceremony for the third factory building took place. This was followed on 18 July 2014 by the official opening of the new building. Investment in the Lüneburg site continued.
Generational transition
The so-called change process began in 2019. Not only were new staff appointed and key responsibilities handed over to the younger generation, but numerous processes, procedures and, above all, product development were also reorganised. Carsten Baumgarten joined the company as the new managing director.
Graffiti for a strong team
Production was in full swing this year, and uvex safety gloves grew to become one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of protective gloves. A graffiti artist brightened up the production hall.
