){kind=logo}
Zell Materials
in the course of history
Zell Materials
in the course of history
75 years experience in plastics - our heritage
)
1949A Bronze Casting Foundry
A Bronze Casting Foundry
Dr. Rudolf Klepsch Sr. leases the Brandstätter bronze foundry and founds Zell-Metall.
)
1955Polyamide Production
Polyamide Production
Zell-Metall becomes the second company in Europe to begin extruding polyamide round rods.
)
1960Move to Kaprun
Move to Kaprun
The plants in Mühlbach and Zell am See are relocated to Kaprun.
)
1964POM Production
POM Production
The first POM stockshape products are produced.
)
1966Plant Tecnoplast Sant Angelo
Plant Tecnoplast Sant Angelo
Founding of the company and start of production in Ischia (IT)
){kind=logo}
2002Start ZL Plastics USA
Start ZL Plastics USA
Start of business in USA with founding ZL USA
)
2012Production ZL Plastics USA
Production ZL Plastics USA
Start of production at ZL Plastics USA
)
2017Start ZELL PARTS
Start ZELL PARTS
Start of production of finished parts in new company Zell Parts
)
2021Plant at Experta (FR)
Plant at Experta (FR)
Take over of majority of Experta SAS in France
)
2023Location Niedernsill
Location Niedernsill
Start of new competence and logistic center in Niedernsill.
){kind=logo}
2024New Name
New Name
Zell-Metall is renamed Zell Materials.
From Zell am See into the World
)
The Start in Zell am See
1949–1955
The success story of Zell Materials begins in 1949, when Dr. Rudolf Klepsch Sr., a displaced Sudeten German from Aussig (today in the Czech Republic), sought a new beginning in Zell am See after the Second World War. He leased the Brandstätter bronze foundry and founded Zell-Metall, whose original core business was the production of semi-finished bronze products.
As early as 1951, during a trip to the Netherlands, Dr. Klepsch recognized the potential of a new material: polyamide. Impressed by the properties of this engineering plastic, Zell-Metall began extruding polyamide round rods in 1955 – becoming the second company in continental Europe to do so.
)
Growth, Innovation and Relocation
1955–1989
In 1960, the company headquarters were relocated to Kaprun, where the heart of the business remains to this day. The product portfolio was continuously expanded: POM was added in 1964, PET followed in 1974, and PEEK in 2001.
The original bronze business gradually lost importance and was discontinued in 1986. The injection molding division was also spun off in 1989 – giving rise to the sister company Seletec, which is now based in Uttendorf.
)
Globalization and Specialization
since 1960
Sustainable growth led to the establishment of numerous international subsidiaries:
1960: Tecnoplast in southern Italy – second production site
2012: Founding of ZL Engineering Plastics in Lenexa, Kansas (USA)
Additional locations in Lyon, Zagreb, and Los Angeles
The Klepsch Group, to which Zell Materials belongs, processes over 57,000 tons of raw material annually, employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, and generates an annual turnover of over 350 million euros.
)
Zell-Metall becomes Zell Materials
2024
In 2024, an important strategic step was taken: the renaming of Zell-Metall to Zell Materials. This change of name reflects the new strategic direction – more international, more innovative, and closer to the market.
)
Technology Leader with Clear Values
today
Today, Zell Materials stands for:
High-quality plastic semi-finished products under the ZELLAMID® brand
A globally active group of companies providing high-quality solutions in engineering plastics and high-performance plastics
A corporate culture built on values, trusted partnerships, and quality
Our Product World Over Time
75 years innovation at glance
)
Erstes Prospekt Bronze
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Erstes Prospekt Bronze