![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1845-erstes-firmengebaeude-bito.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=5b393d642db64e3a08c71a57fe65a3f1)
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2015-bito-verwaltungsgebaeude-meisenheim.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=fa30f23dbd9dbca76e2af35196a4fef7)
1845 - 2023
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1845-erstes-firmengebaeude-bito.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=5b393d642db64e3a08c71a57fe65a3f1)
1845
In this year, Leopold Bittmann and his wife found the company “Leop. Bittmann” in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. The company produces metal ornaments and decorative elements for the leather industry.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1845-Morse.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=9a4809821577bd906188d37f1ffb105c)
At the same time
Using Morse code, Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message from Washington to Baltimore.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1959-fritz-august-bittmann.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=c28fe442f130fe67dafe3c97960c87de)
1959
Fritz August Bittmann joins the company, and the company enters the storage technology field. The first steel bin is produced in March.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1959-VW-Kaefer.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=83b106a19d1a8d6a81de73e7cdf16503)
At the same time
The three millionth VW Beetle rolls off the production line.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1962-kunstoff.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=2ca9d9688699dfde76ad5dd7fc1b6193)
1962
BITO begins to produce plastic containers using an injection moulding process. Plastic gradually starts to replace wood and steel as a construction material.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1962-Beatles_neu.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=22635615ae69468e439ed8eb50fcf246)
At the same time
The first Beatles single, “Love Me Do”, is released in the United Kingdom.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1976-sds-bei-bosch.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=b3d7ff018e22f502617af65e0cd3871d)
1976
BITO begins to revolutionise intralogistics with the production of the first ever carton live storage system and its first steps into the world of picking technology.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1976-erstes-Tastentelefon.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=4a9ad398ca193923c055329015e58b2a)
At the same time
The first push-button telephone appears on the market.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1980-doppelgeschoss.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=28cba64043d0cca5e8e0f48c5d55a346)
1980
BITO introduces the first boltless shelving system to the market. The system is also notable for being a two-storey structure.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1980-Rheinhold-Messner-Mount-Everest.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=293e6896645b6ac811cb9813fe2c02a8)
At the same time
Reinhold Messner scales Mount Everest without using breathing gear.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1981-pl-bauer-schrobenhausen.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=899ca7a91ab9044693c317db975f9069)
1981
BITO develops a pallet racking system with a high carrying capacity.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1981-erster-Personal-Computer_.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=8cb710259393a093098b5c6b06913b05)
At the same time
The first personal computer is unveiled by the American firm IBM.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1988-erstes-sk-prospekt.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=68b6bbb45afcfad704b4df8db8a3decb)
1988
Production switches to polypropylene with the new SK series. The SK also gets an attractive exterior look in powder blue and coral green.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1988-ICE.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=49b320ccc837b19020284ce1d2045143)
At the same time
The German high-speed ICE train sets a new record, travelling between Fulda and Würzburg at a speed of 406 km/h.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1990-erstes-rk-prospekt.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=e021b5cf9e67cc749008e350816a9999)
1990
BITO constructs a new container, the RK type, designed to match standard shelf widths.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1990-Fussballweltmeister.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=1e2db649ec33921b4d1710d054201317)
At the same time
Germany becomes the football world champion for a third time at the World Cup in Italy.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1991-bau-verwaltungsgebaeude.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=c6f4d22c8d75dfae3cc4702d0349f3c4)
1991
BITO continues to grow. The move to Meisenheim comes soon afterwards.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1991-Helmut-Kohl-Bundeskanzler.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=6f511e0a14c8af770448c3a1202d31b0)
At the same time
Helmut Kohl is re-elected as the first Chancellor of a reunited Germany.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1994-erster-mb-einhefter.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=1a784584b1c44b38aaccd98e2c8365a5)
1994
The new space-saving MB container is developed. This model is stackable when empty.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1994-Michael-Schumacher-Pokal.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=8dcaae6dcbb098b16b738bd9b32343e5)
At the same time
Michael Schumacher becomes the first German Formula 1 world champion.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1998-KLT.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=6d97c758b1c43f76f293d67fa33b2e21)
1998
The KTL handling bin is introduced, instantly convincing the market.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1998-Abstimmung-Einfuehrung-Euro.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=ee0b60388bf43582a8a01fe8e97c0c2e)
At the same time
The Bundestag in Germany votes to introduce the Euro.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1999-titelseite-verfahrprospekt.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=e74401711e05cee0adc1cb6f5800a5cf)
1999
The company decides to incorporate mobile racking products into its range. The first system went on sale as early as 1999.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/1999-Sonnenfinsternis.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=82f822c65f72ed8f4e1586228f1bac2e)
At the same time
Total solar eclipse above Central Europe.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2000-halle-fuellt-sich.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=0421042593a3d4715adca5d4dc244545)
2000
In June 2000, plastic-based production facilities moved to Lauterecken.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2000-Ausstieg-Atomkraft.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=e51ad892aa1fbe31c44343e1004026c0)
At the same time
The German government and the German energy industry agree to end the country's use of nuclear power.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2001-erster-online-shop-bito.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=280ff9acde208370c0de1fd2370feddb)
2001
BITO is the first company in its industry to launch an online webshop.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2001-Weltraumtourist.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=94525e3dd893fe8d4aebd549f915928b)
At the same time
In 2001, Dennis Tito achieves international fame as the first ever space tourist.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2006-Nilkamal.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=5842f73d00ded2584767b155651cc5dc)
2006
BITO signs a joint venture agreement with the Indian family company Nilkamal Plastics.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2006-zweite-Fussballweltmeisterschaft-in-Deutschland.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=4af4db345ce4c99f1a589a147f002f38)
At the same time
The final of the 2006 football World Cup, the 18th edition of the most prestigious national football tournament, is held in Germany for the second time - the first being in 1974.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2008-Einweihung-Halle-7.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=9669f28d4685de98174da90fa092e629)
2008
BITO opens its new Hall 7 in 2008.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2008-Weisses-Haus-Barack-Obama.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=33c1a1b831938a44aaae79f0ea39c1ca)
At the same time
Barack Obama becomes the first African-American President of the United States.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2011-schwerlastbehaelter.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=06f93ca5baeddb3152acf62178a4866d)
2011
The SL heavy-duty bin, with a maximum load of up to 500 kg, is developed and instantly wins the Red Dot Award.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2011-Nasa-letzte_Raumfahrt-mit-Space-Shuttle.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=a0d13a6dff9c9f653c4256ee08e17d93)
At the same time
NASA launches its last crewed space mission on the Space Shuttle.
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2015-neubau.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=5f2dac321dc2f51bb3359c9fbff76289)
2015
The Meisenheim plant is expanded to a total production area of 6,400 m².
![](https://assets.bitocloud.net/Bilder/Unternehmen/Historie/2015-Einfuehrung-Mindestlohn.jpg?ixlib=php-2.1.1&q=80&s=5f977dd731d4c10ae1983bd462a3a68f)
At the same time
A comprehensive national minimum wage is introduced in Germany, set at EUR 8.50 per hour.