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Where it all started
Our story begins with two companies founded on opposite sides of the globe—Hennig in Germany and Advanced Machine & Engineering in Rockford, IL.
Advanced Machine & Engineering
Willy Goellner—a man of drive and determination who immigrated to America from Germany in 1958, founded Advanced Machine & Engineering in 1966 out of Rockford, IL.
Hennig
In 1950, the brothers Arnold and Kurt Hennig establish the Gebrüder HENNIG oHG in Munich and started manufacturing the first "HENNIG-Bellows" in an apartment.
1950-1969
1950 (Hennig) – Founded in Munich, Germany by Arnold and Kurt Hennig; begins producing bellows in an apartment.
1951–1953 (Hennig) – Rapid early growth, international agencies formed; first telescopic steel covers developed.
1959 (Hennig) – New facility built in Ismaning, Germany.
1966 (AME) – Advanced Machine & Engineering founded in Rockford, Illinois by Willy Goellner.
1968 (AME) – Relocation expands footprint and adds R&D facility.
1969 (Hennig) – Company becomes a GmbH (corporate restructuring).
Growth & Global Reach
1970-1989
1975 (Hennig) – Over 1 million telescopic steel covers delivered with roughly 230 employees and a global agency network across 21 countries.
1977 (Hennig USA) – U.S. presence established in Rockford, Illinois.
1977 (Hennig + AME) – AME partnered with Hennig, Inc., Germany’s leading manufacturer of machine tool protection, chip conveyors, and coolant filtration systems.
1986 (Hennig USA) – First chip conveyor manufactured in the U.S.
Restructuring & Expansion
1990-1999
1990 (Hennig) – Adjusts to global recession; workforce reduced and product lines refined.
1998 (Hennig USA) – Moves to Machesney Park, Illinois (current location).
1999 (Hennig) – Advanced Machine & Engineering purchases Hennig USA. A new production facility opens in Uvaly, Czech Republic.
Modernization & Integration
2000-2019
2000 (Hennig) – Moves to new Munich-area facility. Major modernization and new equipment. Joins the Goellner Group (Rockford, IL, USA)
2001 (Hennig) – Global brand presence expands; new presentation at EMO trade show.
2010–2011 (Hennig) – Major investments in laser cutting, waterjet, and bending technologies and expanded engineering and production capabilities.
2016 (Hennig) – Global rebrand launched to unify worldwide presence and improve customer experience.
Rapid Growth & Scale
2021–2025 (Hennig) – Workforce grows significantly (hundreds to 1,100+ employees in Rockford area) and facilities expand to over 1 million sq ft.
2025 (Hennig) – Named to Inc. 5000 list (No. 1821 overall; top U.S. manufacturer ranking).