A STORY THAT STIRS UP DUST
When engineers Klaus Stein and Heinz Kaulig gave up their secure positions with career prospects over 45 years ago to set up a vacuum cleaner factory, they were met with pity, often ridicule, but also envy and resentment. Apart from their wives, Heide and Edith, and a few loyal supporters, few believed in the project. After all, there were enough established manufacturers on the market and the time for setting up new production facilities in Germany seemed to be over.
It was only when it became clear that their intentions were serious, reinforced by decades of experience in the industry, that some entrepreneurial business people took notice and helped to pave the way. Either because they recognised business potential or because they admired the idealism reminiscent of their own founding years. These far-sighted people were not mistaken. Stein & Co. GmbH went its own way.
1970
17.01.1978: Stein & Co. GmbH become registered. The trademark SEBO, short for ”SEmigewerbliche BOdenpflege” (semi-commercial floor care), is created. The production of the new upright vacuum cleaner SEBO 350 for commercial use starts.
18.07.1978: Vacuum cleaner No. 100 is produced in the first manufacturing plant, a previous weaving mill in Velbert. Distribution in Germany and Europe begins.
1979: Windsor Industries become our partner, as sales start in the U.S.
1980
1980: The company moves to a larger location and the product range is extended. The 25,000th vacuum cleaner is built.
1981: By 1981, SEBO machines are distributed worldwide, also as Private Label products.
1983: By 1983, SEBO distribution companies have been founded in Austria, the United Kingdom, South Africa and France.
1984: Stein & Co. move into the newly built, modern company premises on Wülfrather Straße. The introduction of the duo carpet cleaning system and the electrostatic microfilter leads to our continued business success.
1985: The production output doubles compared to 1983 figures.
1986: Introduction of the newly designed SEBO 360 series with electronic brush control.
1988: SEBO Stein & Co. have been in business for 10 years.
1990
1991: We move into our new extended facilities with state-of-the-art storage and production technology.
Introduction of the sensational SEBO AUTOMATIC X series. SEBO UK starts distribution through electrical appliance retailers, Germany follows the same year.
08.08.1994: On the occasion of Klaus Stein’s birthday, unit No. 1,000,000 is manufactured.
1995: Presentation of the SEBO AIRBELT C cylinder vacuum cleaner for a new market segment. The retail distribution in Australia and Korea begins.
1997: Retail distribution in the U.S. begins. SEBO 370 series is presented to the commercial market.
1998: The company celebrates 20 years of SEBO Stein & Co. Thomas Stein joins the company’s management. The 1,500,000th unit is a SEBO AUTOMATIC X1.
1999: Foundation of SEBO America and start of SEBO retail distribution in the USA.
2000
2000: Unit No. 2,000,000 is a SEBO AIRBELT C3.1.
2002: Two new product series are presented: SEBO PROFESSIONAL G and SEBO AIRBELT K. Heinz Kaulig retires. Achim Liffers joins the company’s management.
2003: Customers, suppliers and employees celebrate 25 years of Stein & Co.
2004: A new generation of upright vacuum cleaner, called Windsor Flexamatic, is presented at the ISSA trade fair in New Orleans for the first time.
2005: Product launch of SEBO FELIX and SEBO DART. Assembling of the 3.000.0000th SEBO vacuum cleaner. Stein & Co. starts building operation for an annex building with a storage and production area.
2006: The new facility is to be brought into operation. The area of storage and production is redoubled, in order to avoid spatial restrictions and enable future growth.
2007: Product launch of the Ultra High Speed Suction Floor Polisher SEBO DISCO and SEBO DART 3.
2008: 30 years of SEBO Stein & Co. Sales and distribution to the consumer in the Russian Market began the previous year and sells in unexpected large numbers. Russia becomes 4th major player on the market for Stein & Co, next to USA, GB and Germany. The efficiency of the SEBO DISCO is increased, due to the launch of pads, which are equipped with diamond dust on a new patented plate – a unique combination, in order to maintain and easily polish surfaces without water or dust exposure.
2009: Award "Company of the Month November" of the Ja-zu-Deutschland- Initiative
2010
2010: Launch of the new cylinder SEBO AIRBELT D. The SEBO AIRBELT D replaces the SEBO AIRBELT C series.
2011: SEBO Stein & Co. brings out the PROFESSIONAL D. As a global leader in premium uprights for commercial use, SEBO extends its product range with the PROFESSIONAL D as a new innovative and high quality cylinder for professional use.
2012: Relaunch of the established twin-motored uprights. The SEBO BS 36/46 COMFORT and SEBO 370/470 COMFORT provide a new and improved power head,which makes these workhorses more convenient and easier to service.
2014: Launch of the new SEBO EVOLUTION professional upright. After 36 years of company history, it constitutes a succesful synergy between the single and twin-motored series.
2015: Launch of the new cylinder, the SEBO AIRBELT E.
2017: Relaunch of the proven AUTOMATIC X series with the SEBO AUTOMATIC X7/8.
2018: 40 years of Stein & Co are celebrated with customers, suppliers and employees.
2020
2022: World premiere of the SEBO SOFTCASE BP60 cordless vacuum cleaner at the ISSA Interclean in Amsterdam. SEBO is honoured with the PLUS X AWARD ‘Best Brand of the Year’.
2023: Launch of the SEBO PROFESSIONAL D9 as the first SEBO vacuum cleaner with electric carpet brush.
2024: SEBO receives the ‘Highest Customer Satisfaction’ award.
2025: Product launch of the SEBO BALANCE A1 as the first bagless cordless vacuum cleaner.