Grundig: Over 70 years of quality, innovation and style

Heinzelmann
5050W/3 D

YEARS 1945-1954

Grundig Intermedia GmbH started life as a traditional German company, founded in 1945, that achieved early fame with the Grundig radio.

After the Second World War Germany was in ruins and so were most radios but new production was tightly controlled by the allies. Radio dealer Max Grundig saw an opportunity and built the ‘Heinzelmann’, a Grundig radio without tubes that was not officially a radio.

The Heinzelmann was a runaway success and Grundig was soon able to open a factory. This was soon followed by the first Grundig TV, developed ready for the first German television channel launched in 1952. In that same year Grundig developed the first portable tape recorder.

By the mid-50s Grundig was the largest radio manufacturer in Europe with facilities in Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Karlsruhe.

7080 W/3 D
UKW-Concert-Boy 58

YEARS 1955-1964

During the next decade the portable transistor Grundig radio, portable tape recorders, dictation machines and music players with stereo sound were all exciting new Grundig products at the cutting edge of consumer electronics.

In 1957 Grundig acquired a majority shareholding in the typewriter manufacturers Triumph and Adler. This led to the creation of the largest tape recorder factory in the world in Bayreuth. In 1960 Grundig expanded beyond Germany for the first time, establishing a tape recorder factory in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Another new Grundig tape recorder factory opened in Nuremberg-Langwasser in 1962.

1960 saw the launch of new TV channels and, in response, Grundig TVs were upgraded to receive VHF, as well as the first wireless ultrasound remote control.

In the hi-fi sector Grundig introduced a modular system with separate components (radio, stereo amplifiers, record player, tape recorder, separate speaker units and even a 3-D sound device). Customers could build their own hi-fi system and incorporate it into their living room design.

Satellite 205
T 1000 Color
Automatic Cassette Radio C 201 FM

YEARS 1965-1974

In 1965 Grundig established a second overseas factory in Portugal. By the following year Grundig had sold a total of 16.5 million appliances world-wide.

1967 saw the introduction of colour television and Grundig responded with a series of exciting products. In 1969 a new Grundig TV factory started production in Rovereto, Italy, followed the next year by a new colour TV factory and a plastics production plant in Nuremberg-Langwasser.

Grundig introduced the compact cassette player in 1967 and later a cassette tape player for cars. In 1969 Grundig offered its customers Europe's first hi-fi amplifier with built-in equaliser, which became one of the best performers on the market. In the early 70s dramatic improvements were achieved in speaker sound, including quadrophonic playback of stereo channels.

The other major development of these years was home video recorders. Grundig also launched radio alarm clocks with digital rather than analogue display and a new Grundig radio for the car with an automatic station search.

In 1972 Grundig GmbH became a shareholding company, Grundig AG. From this time the Philips electronics company began to gradually accumulate shares in Grundig.

Compact System Studio 3000
Weltklang WKC 2835 VD
Cinema 9000
Video 2000

YEARS 1975-1984

The second half of the 1970s saw car radio technology advance rapidly. Grundig introduced a stereo system with medium wave and VHF receiver, cassette recorder, electronic station search function and a traffic announcement decoder.

In 1978 Grundig started production at a new video recorder factory in Nuremberg-Langwasser. Grundig set a new standard for home video recorders with a two-sided cassette that quickly made conventional VCRs with SVC cassettes obsolete.

Grundig introduced the first colour television projector in Germany and Grundig radio customers in 1981 could be awakened in the morning by a talking clock radio. In 1982 the second generation electronic notepad was launched onto the market.

Forward-looking Grundig continued with its multi-system strategy in the video sector, producing VHS video recorders and a range of appliances and accessories for videotext.

By 1984 Philips had further increased its stake in Grundig and Max Grundig handed over the business management of the company.

YEARS 1985-1994

In 1985 Grundig’s new generation of video recorders had an innovative system for real-time display of the tape position. Grundig also presented a satellite TV receiver for the first time at the International Radio and Television Exhibition.

Grundig brought the first mass-produced colour television with 100 Hertz technology to the market in 1986. Flickering on large screens was now a thing of the past and screens became much larger. This Grundig TV became a best-seller with long waiting times for delivery.

In 1988 Grundig contributed to a European research project with the goal of developing a compatible HDTV standard, with a VHS video recorder.

In December of 1989 the company mourned the passing of founder Dr. Max Grundig, who died at the age of 81.

In the early 1990s Grundig became involved in the development of a new terrestrial Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio system. Grundig introduced the first DAB pilot receiver in 1994.

Grundig continued to diversify its product range by entering the telephony equipment market with a cordless telephone in 1991.

In 1993 the Grundig TV had new technology, including a 16:9 picture format for signal transmission, and the latest dust-free, low reflection screens, offering excellent picture definition.

At the same time Grundig introduced the hotel communication system ASIS, which provides guests with service, security, entertainment and information around the clock.

Philips had gained complete economic control of Grundig by 1993.

In 1994 Grundig achieved a global first: a wireless hi-fi combination with infra-red signals.

Planatron
DCR 200 DAB
Fine Arts
OVATION CDS 6380 S

YEARS 1995-2004

In 1995 and 1996 Grundig introduced revolutionary new products: from 3-D sound systems to TVs with interactive user guidance, to the smallest satellite receiver in the world. The Planatron Flat Screen TV could be hung on the wall like a picture and used for multimedia applications with outstanding picture and sound quality. Soon after came an internet-accessible Grundig smart TV.

They also made progress in the field of digital dictation machines, with new voice recognition software called VoiceOffice mobil in 1998.

1997/8 saw the end of Philips’ involvement in the company. Grundig pulled out of this partnership because of unsatisfactory performance and a decline in Philips’ global consumer electronics presence.

At the end of June 2000 the company headquarters moved from Fürth to Nuremberg-Langwasser. Grundig invested over 50 million marks in new buildings and infrastructure at this time.

Grundig recognised the huge potential in MP3 technology at an early stage, becoming one of the market leaders. Grundig strode into the future of multi-media infotainment as it launched more than 40 new products at the World of Consumer Electronics exhibition (IFA) in 2001. Grundig TVs and DVD players set new standards in technology, sophisticated design, interaction and modularity in home cinema entertainment.

Car hi-fi continued to advance and the latest Grundig radio systems, including car navigation and digital radio, were presented at the Geneva Autosalon in 2001.

In April 2003, rapidly increasing production costs, extreme price confusion in the European market, and fierce competition forced Grundig AG to file for insolvency proceedings.

However, Grundig’s committed employees reached targets far exceeding those set by the administrators. As a result, on May 1st 2004, Grundig Intermedia GmbH opened for business, based in Nuremberg. Following intensive negotiations the Home Intermedia System division of Grundig AG was saved, including the classic Grundig sectors of home entertainment, research and development and service activities.

The other sectors in the long-established company also survived insolvency and carry on the Grundig name with Delphi Grundig Grundig Car InterMedia System GmbH, Grundig SAT Systems GmbH, and Grundig Business Systems GmbH.

These years saw Grundig continue to unveil outstanding hi-fi and television products, with state-of-the-art sound, outstanding picture quality, and wireless transmission throughout the house, making Grundig TV viewing an extraordinary experience.

GEBM 34000 XP

YEARS 2005-TODAY

In 2007 Grundig Intermedia GmbH became part of Arçelik A.Ş., the white goods manufacturer of leading Fortune 200 publically-listed conglomerate, Koç Holding. Arçelik is a Turkish company with 27,000 employees and 14 different production facilities in six countries around the world. Its 10 brands Arçelik, Beko, Grundig, Blomberg, elektrabregenz, Arctic, Leisure, Flavel, Defy and Altus sell products in more than 130 countries.

Since 2011, Grundig has been the official technology partner of the German Football League and in 2013 the brand acquired the naming rights for the Nuremberg Stadium.

Grundig is now one of the world’s leading producers of entertainment electronics, small electrical appliances and major home appliances. By expanding its product portfolio to the white goods sector in 2013, Grundig became Europe’s only full-range consumer electronics brand.

The company’s head office is located in Nuremberg and has a current workforce of 140 employees, while 1,600 employees work for Grundig in more than 65 countries.

Today the portfolio includes everything from MP3 players, to 65-inch 3D LED Grundig smart TVs, to hair styling devices and vacuum cleaners, as well as ovens, dishwashers and washing machines. Grundig continues to receive top ratings from the German consumer product testing organisation.

Since 2014 Grundig has focused on innovation, quality, extending the product range, and new investments. For example, its new HomeWhiz connectivity solution will be launched in 2016, using a smart app to connect with Grundig kitchen and bathroom appliances to make housework easier.