Dematic celebrates 200th anniversary

Dematic’s first wooden electric conveyor in 1922.

Warehouse equipment and automation company Dematic is celebrating its 200th anniversary. The company’s origins date back to 1819 when Mechanische Werkstätten Harkort & Co was founded and produced the first steam-powered crane.
“Innovation is at the core of what we do,” said Hasan Dandashly, president and CEO, Dematic. “As our business grows in an increasingly digital world, we are focused on designing and implementing equipment combining the latest advancements in software, robotics and mechatronics to drive optimal performance. By focusing on the long-term needs of our customers, our innovative products have enabled us to be a market leader for not only decades, but centuries.”
Dematic’s recent past traces back to 1995 when Mannesmann Demag, the world’s first complete supplier of intralogistics was formed. Ten years later, Dematic GmbH & Co. KG was established as its own enterprise focusing on automated storage for small parts. From cranes to a global supplier of integrated automated technology, software and services, Dematic has always remained at the forefront of the industry by focusing on the future.

Dematic’s history in Australia and New Zealand began in 1966 when Colby Engineering was first set up, providing adjustable pallet racking. The company has continued to grow and evolve through various business transitions: from Colby to Mannesmann to Siemens to Dematic. Out of respect for its long heritage as an Australian manufacturer, and strong recognition in the market, the Colby name continues today as Dematic’s storage equipment brand.
Some of Dematic’s greatest innovations include the world’s first hanging conveyor (1930s), its storage and retrieval machines (1950s), the world’s first fully automated warehouse (1962), Dematic Multishuttle, the company’s ground-breaking mini-load handling system (2006), and the integrated software platform the Dematic iQ Software Portfolio (2018).
“Although our products provide great value, it’s really the people of Dematic that make the difference,” said Mr Dandashly. “Each employee plays a crucial role in Dematic’s history and we continue to be guided by our values of courage, collaboration, integrity and excellence. I look forward to more success in the next 200 years.”