Extension of Hanover plant, Leunisman GmbH

The driverless transport system (DTS) for handling goods at the Hanover site is a first in the folding box industry.

Installation of the first rlc laser gloss inline technology in a printing unit based on Cast & Cure technology.

Opening of the “Bestehornpark” at the former HCB plant site in Aschersleben, Germany – a modern education center with a progressive teaching approach aimed at stimulating personal creativity.

Introduction of the lean production system with support from Porsche Consulting.

Launch of the brandpack packaging design center of excellence.

Development of the rlc I packaging group umbrella brand as a future marketing framework for the company.

Installation of the first inline cold foil transfer technology in printing machinery.

Integration of BSC Drukarnia (Poznan, Poland) into the rlc I packaging group. 

The first flexo/offset combination used in the folding box sector for inline production.

Foundation of Pharmacenter GmbH for the production of medicine packaging and package inserts.

Membership in COPACO, Germany’s oldest association of medium-sized companies.

Foundation of the Global Packaging Alliance (GPA) for global customers, including Gillette.

4 July 1990
Foundation of Colorpack in Berlin-Köpenick with the former GDR retail cooperative.

Foundation of Druckpack cigarette production facility in Berlin. 

Acquisition of Stadler & Co. in Berlin to serve key customers in the metropolitan area. 

Significant support for the development and introduction of quality assurance in Germany’s printing industry. “Demand for exceptionally high standards instead of outstanding achievements.” 

Appeals from various customers support reconstruction investments in Hanover. Paper and cardboard supplied by well-known major companies leads to rapid increases in production. Several former business relations are renewed. 

Expropriation of HCB, Aschersleben by the Soviet military administration. 

The Rob. Leunis & Chapman plant site in Hanover is mostly destroyed (90%) in air raids. Production operations are moved to Aschersleben.

A celebration marks the 75th anniversary of the HCB in Aschersleben. Paper and cardboard consumption has reached nearly 10,000 tons. The company has 1,800 employees and 900 machines, including 35 offset presses and 40 book printing presses. Annual production of cigarette packs reaches 600 million units. More than one million baking powder and instant pudding sachets are produced at the plant daily.

HCB takes over Rob. Leunis & Chapman GmbH in Hanover.

Rob. Leunis & Chapman publish the strategy document "Die modern Reklame" (Modern Advertising) focusing on the emerging role of media advertising.

Rob. Leunis & Chapman publish the strategy document "Verkaufskraft" (Selling Power) focusing on the dissemination and development of new, small-format packaging.

Installation of the first Frankenthaler offset press at HCB in Aschersleben.

Rob. Leunis & Chapman in Hanover receives the first order from Bahlsen for one million Leibniz packages. 

Introduction of lithographs and stone printing at HCB, Aschersleben.

Heinrich Christian Bestehorn invents the one-piece folded telegram designed to conceal the content without an envelope. He is commissioned by Postmaster General Stephan to develop an envelope with two seals to replace the envelope requiring five seals for money consignments.

Heinrich Christian Bestehorn purchases the first industrial envelope machine at the Paris World Exposition and has 12 copies made. This marks the beginning of industrial mass production at HCB. 

The first high-speed book printing press is installed at HCB in Aschersleben. 

Robert Leunis and Henry Chapman establish the company Rob. Leunis & Chapman in Hanover.

Heinrich Christian Bestehorn founds the company HC Bestehorn in Aschersleben on April 1, 1861. The company begins with the production of bags and sachets.