Many successful company stories at home and abroad began on a small scale, similar to TERDEX. Regardless of the industry, they all have one thing in common: there was always a resourceful person with the right business idea at the helm. Gerd Heikaus (+ 2018) was the initial spark and inventor who laid the foundations for TERDEX as it is today. He realized his visions, was a pioneer in the manufacture of film products and set an early example for environmental and climate protection with the recycling of regenerates. In order to put the company on a secure footing, he brought his brother Lothar Heikaus on board in the early stages, who was responsible for financial matters from then on and still provides important impetus in the management of TERDEX today.
But back to the year the company was founded: The sale of a family car secured the start-up capital for Heikaus Verpackungssysteme in the 1990s. Initially, stretch films were developed and rolled in the company’s own home as a sideline, working late shifts and night shifts to secure special goods.
The range of films grew and expansion was soon inevitable. The brothers initially acquired a hall in Malzhagen near Nümbrecht, which also quickly became too small. A few years later, the company moved to Wiehl-Marienhagen. When these premises were no longer sufficient, the company invested in the expansion and extension of large production and storage areas.
Precisely because Gerd Heikaus was actually a salesman and developer with heart and soul, he did everything he could to continuously improve the machines for packaging, and he acquired many patents.
The company was sold in 2002 and the company premises in Marienhagen were rented to the new proprietors. The Heikaus brothers then founded TERDEX in Gummersbach, which was initially a purely commercial company. Staff initially consisted of both managing directors and several office employees. At the same time, the brothers opened up a second office in Bulgaria, in the centre of Plovdiv. In order to start producing films once again, they acquired company premises and founded TRIDEX.
New opportunities also arose in Marienhagen: The leasing agreement was ended and both brothers decided to return back to their own premises. An environmentally conscious manufacturer of film products with modern extrusion and conversion lines emerged from that commercial company. Quality PE films are manufactured from new materials and recycled plastics.
Florian Heikaus took over as Managing Director on January 1, 2020. Lothar Heikaus is also still part of the management team. 50 dedicated employees in administration and production are the secret of the company’s success. In recent years, several million euros have been invested to further expand the site in Marienhagen. Further investments in new plant and machinery are planned both locally and in Bulgaria. The company employs 90 people there.
