• COVER STORY: BÖLLINGHAUS STEEL •
Böllinghaus Steel: Built on adaptabi
Böllinghaus Steel’ s history is defined by continuous evolution, driven by innovation, specialization, and an unwavering focus on customer needs. As the company celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its Chicago location, that story has entered a new chapter, defined by global reach, deep customer partnerships, and a North American market that has become its most important stage.
• By Madeline McNabb, Stainless Steel World Americas
Founded in 1889, Böllinghaus Steel’ s early decades were rooted in carbon and tool steel production, serving industries that once dominated Europe. But as the market shifted, so did the company. As CEO Dr. Martin Löwendick puts it,“ If you want to survive as a company for more than 100 years, you have to constantly adapt to the market situation at hand.” That philosophy would ultimately guide Böllinghaus Steel into stainless steel production in 1980. Adaptability remains a defining trait of Böllinghaus Steel today, and nowhere is it more evident than in North America.
A decade of growth in North America The decision to establish a U. S. presence came with a clear benchmark.“ We decided that if we reached 4,000 tons per year, we had to open an office,” explains CEO Hartwig Härtel. That milestone was achieved in 2015, and the Chicago office officially opened soon after, with operations ramping up in 2016. 10 years later, the results speak for themselves.“ Now we more than doubled this volume,” Härtel adds, highlighting a remarkable period of growth.
Production site in Vieira de Leiria, Portugal.
What began as an expansion strategy has become a cornerstone of the company’ s global business.“ The United States is a huge country that is without a doubt the largest single market for us,” Löwendick notes. The Chicago office has not only increased sales volume but also transformed how the company engages with customers.
That transformation starts with a shift in mindset.“ I am not a big fan of the word customer,” explains Matt Kouba, CEO and managing director for the North American sales office.“ I prefer partnerships because it is a mutually beneficial arrangement.” This philosophy reflects a broader belief that long-term success depends on collaboration rather than transactions.
The company’ s approach to partnerships is grounded in three core commitments.“ We provide a premium quality product, we deliver when we say we are going to deliver, and we have a competitive price in the marketplace.” These pillars have helped Böllinghaus Steel build trust in a market where reliability is often the deciding factor.
The importance of local presence
Establishing a physical presence in the United States came down to cultural alignment as well as proximity.“ If you want to sell in a specific market, you need to come from that market,” Löwendick explains. By building a local team, Böllinghaus Steel gained
Hot rolling process of stainless steel profiles.
6 Stainless Steel World Americas | June 2026 | ssw-americas. com