In September 2025, BIRN Germany, located in Mülheim an der Ruhr, marks 50 years in business – half a century of supporting European industry with reliable, high-quality power transmission solutions. Despite tough competition in the market, the wide product range, customized parts, and flexible and reliable solutions delivered on time continues to prove BIRN Germany’s relevance in a changing market.
Five decades after the founding as a purchasing office for hard-to-source parts for the Danish parent company, BIRN Group, BIRN Germany has grown into the group’s sole supplier and producer of high-quality power transmission components. From the relocation to Mülheim in 1984 to the introduction of the innovative VTP pulley in 1998 and several expansions of the production site since 2010, the company has continually adapted to market needs while strengthening its role within BIRN Group.
- Our strength lies in combining fast delivery and a wide product range with technical know-how and reliability. We work closely with our customers to understand their challenges – and we deliver the right solution, whether it’s a single customized part or a full series. When a customer needs a complex part within 2-4 weeks, we make it happen, explains Dennis Klimanek, Managing Director at BIRN Germany.
Managing Director of BIRN Germany - Dennis Klimanek (in the middle)
The company currently employes 36 people at its site in Mülheim, where the production of components such as VTP pulleys and LB and Bico couplings takes place. In recent years, BIRN Germany has increasingly focused on producing special parts in-house for the European market.
Continuous investments in automation, logistics, and specialized production capabilities underline the growing focus on precision parts for advanced machinery in power transmission industries. With the full stock transfer from Denmark in 2010 and the steady expansion of the Mülheim facilities – most recently to more than 4,000 square meters in 2020 – BIRN Germany has established itself as the central power transmission hub for the entire BIRN Group. With this, BIRN Germany is positioning itself as a future-ready partner in European manufacturing.
- We’re really proud to have been part of this very competitive industry for 50 years. But we also know that our role is far from over. As long as customers need reliable, tailored components – produced close to where they’re used – we’ll be here. We’re already looking toward the next 50 years, says Dennis Klimanek.
The 50th anniversary will be marked with a celebration for current and former employees at BIRN Germany.
50 years of BIRN Germany – key milestones
- 1975: Founded as Vald. Birn Germany as part of BIRN Group in Essen by Rolf Lüke. Originally a purchasing office for components not easily sourced in Denmark, and a strategic entry point to the German market.
- 1980s: Bent Laerke takes over as Managing Director. BIRN Germany expands its product scope after the acquisition of Roulunds Rubber’s German business.
- 1984: Relocation to Mülheim an der Ruhr (Friedrich-Ebert Straße 220). Production of customized parts begins alongside sale of coupling, v-belts and pulleys.
- 1992: Relocation to the current location in Mülheim with 1,500 square meters of combined office, stock, and production facilities.
- 1998: Introduction to the VTP (Ventilated Turbo Pulley), developed by Valdemar Richard Birn. The unique design leads to rapid growth in sales.
- 2008: BIRN Germany becomes the sole distributor and stockist of all BIRN power transmission parts.
- 2010: Full stock transfer from Denmark to Germany – all BIRN Group transmission products are now sold via BIRN Germany.
- 2015: Production of VTP pulleys and LB/Bico couplings is fully transferred to Mülheim. Facility size doubles to approx. 3,000 square meters.
- 2020: Further expansion to over 4,000 square meters to accommodate growing production, stock, and office needs.
- Today: BIRN Germany is known for high-quality power transmission products, fast delivery, and efficient sourcing – and proudly serves as BIRN Group’s power transmission hub.
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