Company history of BBW Lasertechnik

Current managing director Hans Bürger is one of the three founders of BBW Lasertechnik GmbH. Bürger started his career working for Burkart Elektronenstrahltechnik GmbH in Vogtareuth near Rosenheim in Germany. Colleague and mechanical engineer Dr Johannes Weiser quickly recognised the great opportunities that the market offered for laser beam machining. They used a self-designed and constructed laser system to cut stents – medical implants for blood vessels – for their very first customer. That customer was so convinced that with better laser technology, the team would be capable of even greater performance, he agreed to further investment in the company. And so in 1997, Hans Bürger founded BBW Lasertechnik GmbH together with Dr Johannes Weiser and Arno Burkart. The first company headquarters was a vacant room in the production building of the old company – not exactly one of those legendary companies with humble beginnings in a garage, but still just a modest 40 m² in size.

As orders increased, BBW Lasertechnik moved to larger premises in Inzenham near Prutting, Germany, in 1999. The two buildings, in a picturesque setting near Lake Simssee, had been used for agriculture before housing BBW Lasertechnik. Customers and employees still recall meetings and breaks on the beautiful terrace, complete with lake views and alpine panoramas.

In 2001, the premises grew to include a construction department and additional area for mechanical processing. BBW Lasertechnik continued its path of growth. It was no longer just stents that contributed to the company’s success, as new orders for laser beam machining came in. Meanwhile, clientele grew to include major international customers. In order to meet the growing demand, more powerful lasers, laser technology and additional employees soon became necessary.

After some time, the company also outgrew its production facilities in Inzenham. At a time when the word “crisis” was on everyone’s mind, BBW Lasertechnik decided to invest in the future and in 2008 set up state-of-the-art premises in the Prutting business park. 2,800 m² of space provided enough room for production and administration of future projects.

In 2012 a third hall and offices were added to accommodate growing production volumes. The premises now covered 4,500 m².

2015 was a decisive year for BBW Lasertechnik as it passed completely into the hands of the Bürger family. Dr Weiser left BBW Lasertechnik and Johann Bürger’s son Andreas became the company’s managing partner. The young industrial engineer had gained experience working at the company as a teenager and during his studies. Andreas completed his Master’s degree at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg.

Due once again to a lack of space, a fourth building was constructed in 2018. The new facilities include additional machinery, a state-of-the-art high-bay laser cutting system and a new apprentice workshop. Post expansion, the work area now comprises around 8,000 m².

In 2022 BBW Lasertechnik celebrates its 25th company anniversary. The family business now has 200 employees, 45 laser-based systems and a production area of 10,000 m², divided into 3 plants in the Prutting industrial park.

BBW Lasertechnik is honoured with the BAYERNS BEST 50 award by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy on 24 July 2023. This makes the family-owned company one of the 50 fastest-growing medium-sized companies in the whole of Bavaria.