1919

The company was founded in Cologne, Germany by Hans Stollenwerk in 1919. The factory started off producing handmade motor vehicles. The advancing industrialization and successive automation of the automotive sector led the firm to an increased attention on special vehicles like ambulances. This attention was fostered by the experience that Hans Stollenwerk made with insufficient transportation solutions for wounded soldiers. It ignited the spark to gradually become a quality supplier of rescue equipment. The production shortly extended its reach to equipment like stretchers, mounting material and racks. Several patens built the foundation for supplying ministries and rescue organizations with innovative products. The emergency transport trailer „Original Stollenwerk“ is one example, which served as the ideal patient transport solution at that time.

1930

During the early 1930s, the company moved to Potsdam-Babelsberg, near Berlin. Soon the company developed more patents like a special mounting system, which was able to transform every vehicle into an ambulance within a short period of time. Along the core production, which was now centered merely on equipment, Stollenwerk produced camp beds and mobile camp kitchens for paramedics.

1956

In 1956 Hans Stollenwerk rebuilt the company in Cologne after the production facility in Potsdam-Babelsberg was totally destroyed. The company’s know-how and experience allowed a quick recovery in the field of rescue transport solutions. Soon, it developed a new stretcher for the German military, which fulfilled and surpassed all strict requirements. One new feature was a distinct polyethylene fabric that was developed in cooperation with Dr. Fischer, chemist with Dynamit-Nobel. This all new material was not absorbing any fluids, breathable, chemical resistant and flame retardant.

1959

Development of the „Hälftengleichen Trage“ according to Stanag 2040. At the same time occurred the development and production of the series 75, 80 and 99. This was followed by the medical and disaster protection stretcher according to DIN 13024. For the first time, Stollenwerk used aluminum as central elements of a lightweight production series. This reduced the overall weight to just over 6 kg.

1960/63

In the 1960s followed the development of various mounting equipment for camp beds, which enabled the patient transport in usual coaches.

1963 - 1994

During the so called Cold War, Stollenwerk developed and produced equipment for anti-aircraft defense bunkers, for public protection.

1968

Development and production of the SAN-Stretcher-Mounting system for the MTW 113. It was coined by an innovative rail-guided pivot mechanism, which enabled a fast and safe loading and unloading of the patient. After extensive tests, the system was also delivered to the US Army.

1969

Development of the stretcher support model 60, which was designed to be assembled rapidly and to position patients for medical treatment on any terrain. It holds all stretchers according to the DIN 13024. Today the model 60 is used by medical services of the military forces like field hospitals or in nautical contexts like ships or platforms

1970

The founder Hans Stollenwerk passed away in 1970 and his son Wilhelm Hans Stollenwerk carried on the company. Until 1987, the company produced primarily for the civil disaster protection in Germany and Europe. Main customers were state authorities.

Development and presentation of a fully equipped first aid room for production facilities.

1971

In 1971, Stollenwerk developed the model 480. It was the first of his kind that was suitable for outdoor and indoor patient transportation. Its robustness and its extreme off-road capabilities made it indispensable for patient transportation in areas with no direct access.

1974

Development of the stretcher model 100. The lightweight construction reduced the total weight to 12 kg. Accessories like belt systems and transfer sheets set first standards in the area of ergonomic working and safety.

1976

Since the foundation of the Standards Committee of hospital emergency services (NARK) Wilhelm Hans Stollenwerk was an active member.

1981

Development and production of an altered version of the SAN-Stretcher-Mounting system for the ILTIS off-road vehicle. It followed the delivery of the SAN-Stretcher-Mounting system to the Canadian company Bombardier. 

1988

Development of the carriage 2870 DIN 13043 for the stretcher according to DIN 13025. The goal was to develop a carriage that could be fixated by the standard four point fixation system in ambulances.

The result was a revolutionary lightweight concept, which convinced by robustness and ease of handling. A special feature were the separately lockable legs that allowed an easy roll-in loading and unloading of the system in the ambulance.

1991

Development of the stretcher model 3000 according to DIN 13025. The following model 3002 was the first stretcher to have a patented gas spring that supports the adjustable back rest. To increase the handling of the stretcher for the user and the comfort for the patient, the models 3003, 3006 and 3008 were developed.

The last evolution of the stretcher, the 3008, allows a fully gas spring supported patient positioning. In this model back, footrest and abdominal wall relief are reinforced by gas springs.

1992

The consequent redesign of the stretcher according to STANAG 2040 won a tender with the Dutch Army (Koninklijke Landmacht).

Another advancement of the STANAG 2040 version won another tender with the British Army. Later it was also delivered to the Czech Army (Armáda Ceské republiky).

1994

To increase the daily work routine ergonomics for the public rescue sector, the carriage model 2870 was updated to the series 4000. This version offered large improvements in the everyday workflow routine of a paramedic, as it allowed 6 adjustable height positions. All of which are supported by gas springs in the upward movement to ease the lifting process. Another effort included the compatibility to platforms in ambulances, which was achieved with the monobloc system.

The model 4000 was followed by the models 4002 and 4003. Additional extendable handles at the head end and a redesign of the front leg drastically improved the ergonomic features of the system.

1995

Hans Wilhelm Stollenwerk passed away in 1995. His two sons Achim and Thomas Stollenwerk carry on the family business in the third generation. Major clients today are rescue organizations, as well as municipal and private rescue services – throughout Europe. Achim Stollenwerk is an active member in the Standards Committee of hospital emergency services (NARK).

2000/01

The structure of the stretcher and the carriage is constructional enforced, to comply with the brand new DIN EN 1865 and DIN 1789. The system proves itself in a crash test: 10 g in every direction, forwards, backwards, sideways and vertical.

The Stollenwerk rescue system demonstrates to withstand the dynamics of the crash test according to DIN EN 1789 on a commercial available platform, without any extra support and under supervision of the TÜV-Rheinland. The first DIN EN 1789 dynamically tested carriages and stretchers are produced and delivered during the year 2001.

Test certificate of the TÜV-Rheinland as PDF (1,8 MB).

2004

A study of the University of Siegen at the department of workflow and ergonomics objectively attests the stretcher and the carriage of Stollenwerk good results. Central research areas were cardiovascular stress and repetitive muscle strain.

2008

Stollenwerk transfers its know-how in transportation to the funeral services. In this field many operations follow a similar work routine of lifting, loading and unloading. A new patented device enables the transportation of a coffin and a transfer stretcher on one carriage. This enables users in the funeral services ergonomic working conditions in most encountered situations.

One topic in the field of rescue and ambulance transport is more weighty patients. As a reaction, Stollenwerk developed two models 5000 and 5010 that have a loading capability of 500 kg. The model 5000 is fully DIN 1865 compatible and can be mounted on the standard stretcher 4000 series.

2011

The customer profile of Stollenwerk comprises rescue organizations, municipal and private rescue services, as well as ministries –international.

The new factory site close to the original location emphasizes the company’s vision of quality and sustainability. Development and production remain in Germany and look into a future of customer-oriented responsibility, reliability and precision.

2014

Development and introduction of the 6001 carrying chair. The aluminum/magnesium construction is the first carrying chair to combine passive and active safety elements.

The chair passes the 10g test according to EN1789 with test dummy and the ECE R17 test for registration according to M1 classification. This makes it safe for patients and caregivers alike. And this at lightweight.

2017

The further development of the 6001 to the 6003 model includes a stair module that can be clicked on if required. This allows patients to be transported down the stairs with back relief. At the same time, the 6003 chair without the adapted stair module has good handling and only slightly more weight than the 6001.

2019

Stollenwerk celebrates its 100th anniversary. Max and Janis Eichenbrenner are mainly responsible for the management in the fourth generation. In addition to the safety aspect for patients and users, the ergonomic benefit for users is increasingly becoming the focus of new product generations.

2020

The fundamental reinterpretation and core development of the primary means of transport on every ambulance and rescue vehicle - the CPS system from the Stollenwerk company - passed all tests for approval this year. Among them also the important dynamic test according to EN1789:2020.

2021

The market launch of the new CPS system was successfully completed. The system has been installed by all well-known manufacturers of ambulances and rescue vehicles and is successfully in use throughout Germany and in neighboring countries.

2022

The further development of the CPS system produces a loading unit with significant weight savings. The model 7510 saves almost 50% weight. As part of the approval process, the new Model 7510 and also the Model 7500 have been successfully tested to EN1789:2020 and additionally also to AS/NZS 4535:1999. Another milestone in passive safety for patients and caregivers.