SONOTRONIC GmbH
Becker-Goering-Str. 17-25
76307 Karlsbad, Germany
E-Mail: sales@sonotronic.de

Mon to Thu 8 am – 5 pm
Friday 8 am – 3 pm
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SONOTRONIC GmbH

Tradition. Progress. Future. Made in Germany.

With an idea, the will and a lot of drive, a one-man garage company grew into one of the world's leading companies in the field of joining plastics with ultrasonic in 1974.

Linked with success - we follow this guiding principle by constantly developing our technologies and products to produce optimal connections of plastics. Linked with success is also our company history: continuous growth ensures that we expand our customer base and at the same time are an important employer in the community of Karlsbad and the surrounding area.
 

History

Gruendung der SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH am Standort Karlsbad-Langensteinbach

Dieter Nagel founded SONOTRONIC on April 1, 1974, which was no April Fool's joke! Because even today, Dieter Nagel's guiding principle is "Ultrasonic is when you laugh anyway". At that time, development and production took place at the Karlsbad-Langensteinbach site in the converted agricultural building of his parents.

Already in the first year, the young company sold three ultrasonic standard machines. One delivery was made to the company EHEIM GmbH & Co. KG in Deizisau, another 20 kHz ultrasonic standard machine went to Mannheim to the plastic injection molding manufacturer Miki-Plastik Oskar Milz KG.

Erste Ultraschall-Standardmaschine

The evolution of the CI began with the first company logo, which has changed three times up to the current design. At the beginning, the letters "O" symbolized two plastic parts. During the re-design, a sine wave was added as a design element. Today, the wave is still an integral part of the company logo and stands for ultrasonic oscillation.

Erstes SONOTRONIC Logo 1975

After entering the field of special machine construction, the first ultrasonic special machine was put into operation in 1989. The machine welded luggage nets for car seats with 14 welding units. It was designed by Dieter Nagel and manufactured together with Ingo Nagel. Larger machines for bumpers, as shown in the picture, were produced from 1991.

Erste Ultraschall-Sondermaschine der SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH

Ultrasonic technology for special machine construction in the automotive sector was gaining ground, and the need for more production space was growing in line with the increasing number of orders. Without further ado, an empty production hall with around 1,000 square meters was found in Straubenhardt. Here, among other things, the first special machines for bumpers were developed and produced.

Umzug der SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH nach Straubenhardt-Conweiler

Project inquiries continued to increase and customers demanded special machines with well over 100 welding units. Dieter and Ingo Nagel made the decision at that time that has contributed to the success of the company today "If, then we do it right." In only one year, the new building in the industrial area in Karlsbad-Ittersbach could be planned and realized.

Neubau im Industriegebiet in Karlsbad-Ittersbach im Jahre 1994.
Ingo Nagel ist als alleiniger Geschäftsführer der SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH auch den Niederlassungen in Spanien, USA und China überstellt.

Company founder Dieter Nagel transfers the management of the company to his son Ingo Nagel. He himself remains loyal to the company as an advisory pillar and contributes his experience and ideas to the technology development. As sole managing director of SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH, Ingo Nagel is also responsible for the subsidiaries in Spain, USA and China.

Demand in the Spanish automotive market led to the founding of SONOTRONIC, S.L. The local managing director is Carlos Gomez. He previously worked for Magna-Systems and got to know the Nagel family during an order, a heating element welding machine for sun visors. Mr. Gomez was a frequent visitor to Karlsbad during the project run.

Ingo Nagel, Geschäftsführer der SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH und Carlos Comez, Geschäftsführer der SONOTRONIC Nagel, S.L. in Spanien, nahe Barcelona

With SONOTRONIC, Inc. the second subsidiary was founded and thus another milestone in globalization was set. The managing director, Michael Cherdron, is a native Palatine and lives and works in Michigan, the center of the US automotive industry. The manufacturing, commercial and office space covers around 4,125 square meters.

SONOTRONIC Niederlassung in den USA: SONOTRONIC, Inc. in Wixom MIchigan

In our application engineering laboratories, we develop new applications for the use of ultrasonic and other technologies. Existing processes are continuously improved, and new solutions are sought. In addition, we carry out customer-specific sample work for you and advise you until the ideal result is achieved.

Erweiterung der Anwendungstechnik und dem Technikum am Standort Karlsbad

The demand for SONOTRONIC's innovative high-performance ultrasonic technology made it possible to expand the offices and production area to 9,000 sqm. The connection of the new buildings to the existing structures enabled short distances and efficient working. With 170 employees, new standards could now be set.

Standorterweiterung auf 9.000 Quadratmeter am Standort Karlsbad-Ittersbach.

All sonotrodes used in our ultrasonic welding machines are based on our many years of experience and expertise in the field of plastics processing. The largest sonotrode had a diameter of 250 mm. It welded insulating dishes used in hospitals.

Der eigene SONOTRONIC Werkzeugbau fertigt Sonotroden in Stahl oder Titan, angepasst an des Bauteil

1,600 successfully produced ultrasonic special machines for the automotive industry make us the world market leader in this sector. We respond to the increasing requirements of different plastic materials with hybrid solutions and combine ultrasonic with infrared, hot air or hot plate.

1600 erfolgreich realisierte Ultraschall-Sondermaschinen für die Automobilindustrie weltweite.

The ECO iSONIC ultrasonic welding machine brings new dimensions to standard machine construction for the plastics industry. It ranks among the pneumatic welding machines as an intelligent universal genius and ensures a very high level of safety as well as quality in production and already pays for itself in a short time.

We look back on 40 successful years. In order to continue to react flexibly to market requirements and to be able to supply first-class ultrasonic machines, the production and office area was expanded by 3,500 sqm to 12,500 sqm. In the first step, the new tool production was created here: a 5-axis machining center with robot automation.

SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH erweitert Hauptsitz in Karlsbad-Ittersbach um 3.500 m² Produktions- und Bürofläche

For the ultrasonic welding of small and medium-sized parts, SONOTRONIC developed the ECOFLEX series - a compact welding cabin that can be customized. The concept is based on a standardized basic machine. Only the design of the individual workroom is required.

ECOFLEX iSONIC Schweißkabine mit wechselbarer Werkzeugkassette

With the NC iSONIC, a new ultrasonic series welding machine with servo drive and future-oriented automation concept has been developed for the increasing market requirements. The advantage is the modular design of the machine. With additional units, the machine can be expanded cost-effectively and elegantly at the same time and adapted to a wide variety of applications.

NC iSONIC Ultraschall-Standardmaschine mit Servoantrieb

The addition of further office space above the production center provides room for a large and modern training room. In addition, we are also pleased about the move of our ULTRAWAVES colleagues from Hamburg, who are now represented at the Karlsbad site with the innovative high-performance ultrasonic systems for water and environmental technology.  

Umzug ULTRAWAVES an den Standort Karlsbad zur Vermarktung von innovativen Hochleistungs-Ultraschallsysteme für die Wasser- und  Umwelttechnik

As an internationally operating company, SONOTRONIC's goal is to provide reliable, innovative and safe products, technologies and services in the field of plastic joining and separation. We can only achieve this if we all act fairly, ethically and respectfully in our business activities at all times.

Dieser Verhaltenscodex gilt ohne Ausnahme für jeden, der für SONOTRONIC tätig ist – einschließlich der Geschäftsführung, der Führungskräfte, Mitarbeiter, Aushilfen, Vertreter und Vertragsarbeiter.

Together with the long-time partner company Sanden Electronic Equipment Ltd. the subsidiary SONOTRONIC HK Ltd. is founded. With this strategic step SONOTRONIC has direct access to the production site of Sanden in China. The administrative headquarters is in Hong Kong, the production site in Huizhou.

Eröffnung Tochterfirma SONOTRONIC HK Ltd. in Kowloon, einem Stadtteil und wichtiger Geschäftsbezirk von Hongkong.

For the eighth time in a row, the processes of SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH were put to the test according to DIN EN ISO 9001 quality management and DIN 14001 environmental management and successfully confirmed by DEKRA. With the passed re-certification we prove that we meet the high demands of our customers permanently and sustainably.

Die Prozesse der SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH wurden nach DIN EN ISO 9001 Qualitätsmanagement (QM) und DIN 14001 Umweltmanagement (UM) auf den Prüfstand gestellt und von der DEKRA erfolgreich bestätigt.

The location of our USA branch was relocated within the city of Wixom by a few streets at the end of May 2021. This has increased the production, usable and office space to 4,125 square meters. Michael Cherdron, Vice President, is pleased "With the new space we are more flexible and have more room to optimize our processes and expand."

2021 Erweiterung der Niederlassung USA (Wixom)

SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH develops components, standard and special machines for ultrasonic-based plastics processing with high quality awareness, with the aim of helping to shape the industry in a more sustainable way. To expand its climate protection measures, SONOTRONIC follows a modern sustainability strategy that optimizes processes and conserves resources and the environment.

Klimaneutrales Unternehmen

The website www.greensonics.de provides detailed information on why SONOTRONIC is climate neutral and how the company is further committed to sustainability and climate protection. The current and planned actions, as well as results, are documented on the new website and make the path to climate neutrality comprehensible and transparent.

Neue Informationsseite zum Thema Nachhaltigkeit bei SONOTRONIC

SONOTRONIC Nagel GmbH was awarded a silver medal in recognition of its EcoVadis rating. This process evaluates the company's performance in the areas of environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement based on documented evidence.

SONOTRONIC Ecovadis Silbermedaille
Neue Ära für SONOTRONIC: Hochrangige Geschäftsleitung der SGG-Gruppe übernimmt nach erfolgreicher Sanierung

Since August 1st, 2023, the company has become part of the Dürkopp Adler Group, which in turn belongs to the internationally operating Shang Gong Group (SGG). Now, under the leadership of CEO Dr. Frank Meyer, it operates as SONOTRONIC GmbH. With its headquarters in Karlsbad and subsidiaries in China, the USA and Spain, the corporate group remains intact. This alliance presents new opportunities to expand the portfolio and strengthen the position in the global market. Another focus is the enhancement of automation in industrial sewing and welding technology. By combining expertise and resources, technologies and products can be developed more effectively.

25500

 sqm

Production area worldwide
60

  %

Export ratio
12
Representations worldwide
200
Employees
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sonotronic-certificaT-DEKRA-9001_ger_tc_p