On 5 April 2024, almost exactly 30 years after Toms Gerber Carpentry was founded, our family business opened its doors to celebrate a proud anniversary with friends, family, customers, project partners and customers. A mild spring evening in April provided the ideal conditions to celebrate partnership and community, and to thank all the many people who have been with us on this journey. There was plenty to look back on. Since our foundation on 1 April 1994 and our transition to limited company status in April 1998, Toms Gerber GmbH has come a long way: we are now a reliable supplier of high-quality engineered-wood components for interior design. From our beginnings as a small seedling in the carpentry world through bold development decisions to make us a forward-thinking company in the woodworking sector and then an innovative supplier that knows how to best combine industrial capabilities with the expert craftsmanship, the history of Toms Gerber reflects the evolution of a family business whose watchwords are adaptability, innovation and close partnerships.
From the roots to the crown: The history of Toms Gerber GmbH
The roots of Toms Gerber GmbH date back to 1885 – a time when F. Hermann Steinert KG, initially a textile processing company, used completely different raw materials in its manufacturing. The years that followed were to bring a rich history to the family business known today as Toms Gerber GmbH, including many transformations. which in turn were influenced by political and social developments. After decades of growth, the company, then in its third generation, was forcibly nationalised in 1972. 20 years later, after German reunification, Toms Gerber regained the building that had been its company headquarters.
Toms Gerber was a master carpenter who took up his family’s long tradition in 1994, starting a wood processing company. Its core business was initially the provision of all carpentry services. However, by specialising in postforming and the production of composite components, Toms Gerber soon found a niche that would make our company famous to this day. A step that was sometimes ridiculed in the industry at the time but that turned out to be groundbreaking factor in our success. The next logical step was to become a subcontracting company that aspired to supply clients with customised solutions; this set the course for the continuous growth of the company that is still ongoing today.
30th anniversary: looking back at our company celebration
The celebrations on 5 April 2024 began with a warm welcome in the production hall. This stands next to the building where the company started out, which had been lovingly prepared especially for the event. Company banners at the entrance and the large canopy by the panel saw highlighted our focus on consistency and innovation on the one hand, whilst also proclaiming the potential of our state-of-the-art technology for the production of customised engineered-wood components and furniture parts. As all the guests gradually arrived, peaceful keyboard music from Carsten at Kla4 heralded the official part of the evening. The opening speech by Tom and Hermine Gerber not only emphasised the company’s historical journey, but also the courage and foresight of founder Toms Gerber, who for his part never tired of stressing that it was a team effort that had brought his ideas to fruition. The guests and all present were delighted to be able to welcome Toms Gerber – the founder himself – who despite health challenges attended the celebration in person to express his appreciation and thanks.
The event was also opened by words of appreciation from the Mayor of Callenberg, Daniel Röthig. He set the tone for an evening full of gratitude and confidence, recognising the importance of regional partnerships and solidarity in the skilled trades. Later, our guests were taken on a tour of the company, giving them the opportunity to have a go at this craft and gain an overview of our day-to-day work, which is now dominated by machining and digital networks. This provided an insight into our state-of-the-art production facilities and our latest acquisition: a drilling and milling centre with automated panel return. One special item on the agenda was a trip to our external warehouse at PRÜSTEL Spedition GmbH, which demonstrated the logistical efforts that go into Toms Gerber’s rapid delivery capacity.
Partnership close at hand
A highlight of the evening was the visit to our external warehouse at PRÜSTEL Spedition GmbH. This underlined the importance of our long-standing partnerships and the role they play in the success of Toms Gerber GmbH. The presentation on the types of material stored, the special features of the warehouse itself and how stock is handled included delivery cycles, which we use not only to achieve exceptional storage capacity but also to organise just-in-time production. All in all an impressive demonstration of how Toms Gerber GmbH has succeeded in strengthening its market position through efficiency and innovation.
An unforgettable evening
As expected, the catering by Restaurant Lennards of Glauchau left nothing to be desired, offering a select and colourful mix of freshly cooked dishes and sweet treats. The magic show by Frank Zick, which took place on a stage set up above our 5-axis CNC machining centre, turned out to be the surprise of the night. The magician’s illusions mesmerised not only the guests involved, but also the audience, both young and old. The evening was rounded off with music, dancing and inspiring conversation. DJ ErzBeat provided the sounds for dancing between the panel saw, 5-axis machining, drilling and milling centre, while shop talk got going in the warmth of the brazier outside the production hall. As always, of course, the guests make the party and we were inspired by the good company. Our thanks to everyone involved for an evening that will live long in the memory.
Thanks and appreciation
The celebration of the 30th anniversary of Toms Gerber GmbH not only looked back at years gone by, it was also an opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of our company. First and foremost, our success is based on the tireless efforts of every team member. However, this was and is complemented by the loyalty of our customers and the trust of our business partners, often over many years. Many of them have become part of the Toms-Gerber family in one way or another, and have been part of a wide variety of transformations. So it has not escaped our notice that the 6th generation is now moving – or would like to be moving – through the production hall. Special thanks go to our long-standing clients and partners! Among the latter, we would like to highlight two companies in particular. On the one hand, PRÜSTEL Spedition GmbH, which plays an essential role in our logistics chain, providing storage space and haulage services; on the other hand, ATL Transport und Logistik GmbH Chemnitz, which has been bringing its outstanding expertise to the daily transport of finished goods to our customers and their construction sites since 2007. Partnerships like these are the backbone of what we do and enable us to guarantee flexibility, quality and prompt delivery.
Outlook
The 30th anniversary of Toms Gerber GmbH is a milestone that not only honours the past, but also looks to the future. With the fifth generation now an integral part of the company, innovation and the pursuit of excellence continue to be its guiding stars. The history of Toms Gerber GmbH is a story of family, partnership and the relentless search for the best way to meet our customers’ requirements.
We are optimistic about the future and look forward to pushing the boundaries of technology. Our journey continues, and we are grateful for everyone who is sharing it with us. With innovation, clear vision and the ongoing commitment of everyone involved, the company is ready to meet the challenges of the coming years and continue to play a key role in developments in the sector. We are a tree with deep roots in the region and a fully grown crown.