1980: The first billion - Under the influence of the upturnSince the beginning of the Seventies an extraordinary growth in sales turnover has been recorded. In 1971 the sales turnover was DM 200 million. By the middle of the eighties this had virtually trebled and in 1989 broke through the DM1 billion barrier.
The success in sales reflected by the turnover figures was accompanied by rationalisation measures, increases in productivity and significant investment in order to provide a firm foundation to safeguard the rapid growth.
One of the actions taken was the creation of a new training workshop and the erection of a new building for the Development and Design department. 
In the same period STILL invested in projects for the better care of its customers. Thus, for example, modern dealerships were built in Bremen (1983) and Munich (1984), in order to be able to ensure even better service in these regions.
In addition to this the capacities have been extended, expanded and modernised. The Eighties saw the setting up of the first robot welding equipment and the installation of a powerful CAD system. One measure taken was the amalgamation of the two Hamburg production sites. In 1980 STILL integrated the Jarrestrasse branch factory, which had been set up 10 years earlier in the Hamburg district of Barmbek, into the main works in Berzeliusstrasse.
An essential share in these positive developments had also been provided by the growing business abroad. In 1984 export sales made up more than 50% of the total. By the take-over of French company SAXBY in 1989, and the foundation in the meantime of 12 foreign companies, STILL has been able to stabilise and expand this trend. |
