The SOMMER story ...

2008
Moving into the new extension of the SOMMER building with new capacity for management, production, customer trainings and product presentations.
Introduction of an optimized carriage for garage door operators with new design and improved dimensions.


2007
Opening of sales subsidiaries in the USA and Switzerland.
Introduction of SOMMER industrial door operators, the "twist XL” swing gate operator, a new generation of tubular motors and control units as well as the "RDC 800"and "RDC vision" roller door control units.
Development of a radio remote control for Kärcher.
UL certification and introduction of the "Synoris" garage door operator to the U.S. market.
Expansion of the headquarters, a 3-storey extension for offices and production areas.
Buildup of a testing centre at SOMMER in Kirchheim.

2006
Development of the "twist XL," a strong swing gate operator for large and heavy gates. The twist XL has a modern design and is based on the proven technology of the small twist 200 E. Launch of the jive 200 underground operator and the gator 800N sliding gate operator.

2005
Establishment of a subsidiary in China.
Development of the "gator" sliding gate operator, the "Telecody" radio code push-button, an underground swing gate operator and a swing gate operator from the "twist" series for large and heavy gates.
The 25th anniversary of SOMMER's foundation is celebrated over the two-day-long "SOMMER Days 2005" with over 1,600 customers and guests from home and abroad.

2004
Market launch of the “marathon tiga” collective garage door operators and “FunkManager S”, the tubular motor control board with integrated radio receiver.
Takeover of “Groke Türen und Tore GmbH” on 1 June.

2003
Development and market launch of the universal power supply for the duo garage door operators. Development of new operators for collective garages called “marathon tiga”.

2002
Development of the new “starglider 300” sliding gate operator and the FM 868 MHz radio power socket. Open days on 5 - 6 July with presentations from many important door and gate manufacturers from all over the world and an entertaining programme of events

2001
Presentation of the new radio with FM 868 MHz Somloq Rollingcode system at the BAU trade fair in Munich.
Reinforcement of the field sales staff in Bavaria and Northern Germany.
Launch of the range for tubular motors + controls for roller shutters and awnings.
TÜV (German Technical Inspectorate) certification of the “twist 200” swing gate operator to the new EU standards. Certification of almost all garage door operators in combination with doors/gates from the leading makers e.g.: Hörmann, Novofern, Lakal, Ryterna, Crawford, Wayne Dalton, Lindab, Dieden, Heroal ... more to come!

2000
Successful market launch of the “twist 200” swing gate operator.
Establishment of the SOMMER subsidiaries in Austria and Poland as well as the SOMMER information centre in Berlin.
Establishment of the SOMMER Academy to train and further train SOMMER customers.
Development of the new 868 MHz radio.
Reinforcement of the field sales staff in the East of Germany

1999
Market launch of the Funkcody Standard, Funkcody de Luxe, 15-channel industrial transmitter and “duo 650 N”. Introduction of the 2-day seminars.
Switch to new PPS software. Development of a new swing gate operator

1998
Official opening of the 3rd phase of construction. Market launch of Funkcody de Luxe and “sprint de Luxe”.
Establishment of the sales offices in England and Italy

1997
Market launch: radio push-button, code master, EIB radio, integrated Sommer safety system for the “marathon/triathlon” operators, bike lift

1996
Market launch of new mini transmitters, radio receivers, Sprint Solar.
Expansion of the single-lane traffic control range. Swing and sliding gate operator in set form

1995
Market launch of the “single-lane traffic control underground garage door operator”.
DIN EN ISO 9001 certificate.

1992
Establishment of subsidiaries in France and Hungary

1991
Development of the "marathon 800 N” garage door operator

1990
Move into the brand new company building in Hans-Böckler-Str. 27, Bohnau industrial estate

1986
Market launch of the new “marathon 550 N” garage door operator

1985
Development of our first garage door operator. The travelling motor, patented in Europe and America, sets this unique system apart

1981
Production and sale of door/gate operators under licence and under the name of "egrotronik"

01.04.1980
Establishment of the company in Kirchheim/Teck. Production of “egrotronik” garage door operators