August LÄPPLE laid the foundation for the group of companies when he opened a small car mechanic workshop in Weinsberg in 1919. Following his guiding principle “If you’re not advancing you’re falling behind” he was offering  business solutions even then that matched his customers’ production conditions. He combined expertise with state-of-the-art technology – and was successful.

Several generations later the simple workshop has become a globally active group of companies boasting more than 4,000 employees. Today LÄPPLE offers its customers innovative high-tech solutions with the highest level of quality.

1919
Foundation of mechanic workshop by August Läpple (1885-1968) in Weinsberg
1940
His sons Erich and Helmut Läpple and brother-in-law Ernst Fleischmann take over the management 
1948
LÄPPLE becomes Porsche’s first supplier
1950
Move to the new Heilbronn location 
1958
LÄPPLE becomes Germany’s biggest independent tool manufacturer with more than 1,300 employees
1968
Foundation of the business unit Formenbau (mould construction)
1972
Foundation of August Läpple LTD in Rosslyn, South Africa
1974
LÄPPLE absorbs the FIBRO GmbH
1990
Foundation of LÄPPLE Blechverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG Bayern in Teublitz
2002
Foundation of LÄPPLE AG/LÄPPLE Holding AG
2004
Change in management of LÄPPLE AG: Wolf-Peter Graeser becomes CEO
2004
Expansion of Heilbronn location, buy-out of GSA Automation GmbH
2004
Acquisition of GSA Automation in Bad Friedrichshall
2006
Joint Venture, LSP Automotive Systems LLC. USA, at Spartanburg, South Carolina 
2007
Expansion of mould construction business unit: New site in Züttlingen
2008
Foundation of Läpple Formenbau GmbH, Züttlingen
Dr. Daniel Böhmer becomes CEO
2009
Foundation of Läpple Blechverarbeitung GmbH Heilbronn (01/09)
Foundation of Läpple Werkzeugbau GmbH (05/09)
Foundation of Läpple Anlagenbau GmbH (05/09)