1942 – The production of cardan shafts in Stadtilm has a long tradition.
In 1942, part of Rheinmetall Borsig AG’s production of cardan shafts is moved from the factory in Sömmerda to Stadtilm.
After the Second World War, a small group of factory employees resume operations. The remaining machines and the remaining material are used to repair agricultural equipment. At the end of 1945, the production of tapered roller bearings begins. Propshafts are also produced again on a small scale and contract hardening is carried out.
1947- 1958 – The Kardanakselfabrikken in Thuringia is founded as a state-owned company for the production of cardan shafts, tapered roller bearings and other vehicle parts. The factory is now operated under the name “IFA-Vereinigung Volkseigener Fahrzeugwerke Gelenkwellenwerk Thüringen Stadtilm”.
Drive axles for vehicle construction are developed and built.
In the autumn of 1948, the company begins to set up its own vocational training programme.
1959 – 1968 – During this period the company grows and expands its product range. In addition, double cardan shafts are being developed, such as used in the Wartburg passenger car. Production is mechanized and partially automated, and with the construction of new production halls, the production area has grown by 10,000 m².
1969 – 1979 – VEB Gelenkwellenwerk Stadtilm originally belonged to “IFA-Kombinat Barkas Werke” and later to “IFA-Kombinat Nutzkraftwagen”. The factory buildings are being expanded with additional production facilities. Cardan shafts are now developed and produced for use in trucks, buses and tractors.
1979 – 1989 – Development of long life PTO shafts. In 1983, VEB Gelenkwellenwerk Haldensleben became associated with GEWES.
1990 – 1993 – After the political and economic collapse of the GDR, the company is transferred to Treuhand. In the summer of 1990 Gelenkwellenwerk Stadtilm GmbH was founded. At the same time, efforts to restructure and privatize the company continue.
Due to the radical change in the market in the period after the reunification and the associated loss of a large part of the former customers, the company is facing major challenges.
In response to this, GEWES replaces many cardan shafts with new series. In 1993, the production of precision turned parts started and expanded the product range in a meaningful way, becoming one of the mainstays of the company.
Through great commitment and idealism, GEWES achieves a sustainable good position on the market.
1994 – 1998 – In the spring of 1994, the company was finally privatized by a takeover of the previous management and Martin Röder became the new managing partner.
GEWES intensively researches and develops high quality propshafts and drivelines, primarily for industrial, railway and marine applications.
In addition to major investments in the production facilities, GEWES already carried out a certification according to DIN 9001 in 1994 in order to fulfill its own requirements for the quality management system and to meet the increasing demands of the market.
1999 – 2003 – As an optimal addition to the product portfolio, GEWES further expands its product and service offering in 1999/2000 with the construction of a state-of-the-art production plant for plug-in and drive axles. In 2001 certification according to ISO/TS 16949 and environmental certification according to ISO 14001.
2004 – 2005 – Röder buys the remaining 20% of the shares; the transformation into an owner-managed family business is thus complete.
2006 – 2007 – In order to increase the efficiency of the worldwide distribution, a modern order center was built in 2006.
2008 – 2011 – At the end of 2008, another factory hall for the production of large cardan shaft series can be inaugurated. The production area in the halls is now approx. 56,000 m².
2012 – 2013 – The company’s 65th anniversary is celebrated in May 2012 with the current employees and many former employees.
In October 2012, Mr. Röder entered into a long-term agreement on the business transfer with his daughters Daniela Röder-Krasser and Dr. Juliane Roeder.
2014 – In March 2014, the anniversary of 20 years of privatization was celebrated
Gelenkwellenwerk Stadtilm GmbH – GEWES has been a manufacturer of high-quality propeller shafts and propeller shaft assemblies with roller bearings and a large vertical production program since 1947.
Powerful drive technology – torques of up to 600,000 Nm
GEWES cardan shafts transmit torques of up to 600,000 Nm reliably and with low maintenance in many industrial applications.
Our products for the transfer of mechanical drive power are used, for example in steel and paper factories, crane installations, conveyor technology and pumping stations. They work in rail and marine applications and of course in vehicles as well as agricultural machinery.
Where the transmission of torque during angular displacement is a challenge, GEWES cardan shafts are an optimal solution in your drive train.
Know How – tradition and innovation
We develop with the extensive experience of a traditional company, manufacture and test our cardan shafts with one hundred percent German technology and with equipment that belongs to the most modern production facilities for cardan shafts in the world.
Long service life and high load capacity characterize the high quality of our products. As a result, GEWES has e.g. achieved a market leading position in the marine area for powertrains of up to 5000 kW.
High production competence – everything from one source, made in Germany
Our products are manufactured in-house at our factory in Germany.
As a long-standing and experienced manufacturer of double cardan shafts and a specialist in drive shafts and precision turned parts, we are also an important partner both within the commercial vehicle and passenger car sectors and for manufacturers of agricultural vehicles and self-propelled combines. We are happy to make our manufacturing expertise available to you for services outside of our standard manufacturing program.
Flexible and short delivery times
We are proud to be able to live up to our own claim to be one of the best in terms of delivery times while maintaining a high degree of flexibility. Our highly qualified employees with their well-founded know-how and the short delivery times for the components due to the in-house production form the basis for this. In addition to the excellent quality of our products, our high delivery reliability also contributes to our customers’ high satisfaction with our products.
Family business – reliable partner
As a family business, our company is long-term oriented towards the future and is a reliable partner for our customers.