1980–1996: On the Road to Becoming a Machine Manufacturer

Professional Machine Manufacturer with Four Product Lines

Reinhard Wirtgen left the service business in 1980 and focused on the production of machines for the rehabilitation and new construction of roads as well as for open-cast mining.

1986

Further milestones in milling technology.

1987

Cold recycling is an environmentally friendly method because it conserves resources.

1981

“A milling machine that can cut mountains” – open-cast mining is a new area of application.

1989

Acquisition of Belgian manufacturer SGME’s slipform paver division.

1995

Additional production halls are added (6,000 m²).

At his factory in Windhagen, Reinhard Wirtgen systematically expanded his product range to four professional product lines. Advancements were systematically made in the cold milling segment in order to allow WIRTGEN to offer the widest range of machines in the industry.

WIRTGEN first manufactured surface miners for open-cast mining and routing operations in hard rock in 1981. As a result, the company opened up a completely new field of application. In 1987, WIRTGEN introduced cold recycling as a new and cost-effective road rehabilitation process. In 1989, Reinhard Wirtgen integrated the slipform paver segment into his company. In doing so, he also offered solutions for paving concrete roads and monolithic profiles.