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KAISER GROUP
Bedrijfsgeschiedenis ATTEMA
Opgericht in 1966 in de Broeresteeg te Gorinchem door Gijs Attema.
Verandering van locatie
Verhuizing van de Broerensteeg naar de Schelluinsestraat.
Extrusie
Opening van de extrusie-afdeling in 1978.
Bedrijfsovername
Overname van IPW - België door ATTEMA in 1978.
Nieuwe spuitgieterij
Opening van de nieuwe spuitgieterij in 1988.
Extrusie-afdeling
Opening van de vernieuwde extrusie-afdeling in 1991.
Opening van het magazijn
Opening van het nieuwe magazijn gereed product in december 1998.
Het nieuwe kantoor
Opening van het nieuwe kantoor aan de Schelluinsestraat 1 in maart 1999.

Company History

ATTEMA: Innovation from Gorinchem since 1966 

The history of ATTEMA begins in everyday installation practice. Through his daily work as an electrical installer, Gijs Attema saw where existing products fell short and where things could be done more intelligently, quickly and efficiently.

That practical mindset still forms the foundation of ATTEMA today. What began with innovative ideas in Gorinchem grew into an organisation that supports installers with well-designed electrical installation solutions.

 Read our history and discover how ATTEMA has developed over the years:
Origins 1966 - 1975 1976 - 1985 1986 - 1995 1996 - 2005 2006 - 2015 2016 - 2025 2026...
Origins
1966 - 1975
1976 - 1985
1986 - 1995
1996 - 2005
2006 - 2015
2016 - 2025
2026...
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Origins

Even before the official establishment of ATTEMA B.V., the foundations of the company were already being laid in everyday installation practice. Gijs Attema recognised where existing products and working methods fell short and began experimenting with new materials and smarter solutions. His experience as an installer, combined with his drive to innovate, formed the starting point for what would later become ATTEMA.

  • Gijs Attema: installer and innovator

    The founder of ATTEMA

    Gijs Attema was an installer, entrepreneur and innovator. He was never satisfied with solutions that had remained unchanged for years, but constantly looked for ways to improve them. His hands-on experience meant he understood exactly which challenges installers faced in practice. This inspired him to develop products that were easier to install, more practical to use and better suited to everyday installation work. His curiosity, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundations for ATTEMA. These qualities can still be recognised in the way we develop our products today: close to the installer, with a focus on safety, convenience and efficiency.

  • Gijs Attema starts his own installation company

    1959

    Gijs Attema was frustrated by the lack of progress within the electrical installation industry. Installers were innovating too little. So in 1959, he started his own installation company in the Broeresteeg in Gorinchem. Determined and with a fresh perspective on technology. While his fellow professionals continued to rely on traditional Bakelite flush-mounted boxes, Gijs began experimenting with plastic. He saw opportunities and acted on them. His innovative approach laid the foundations for, among other things, the round thermoplastic flush-mounted box. With his energetic approach and innovative ideas, he quickly began to stand out - and the ATTEMA story began.

1966 - 1976

  • ATTEMA Kunststoffenindustrie B.V. established in Gorinchem

    1966

    Encouraged by the success of the new generation of flush-mounted boxes, B.V. Kunststoffenindustrie ATTEMA was officially established on 31 March 1966 at Schelluinsestraat 68 in Gorinchem. Many other practical plastic products and semi-finished products soon followed. With innovative plastic solutions, the company immediately set a new standard for the electrical installation market.

  • Carl Kämper appointed as new Managing Director

    1971

    On 1 January 1971, Carl Kämper is appointed Managing Director. Founder Gijs Attema steps down at his own request to focus entirely on research and product development. He remains involved with ATTEMA as an adviser.

1976 - 1985

  • Opening of the in-house extrusion facility

    1978

    With its own extrusion facility, ATTEMA significantly expands its production capabilities. This enables the company to respond even more effectively to specific market requirements.

  • Acquisition of Ideal Plastic Works

    1978

    ATTEMA becomes the sole owner of Belgian injection-moulding company Ideal Plastic Works in Erembodegem. The acquisition strengthens both the production capacity and international position of ATTEMA. The company continues its activities under the name ATTEMA Belgium.

  • Jan Romijn appointed Managing Director

    1979

    In 1979, Jan Romijn is appointed Managing Director of ATTEMA. Under his leadership, the company continues to grow and further develops its production, organisation and market position. He remains at the helm until 2004, guiding the development of ATTEMA for 25 years.

1986 - 1995

  • ATTEMA introduces its first distribution board system

    1988

    ATTEMA introduces its first distribution board system: Click-mate, the predecessor of today’s Click-mate NXT. This marks an important step in the development of intelligent and installer-friendly distribution boards.

  • Opening of the new injection-moulding facility

    1988

    The new injection-moulding facility enables further expansion and modernisation. ATTEMA can now manufacture more efficiently and continue to expand its product range.

  • First in the Netherlands to achieve ISO 9001 certification

    1989

    ATTEMA becomes the first plastics processing company in the Netherlands to receive the international ISO 9001 quality certificate from Lloyd’s. This confirms that quality is central to every stage of the production process.

  • Click-mate wins innovation award

    1989

    One year after its introduction, ATTEMA receives an innovation award from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs for Click-mate. The award recognises both the innovative character of the product and its practical added value for installers.

  • Opening of the renewed extrusion facilty

    1991

    The extrusion facility is modernised and expanded with advanced production technologies. This allows ATTEMA to increase its capacity, flexibility and product quality.

1996 - 2005

  • Opening of the new warehouse

    1998

    To support the growth of the product range and logistics activities, ATTEMA opens a new warehouse. This allows products to be stored and delivered more quickly and efficiently.

  • Opening of the new office

    1999

    ATTEMA opens a new head office at Schelluinsestraat 1. The modern premises provide a strong foundation for further growth in the 21st century.

  • George Damen becomes Managing Director

    2004

    On 1 November 2004, George Damen is appointed Managing Director of ATTEMA. He too knows the company inside out. He joined ATTEMA as a sales representative in 1972 and progressed step by step within the organisation. As a true sales professional, George remained close to both customers and installers. He believed in short lines of communication, clear agreements and listening carefully to everyday practice. This customer-focused approach went hand in hand with product development and international growth.
    Under his leadership, ATTEMA continued to focus on innovation, efficient business operations and further expansion into the European market. At the same time, the company maintained its social character and strong connection with Gorinchem.

2006 - 2015

  • Introduction of pluggable installation

    2008

    ATTEMA introduces a complete concept for pluggable installation in residential construction. This allows installers to work faster and more efficiently, with a reduced risk of installation errors.

  • Ton de Hoog becomes CEO

    2009

    In 2009, Ton de Hoog becomes CEO of ATTEMA. He is certainly no newcomer: he has already been part of the company since 1979. With thirty years of experience within ATTEMA, he knows the organisation, the market and installation practice inside out. From this strong foundation, he helps guide the company’s continued development and growth.

  • Start of Connectivity solutions

    2009

    ATTEMA expands its activities with solutions for telecommunications and fibre-optic infrastructure. This creates a new field of application alongside the traditional electrical installation market.

2016 - 2025

  • Member of KAISER GROUP

    2017

    ATTEMA becomes part of the KAISER GROUP. The collaboration strengthens its international position and creates new opportunities for knowledge sharing and joint product development. The photo shows, from left to right, Ulrich Kaiser, Theo Harzing, Ton de Hoog and Burkard Kaiser during the official presentation and introduction following the acquisition.

  • Introduction of the Click-mate NXT

    2019

    With Click-mate NXT, ATTEMA introduces a new generation of modular distribution boards. The system is developed for modern and future-ready residential electrical installations.

2026...

  • ATTEMA celebrates its 60th anniversary

    2026

    ATTEMA celebrates 60 years of innovation, craftsmanship and collaboration. From Gorinchem, the company continues to develop innovative ideas for a changing world.

  • ATTEMA wins the VSK Award

    2026

    ATTEMA’s Universal Mounting Plate for Detection Systems (UMD) wins the VSK+E Award 2026 in the Installer Products category. The professional jury praises the UMD as a well-designed solution developed directly from the everyday working practices of installers. The mounting plate prevents damaged ceiling tiles and makeshift installation methods. Measuring and marking are no longer necessary, and installation is quick, neat and reliable using just two screws. The award once again demonstrates how ATTEMA translates practical installation challenges into intelligent product solutions.

  • KAISER GROUP

    The KAISER, AGRO, HELIA and ATTEMA brands provide installation solutions that meet the needs of today’s market and support you effectively in your daily work. Through continuous, forward-looking product innovation, these four strong brands ensure that you have access to the latest technologies - today and tomorrow.
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