About Probst

Ernst Probst (1920 – 2007) son of a self-employed carpenter was born in Kirchberg/Jagst. After an apprenticeship as a metalworker and his return from captivity as a prisoner of war in 1947, Ernst Probst was dealing in agricultural machinery from 1951 to 1959. Afterwards, he worked as a foreman in the mechanical maintenance department of a precast concrete factory.

It did not take too long and his decision was clearly figured out: “I will start my own business again”. His wife Helene (1924 – 2009) felt a bit uneasy about it but forcefully supported her husband. Helene Probst was the first employee and later on became the fairy godmother of the company.

The mechanical clamp Polyp 64 for tower crane operation was the first product from series production.

First relationships to construction equipment dealers could be established via building contractors. Potential customers became aware of Probst, first brochures were printed and distributed. Within short time a precast concrete factory placed a significant order – a clamp for handling concrete manholes was demanded. It should fold up like an umbrella. The clamp was a striking success.

In 1980 Probst decided to participate in BAUMA trade show for the first time. Attending in the worldwide most important and largest trade show was a major step towards attracting worldwide attention. This was a solid fundament to grow on export markets rapidly.

Two years before, in 1978, Martin Probst, one of the sons, entered the company after having completed his mechanical engineer studies.

Already at the beginning of the nineties the use of concrete pavers was very common in the United Kingdom. It was obvious to expand further by opening an own distribution and service branch right there. 1985 it was finally at the time to open Probst’s new establishment and it was possible to serve the U.K. market, which got more and more important, perfectly from there.

This was also a gateway to new markets, because the British construction companies were already active worldwide at that time. Charles Bolland, the manager of the branch, played a substantial role for the success of Probst products in England.

The reunion started an economic boom and ended up in an unexpected sales increase.

Following the long-term orientation of the company policy, a distribution and manufacturing branch in Könitz, Thuringia, has been opened. Particular products are exclusively produced, maintained and demonstrated at this location by highly qualified and motivated employees.

The first welding robot was installed in 2000 at the branch in Könitz, Thuringia. Another milestone in the history of Probst!

From now on production could be effected even more accurate, faster and effi ciently. Finally this was the essential changeover from manual production into industrial production. Meanwhile there are working 3 welding robots at Probst, more investments are planned.

The financial crisis 2008/2009 did not leave Probst unaffected. Nevertheless the research and development department was working at full stretch on new products and further developments. These products were launched on time at the BAUMA 2010.

The results of this swabian innovation spirit were 10 imaginative novelties, like the screeding machine POWER PLAN PP, as well as the flagship for paver laying machines – the VM 401 or the vacuum-kerbstone-lifting device JUMBO BV vario.

In addition, the Erdmannhausen population and the families of the staff also celebrated with Probst. Around 2,000 visitors used the open day on Saturday 15th October to have a look behind the scenes of the international market leader for grab and installation technology. Here, many guests also participated in the regular tours around the development and testing, training and production departments and found out about the company’s latest products in the on-site showroom.

At the large equipment demonstrations, even the smallest visitors were able to have a go sitting on an installation machine, which they obviously enjoyed. Additionally, quad biking and children’s face painting, as well as a bouncy castle and a balloon competition, provided ideal entertainment for the youngest guests. On the information stand of the trainees in the training workshop, slightly older guests were able to find out about the various training opportunities at Probst. The local German Red Cross and the Gastrupp e.V. society provided sustenance with hearty food and delicious drinks.

The first order was to design a grab for handling concrete blocks with a forklift. Other challenging tasks followed which resulted in proper solutions. Thus further orders came in due to word-of-mouth recommendation.

Till this day Probst is taking pride in the first company’s patent – it is the fi rst hydraulic parallel squeeze block loading grab for truck loading cranes with a large opening range. At that time a significant milestone in development of handling technology.

These days the block loading grab AKZ still is one of the most important products at Probst. Production was extended and Ernst Probst hired a foreman to have more time on his part to design new products and to visit customers.

In 1983 another milestone was achieved and the range of products was extended by the HVZ Hydraulic Installation Clamp for paver laying. With this clamp it was possible to lay a complete square meter in one go.

This clamp started the long-standing success story of selling by product demonstration on the construction site. Even today, the Probst team of experts is advising the customers competent and with a practical orientation directly on site. The better solution will be found.

In 1988 Probst launched his first paver laying machine, the VM 203. The totally new designed machine was not just meeting the requirements of the growing market for mechanical paver installation. It also rewrote the rules.

The product was presented to the amazed trade experts for the first time at the GaLaBau fair in Nueremberg/Germany. The compactness and agility, as well as the reliability immediately convinced a lot of customers. Till today, this machine is an important cornerstone in the range of Probst products.

The use of vacuum-energy to handle industrial components was successfully applied in more and more industry sectors.

However Probst already knew that there is a big difference between working on a construction site and working industrial in clean and organized factory buildings. The solution was: Altering the standard vacuum components by combining them with the existing construction know-how, thus they can be used effectively on construction sites. This turned out well – Probst entered into vacuum-technology perfectly.

Three-dimensional CAD software is introduced, FEM durability approval is standard now and many new devices are broadening the range of products. Universally usable products, the so-called “Uni”-series are designed. Often times they replace two or three devices by just one new “Uni”- product, so the product portfolio was tightened.

In addition to that it was possible to optimize the products using standardized components. This modular construction principle reduced costs and an even better product quality could be achieved.

Probst Greiftechnik Verlegesysteme GmbH, a global developer and manufacturer of grab and installation technology, fittingly celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday 14th October 2011. Guests from over 25 countries accepted the invitation to the Erdmannhausen head office of the company founded in 1961. Guests from far-away Australia had come the furthest. In both the morning and the afternoon, numerous invited guests participated in a number of company tours of the production facility and the newly designed showroom. Around 350 people including guests of honour and staff celebrated at the evening gala in the “Halle auf der Schray”. In his official speech, Managing Director Martin Probst thanked the customers, agents, sales partners, suppliers and staff present for their longstanding, faithful co-operation and envisaged ideal conditions for further healthy growth in the future.

District Administrator Dr. Rainer Haas and Mayor Lutz Schwaigert from Erdmannhausen highlighted the longstanding bonds and demonstrated their pride in having such a company in the district/town. With an entertaining multimedia show, Martin Probst then took his guests on a fascinating journey through time, through the 50-year history of the company from the small metalwork business to the present global player. New product innovations, highlights and the current position of the company were presented in a round of talks of the board with distribution, export and production managers. 11 dedicated members of staff produced a successful musical recital, in which the product codes of Probst products were worked into amusing song lyrics. The successful event was accompanied by music from a “mobile” 3-piece jazz band, which provided appealing classics from different places in the hall during the breaks. After the official element of the gala, the cordial get-together continued much longer in the lounge area – with delicious cocktails, good music and interesting conversation.