Page 12 - CMA PROfiles Winter 2021

A CENTURY OF

INNOVATION

by Carla Atkinson

The Helmitin story began in Germany more than 100 years ago in Montreal, Canada, in 1982. He sold the company to ITOCHU
when the Paul Heinicke Chemische Fabrik und Helmitin Werke International in 1998.
was established in Erfurt, Germany, in 1919.
The company now known simply as Helmitin continues the
Founder Paul Heinicke began the business as a proverbial mission that Paul Heinicke had from the beginning: Harnessing
garage start-up selling adhesives, cleaners, primers, and the latest technology, understanding the industries it serves,
finishes to the European footwear industry, but it grew quickly. and providing exceptional service to all of its valued customers.
Its first manufacturing plant making shoe adhesives opened
in Erfurt in the 1920s, and other facilities followed in The CUSTOM SOLUTIONS
Netherlands and in Pirmesans, Germany. In the 21st century, Helmitin sees its value proposition as
Paul Heinicke died in 1946, and his son, Helmut, took over the offering solutions based on leading-edge technology while
business. In 1959, Helmut Heinicke opened manufacturing providing personalized, dedicated service for its customers.
plants in France and Toronto, Canada; a plant in Olive “We’re very different from many competitors in our industry,”
Branch, MS, was opened in 1979. In 1981, Heinicke sold the says Mike McCormick, Director of Industrial Sales. “We
European operations engage with our customers to understand their needs and
and focused his time expectations and strive to be a responsive and trusted partner.
on North America, We have the flexibility and expertise to help customers
opening another plant
problem-solve and find just the right solution.
“If customers are trying to decide
which way to go, we can show
We have a ‘can do’ culture, and we do them a series of options,” he says.
it with respect and appreciation of
our customers and each other. “People come to us all the time
and say, ‘We need to put these two
— Adrian Holzscherer products together, and here are the
Adrian Holzscherer
requirements that have to be met.’”

10 PROFILES WINTER 2021