Innovation, quality and reliability characterize HALBE Rahmen
Kirchen, Aug. 4, 2021 - Many things have changed since the founding of HALBE Rahmen GmbH, but what has remained the same is the striving for perfect framework conditions. Over the course of its history, HALBE has repeatedly set new quality standards and driven forward technical advances. In its anniversary year, HALBE not only looks back on the beginnings and founding days of the company, but still has its sights set on the future, beyond the milestones it has been able to set on its way to becoming one of the world's leading quality manufacturers of picture frames. Value-oriented actions, loyal cooperation with employees, suppliers and customers as well as sustainable use of resources characterize the company. Whether you talk to photographers, gallery owners or art lovers - they are often true HALBE fans, just like Egon Caspari.
HALBE - tradition and innovation
For three quarters of a century, the unrestricted attention of the HALBE family has belonged to the perfect framework - regardless of whether a high-quality processed frame, perfect conservational frame properties or the highest possible protection or security systems are required. What began in a small workshop now takes place in a 3,500 square metre ultra-modern production hall with almost 60 employees. Every year, a large number of individual picture frames are produced for museums, public institutions, industrial companies as well as for photographers and private households.
HALBE - from books to picture frames
Company founder Hubert HALBE actually wanted to open a bookshop. But that was not so easy in 1946. As he had not yet completed his apprenticeship, he was only granted a special permit for a so-called book sales outlet. On the advice of the local pastor, Hubert expanded his assortment and offered holy pictures, which were very popular at the time. Soon customers were also asking for suitable frames for the pictures. Suitable wooden mouldings were scarce, but Hubert had a talent for improvisation and procured the valuable material. The kitchen at home became the workshop and the whole family became hard-working helpers. The foundation stone was laid and the company name quickly found. The surname HALBE and frame (in German: Rahmen) became: HALBE RAHMEN.
In the 60s Hubert implemented the idea of framing pictures from the front for the first time. At the beginning of the 70s, a two-part frame made of plastic profiles followed - but something decisive was missing.
Magnetic frame principle - the trend-setting development
In 1973, his son Heinrich was sitting at a drawing board doing homework for technical college. The paper was held in place by magnets on the drawing board. Heinrich came up with the brilliant idea that has shaped the company's history to this day. Together with his father, he developed the first magnetic frame made of aluminium and applied for a patent. In 1978, HALBE even presented the magnetic frame principle to a wide audience for the first time at photokina, the leading international trade fair for everything to do with pictures, in Cologne.
Egon Caspari - a true HALBE fan for more than four decades
At the beginning of the 1970s, the then amateur photographer Egon Caspari was still exhibiting his pictures in frames he had made himself from wood and clay, until he saw the HALBE stand at photokina. He was immediately impressed by the concept, which allows frames to be fitted from the front. "The boss, Hubert Halbe, and I immediately took a liking to each other. In a nice conversation he even invited me little photographer to Kirchen. A close friendship developed with his son Heinrich and his wife Giesela. At our meetings we exchanged our experiences and ideas. I watched David grow up and greatly appreciate his meticulousness as well as his expertise," says Egon Caspari, who has since then exclusively presented his photographs, collages and objects in HALBE frames.
He has passed on his passion for photography and high-quality frames to his two sons, with whom he had planned a joint exhibition in Waldbröl for this year.
HALBE stands for passion
The passion of the entire HALBE team is to turn the brief moment of opening and closing a frame into an intuitive, surprising experience. Every art lover should feel joy and fun when framing their pictures - even children. When optimizing and expanding their product range, they like to exchange ideas with friendly customers, such as Egon Caspari, and let their experience flow into the process, which is invaluable.
HALBE - a promise of quality
The aluminium and wooden frames from HALBE are known worldwide for their high quality - and that is no coincidence. Quality assurance begins with the selection of raw materials and close cooperation with suppliers. For example, the profiles and mouldings, the hard foam board for the frame's back and the magnetic tapes were developed, tested and checked especially for HALBE together with long-standing suppliers. Also many machines in the ultra-modern production are own or further developments, which are not available elsewhere. The development department has an idea for every problem.
Multiple awards for innovative strength
The tireless pioneering spirit and the resulting power of implementation of the team is not only appreciated by connoisseurs, but has been awarded several times by experts with the Red Dot, German Design Award, German Brand Award, Fespa Gold Award, etc. In addition to the high-quality processing of the best materials, design, functionality and durability are at the forefront of all frames from HALBE.
Sustainability management - an integral part of HALBE
Sustainable thinking and acting has not only been anchored in all areas of the company since today. The resource-saving handling of raw materials runs through the entire production process and ends with shipping. The optimal use of raw materials is close to the heart of every single employee, which is why, for example, aluminium, steel and glass scraps are remelted, paper scraps are used as padding material for shipping, and invoices are only sent by e-mail. But the most sustainable thing is the frames themselves - which, thanks to their simple design, will still bring joy after many years.
"How long the frames will last, we don't know. But one thing I can tell you for sure is that the first aluminium magnetic frames from 1976 are still doing their job today at our company headquarters - even for customers like Egon Caspari and in museums. Over the decades, of course, we have changed the pictures more often. Due to their timeless design and integrity, we will continue to present pictures in the frames for a long time to come," says David Halbe, managing director of HALBE Rahmen GmbH in the third generation. "We all bear the responsibility for a future worth living and are firmly convinced that sustainability and economic viability are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, the future viability and economic success of a company depends to a large extent on whether it is sustainably positioned.
HALBE is more than just a workplace
Over 75 years of experience and well-trained employees are the foundation of our success. Targeted personnel development, an extensive training and further education programme form a working environment at HALBE in which the ideas, passion and strength of each individual grow. On the homepage, one can not only follow the path from the order to the shipment of a picture frame, but also get to know the employees and their stories.
"The principles of good and transparent corporate governance are an integral part of our corporate culture. There are hardly any hierarchies in our relatively small company. Appreciation, enthusiasm, commitment and team spirit are essential for us to be successful," says David Halbe. "The low turnover rate, as well as the long tenure of many employees, proves that our people are our greatest asset - now and in the future."
Impressive growth history - also planned for the future
The foundation for further growth has been laid. That the Internet would one day become so important was recognized early on by HALBE. Today, customers can use a 3D configurator to order their individual picture frame and receive it in the mail within a few days. "Our goal continues to be a sustainable increase in sales and earnings. In order to achieve this goal, we will continue to invest continuously in optimizing and expanding our production," explains David Halbe.
In 1946, Hubert HALBE had not yet completed his apprenticeship as a bookseller, so he was only granted an exemption for a so-called book sales outlet.
On the advice of the pastor, Hubert expanded his assortment to include holy pictures. Soon customers were asking for suitable frames. The kitchen at home became the workshop and the whole family became hard-working helpers.
In 1973 Heinrich HALBE came up with the brilliant idea that has shaped the company's history to this day: the magnetic frame principle. It enables the framing of pictures from the front.
In 1978, HALBE presented the magnetic frame principle to a wide audience for the first time at photokina, the leading international trade fair for everything to do with pictures, in Cologne.
The renowned photographer Egon Caspari maintains very close friendly contact with Heinrich and David Halbe.
Egon Caspari presents his photographs, collages and objects exclusively in HALBE frames. Over the decades he has collected many memorabilia.
"The low turnover rate as well as the many years of service of many employees proves that our employees are our greatest asset - now and in the future", says David Halbe.
What began in a small workshop now takes place in a 3,500 square foot state-of-the-art production facility with nearly 60 employees.
We have compiled these and other high-resolution images for you in the following dropbox - image rights: @HALBEFrames
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5dsmjckp1dwk0p7/AADpann6SDHZQGcBFF8bzJs7a?dl=0
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