Three young men have a vision of what's coming in the future: Wolfgang Kolb, Manfred Killian and Georg Pollmann (from left) found the electronics assembly service provider Kolb Fertigungstechnik GmbH in Willich.
The first soldering "line": Three hand soldering irons. The first production facility is built in the cellar of Pollmann's parents' house. Admittedly, this does not yet look like one of the global electronics cleaning industry leaders.
1990
Rapid growth: The company moves to a production hall with offices in the Münchheide II industrial estate in Willich. Design of the first official company logo, logically (keyword: future) with a microchip as a symbol.
Manual cleaning with solvents? No thanks: With the invention of kolb AirFlow technology, mechanical cleaning of solder frames and carriers, using water, air and solvent-free cleaning agents is possible for the first time.
1991
Start of cooperation with Ing. G. Linker GmbH for the development and production of the first aqueous detergents for the electronics industry. Start product: ContraFlux® flux remover, e.g. for solder carriers.
Market entry of cleaning technology products: Initially only intended and constructed for in-house use, the first commercial delivery of a RB1 system takes place – later successfully in the program as kolb AF03 for over 25 years.
1994
While the industry continues to clean production tools by hand: Presentation of the first semi-automatic three-chamber system RB4 – later successfully in the portfolio as kolb AF04 for more than 25 years.
While the market still swears by solvents, the kolb range of aqueous detergents is being expanded to include a paste and adhesive remover (PastEx®) and the first additives to improve cleaning performances.
1995
Development of the kolb PowerSpray pressure spray technology and thus entry into the market segment of aqueous fine cleaning of sensitive production tools such as printer screens and printer stencils.
Green becomes cyan: The cleaning technology department becomes its own business division and gets its own logo. The first trade fair appearances for systems and detergents follow - initially at cooperation stands.
1996
Moving into the new headquarters in a Willich industrial estate. Why Willich again? Duesseldorf airport – 18 km, Duesseldorf main station – 22 km, Duisburg port – 35 km, Krefeld main station – 20 km, Venlo (NL) – 45 km.
Delivery of the first semi-automatic PowerSpray three-chamber cleaning systems RB5D and RB6D for screen stencils – already equipped with a fine filter system for detergent regeneration and hot air drying.
1998
Development of large-scale systems for maintenance cleaning, especially for the volume cleaning of components (coolers, filters, heat exchangers, containers etc.) from flux management systems of almost all manufacturers.
Image left: RBM7 - large cleaning system with crane. Image right: RB10D – the first all-round system for maintenance cleaning: For contaminated condensate filters, carriers/masks, ESD boxes, LP magazines, pallets etc.
2000
Design and registration of the final logos for the
Electronics Manufacturing and Cleaning Technology divisions. First corporate and therefore also packaging design for Cleaning Technology.
Establishment of the first technical center in Willich, Germany. Market launch of the first broadband two-phase cleaner MultiEx® 2P for cleaning SMD adhesive, paste and rosin.
2001
Double premiere: Development of the first fully automatic single-chamber system (PS08), and thus also the first system for PCBA cleaning and therefore entry into ultra-fine cleaning of sensitive electronic products.
Intensive research into aqueous, environmentally friendly cleaning media and subsequent massive expansion of the chemistry product portfolio with e.g. special soldering oven detergent (CF1), additives and service products.
2002
Market launch of the modular AF09 maintenance cleaning system (with up to four chambers) with innovative hybrid technology for cleaning condensate filters, solder frames etc. as well as external piping and cyclones.
Development of the resource-saving MediumWipe process for PowerSpray® systems, in which residual medium is blown off the goods to be cleaned and out of the cleaning circuit and returned to the cleaning tank.
2003 / 2004
Market launch of the PS04 all-round system for maintenance cleaning with a large process chamber (W 850, D 750, H 580 mm) for carriers, filters, ESD boxes and tools. First use of the vertical, space-saving airlock door.
Presentation of the first self-sufficient, water-free operable single-chamber cleaning system PS07 for stencils with 4-step process (cleaning, MediumWipe, rinsing, drying). Also the prototype for the planned series platform.
2005
Introduction of the single-chamber platform design, which enables high-end technology on the smallest possible footprint. Launch of the PS09 PCBA cleaning system and the self-sufficient PS03 entry-level stencil cleaner.
Launch of TernarySequence® (TS) detergent technology (multiple regeneration of the detergent with very simple filtration) with the product MultiEx® N7-TS, which can also be used as rinsing medium.
2006
Pioneer also here: start of the development of water treatment and disposal technologies specifically for sewage of cleaning systems in the electronics industry. First commercial plant: the AA500 water processing system.
Due to the rapidly growing export business, the first kolb foreign subsidiary is founded in Bankstown, Australia, in cooperation with Suba Engineering PTY Ltd., specifically for the South-East Asia business region.
2007
Legal and physical separation from Kolb Fertigungstechnik GmbH as kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH with shareholders (from left) Christian Linker (authorized signatory), Georg Pollmann (CEO) and Christian Ortmann (CFO).
Market launch of the PS07 TWIN, the world's first cleaning system that can clean two stencils simultaneously, and the AF20, the first fully automatic single-chamber system with AirFlow technology from kolb.
2008 / 2009
Development of the PSB "OneBox" compact platform for two- and three-tank systems to provide the best possible cleaning quality with the highest possible economic efficiency on the smallest possible footprint.
Introduction of the compact AA200 wastewater treatment system (forerunner of WPSD-IU SYMBIO-modules) for the treatment of heavy metals containing rinse water to be disposed of indirectly into the public sewer system.
2010
Introduction of the PSB500 (for PCBAs) and PSB400 (for carriers and tools) systems: From 2010 the OneBox product portfolio develops into the world's best-selling batch system series in the electronics manufacturing industry.
First DIN ISO (14001:2004, 9001:2008) certification of kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH. Re-design of the logo and the entire corporate design and packaging, especially for digital communication media.
2011
Start of in-house production of stainless steel cleaning chambers (larger than those available on the market) and introduction of completely virtual prototype construction, thus drastically reducing development times.
Market launch of the 300 compact class for smaller companies or for use in mass production where one stencil cleaning system is installed per printer. Market launch of the AF30 maintenance cleaning system.
2012
Introducing the PSB500 H70, the world's first batch cleaning system with a 700x710 mm process chamber that can clean 540 Eurocards! Presentation of the PSB100 hybrid all-rounder for ultra-fine, fine and tools cleaning.
Market launch of the AirFlow mass cleaner AF60 for condensate filters and tools. General contractor for the construction of the washing center for SMD tools with three AF60s at the Siemens electronics plant in Amberg.
2013
As an innovation leader and one of the most successful companies in the electronics cleaning industry, kolb celebrates its 25th anniversary and opens its 1,200 m² logistics and torso production center.
Presentation of the PSB500 H90, the batch system with the world's largest (970x955x900 mm) process chamber for cleaning of 830 Eurocards. Introduction of the PS300 2HD hybrid compact system for stencils and PCBAs.
2014
Market launch of the PSB700 H90 with 8-fold rotor system and CWA high-performance compressor drying: the world's first cleaning system for 4 stencils up to 800x940x40 mm. Cycle time: approx. 4 minutes per stencil.
Publication of the new kolb website.
2015
Foundation of kolb Cleaning Technology USA LLC. for North and South America.
kolb Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. opens a branch in Shanghai. kolb is now represented by sales partners and its own companies in 52 countries.
2016
Market presentation of integrable recycling and disposal modules for kolb PSB systems – for reuse (WPCL modules) of rinsing water or for in¡direct discharge into the local wastewater network (WPSD modules).
Market launch of quick-loading units (a world first) for PCBA cleaning systems, which reduce loading and unloading times to a minimum, as the loaded units can be completely pulled out and pushed in.
2017
Global premiere of the innovative, Industry 4.0-capable AQUBE® system family. Christian Ortmann takes over as CEO from Georg Pollmann, who continues to be responsible for the technical area as CVO.
Presentation of the PSE system family: Economy systems based on the PS series, which has been successful since 2010. New packaging design for detergents, change of canister color to corporate color cyan.
2018
30 years of kolb: 2,312 systems on the market, 34 system models, 53 detergents and additive products on offer. Market launch of the AQUBE® MV8 sTWIN, the world's first sequential cleaning double chamber system.
Market launch of TS+ detergent technology for twice as high pH buffering as comparable products on the market. kolb USA establishes its new nationwide representative network for the USA and Canada.
2019
As part of the space expansion, kolb Campus Knowledge Center is founded to build up and transfer knowledge to customers, partners, employees and interested parties from the industry. 1st event: kolb TECHNOLOGY DAYS.
Start of a research cooperation with the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. Various departments conduct research with kolb process experts on innovative processes in the field of cleaning and water management.
2020
While the coronavirus pandemic keeps the world in its grip: Internal launch of multiple projects to further digitalize processes and applications and to further develop system software and automation.
Further university cooperation in the area of research: together with Fontys University Venlo (NL), relevant kolb departments are conducting research in the area of sustainable production/neutral climate footprint.
2021
Interested parties can now use the online product selector on the kolb website to get a qualified and detailed overview of which kolb systems are best suited to their individual performance requirements.
Market launch of the PSE300 2VL-XL cleaning system for BigBoards up to 770 x 1,560 mm (30" x 61"), which can alternatively also clean two stencils or scraper wash frames up to 780 x 786 mm (30.7" x 31") in one cycle.
2022
Christin Lökes joins managing directors Christian Ortmann, Georg Pollmann and authorized signatory Christian Linker as a member of the Executive Board, responsible for Finance, Controlling, Human Resources and IT.
In the course of the upcoming generational change, the guiding principles and DNA that have made the company successful with its culture are established as a binding basis for value-oriented management.
2023
The AQUBE® MV3 ONE system rounds off the portfolio of high-end stencil cleaners. The single-slot system offers networking for traceability, remote control, remote maintenance and the option to clean PCBAs.
kolb takes first place in the “Family-friendly companies 2023” competition in its home district and impresses the jury with its part-time models, company kindergarten, health management, training offers and much more.
2024
Launch of the web product selector for kolb detergents with genuine "best match" recommendation. Conversion of chemical packaging to containers made from 100 % recyclate, which in turn is 100 % recyclable.
Start of the cooperation with the Leonardo da Vinci comprehensive school in Willich, Germany. First use of the online tool “Sparify” for simple replacement part identification and selection for a request for quotation.
2025
Launch of the kolb Campus knowledge management and training format with e-learning and practical seminars.
Opening of our liaison office in New Delhi, India.
2026
The AQUBE® and PSE 6 series introduce five new cleaning systems. The kolb AQUBE XV7 and XV9 SuperTask systems are specially designed for highly demanding applications.
The kolb cleaning systems will undergo a facelift, called Generation 2026.
