puteus GmbH was founded in 1979 by the parents of the current shareholders in Meerbusch Lank-Latum as a craft business in well construction. It soon became apparent that there was an increasing demand for spare parts and accessories in the field of percussion well construction. As a result, the trading area was continuously expanded.
A first move to Krefeld-Stratum offered better and larger storage capacities. But it soon became clear that only product diversification would enable further success. The company concentrated on the entire garden irrigation sector and successfully established international contacts. From 1984 to 1988, the first business relationships were established with partners outside Europe and the distribution of water-bearing products was expanded via the intermediate wholesale trade. After the death of the father in 1988, the sons Hans and Peter de Gruyter - at that time still a student and pupil respectively - took over the business and expanded it with great commitment and motivation into a pure trading company.
The “puteus starter article”, the nostalgic hand pump with the well-known (p), and other articles already had a market share of more than 80% in Europe at the time.
By 2010, puteus had achieved a market share of around 75% in various markets in the DACH and Benelux regions with a greatly expanded product range with in-house design and production monitoring - including special fittings and various fittings. Our Rauten-(p) thus achieved an absolute level of recognition in the industry.
In the course of the 1990s, the storage facilities were already exhausted and the company's headquarters had to be relocated again. Since 1997, puteus GmbH has been located in Tönisvorst. The increasing focus on new customers in the technical trade and in the heating industry made it necessary to increase the quality of the products. The successful expansion of the customer structure also made the sales side more flexible and successful.
In addition, the acquisition of various well-known production companies by the de Gruyter and Stach families in the following years increased the demands on the products and there was an increase in vertical integration at the German site. Examples include the production companies Schlösser-Armaturen in Olpe, Werner Schütz Wasserzähler (now integrated into Schlösser), Heinrich Schulte in Iserlohn and the acquisition of Unatherm in Reichshof in 2022. In addition, companies were added whose production areas and expertise further supported the expansion of vertical integration, e.g. a plastic injection molding manufacturer, Lueg Drehtechnik GmbH/Iserohn, Delvac Sanitär- Handbrausen/ Nienburg, MS Schönbeck GmbH/Hagen or Kuri Galvanik in Iserlohn.
puteus continues to adapt to market developments today. Since 2011, the company has concentrated on the manufacture of heating fittings, fittings for the renewable energy sector, the sanitary industry and mechanical engineering. puteus has thus become a successful partner for the design and manufacture of special parts and fittings. In 2023 and 2024, for example, puteus developed and launched 149 new products on the market and stands out to customers as a solution- and quality-oriented manufacturer.
puteus will continue to change in the future! Customer orientation, quality, a market-driven price/performance ratio of the products, the pleasure of working in a motivated and competent team on continuous product improvements and developments are both a philosophy and an obligation based on tradition.
Today, as in the past, the traditional values that have made puteus great are pursued together with all employees under the renowned trademark (p).
Sustainability
Sustainability and environmental protection are guiding principles for the actions of our group of companies. All processes in our company are therefore geared towards economic, efficient, socially balanced and ecologically compatible development that is, to a certain extent, sustainable. Such a cross-generational orientation creates long-term prospects.
All business processes are subject to a cycle of sustainability. From customer orders to sustainable and process-controlled material procurement and production to numerous product and process certifications and regular contact with and information for our business partners, we pursue the goal of satisfied customers. Responsibility shared across many shoulders, continuous investment in all areas, maintenance and modernization of the operational infrastructure and ongoing personnel development determine the overall image of the company.
A delivery reliability rate of more than 90% and the great innovative strength in the area of product development mentioned above support our strategic success. Participation in various committees (e.g. VDMA, VDMA Technology Group or various trade fair advisory boards) is also a key factor here. In terms of sustainability, the strategic focus is also increasingly on the areas of IT, sustainability/certification and controlling. The following key areas are mentioned here, for example: data security, cyber issues, product information management, data exchange, ISO certifications, compliance with hygiene and drinking water regulations (DVGW); occupational and product safety, environmental protection and resource conservation, productivity analyses, purchasing and sales controlling.
In addition to the numerous ISO certifications, our company has also had sustainability certification since 2023.
Continuous in-house and external laboratory tests to ensure compliance with regulations (hygiene, release of heavy metals into drinking water, sound insulation, DVGW, etc.) lead to continuous design improvements and further development of our products. A process for nickel-free chrome plating developed in the Group together with the Schnabel company in Iserlohn is now pioneering for the industry at home and abroad and is now also supported by the DVGW. This process method is of course also certified.