Our history

The history of DICTATOR begins with the patenting of the door damper in 1932, a product that is needed today more than ever. Since then, both the company and the product range have been constantly expanded.

The beginnings: 1932 – 1970

15 January 1932: The beginning

The DICTATOR history starts with patent no. 578533 of the German Empire for “Hydraulischer Stoßdämpfer und Schließer für Türen” (hydraulic damper and closer for doors) – invented by a German and a Dutchman.

The first DICTATOR product

The door damper, an invention that is today as useful as it was in 1932.

The first DICTATOR production

Back then, DICTATOR door damper were made by hand – and already with the highest quality standards.

The first DICTATOR company car

– registered in Westphalia. An effective marketing action which got a lot of attention.

The first DICTATOR logo

underlines the internationality of DICTATOR and shapes the image of the brand during the first decades.

Competition is good for business

Also in the Netherlands a company “DICTATOR NV” is founded which produces and sells DICTATOR door dampers.

More products follow

By now DICTATOR manufactures closing springs, overhead door closers, the DICTATOR Standard door damper and final dampers for lift doors.

Building the family business of today: 1971 – 1989

1st February 1971: Change of ownership

Dr. Schneider takes over the “Deutsche Dictator Türschließer Gesellschaft Ruef & Co.” – and since then the DICTATOR group is family-owned.

1973: Moving into our own company building

The headquarters moves in its own building in Neusäß near Augsburg (Germany) which would get larger and larger with the time.

The internationalization of the 70s

In the 1970s, the first international branches are founded: DICTATOR Española in Barcelona (Spain) and DICTATOR Engineering in Paddock Wood (England).

New products of the 70s

With the radial dampers, the possibility of mechanical speed control when closing sliding gates is achieved for the first time. Also, DICTATOR gas springs are the first product group with exclusive customer-specific manufacturing.

The 80s – more locations are added

1982: DICTATOR Berlin, located in Kreuzberg back then
1983: Antriebsproduktion HAUG
1989: DICTATOR Sverige, sales office in Sweden

New products of the 80s

The product range for sliding doors and gates continues to expand: full drive systems are being developed specifically for use in fire doors, as well as the corresponding smoke detectors and hold-open systems.

1983: Expansion of the headquarters

After the first extension in 1978, the next extension of the company building takes place: a new expansion for the offices and the warehouse

1.1.1988: Reunification of the separated companies

More than 50 years after the joint invention, the two DICTATOR branches in Germany and Holland are brought together: DICTATOR Productie in Emmeloord becomes one of the most important production sites of the DICTATOR Group – as well as sales office for the Netherlands.

Expansion of the company group: 1990s – 2012

The company group in the 90s

More companies join the DICTATOR Group: DICTALIFT in Budapest (Hungary) and WaCo Gerätebau in Dresden. Soon the most modern manufacturing machines are in operation in the company, with a lot of dedication, know-how and skill.

Product additions in the 90s

The electromagnets required for the hold-open systems are now produced in-house to ensure the highest quality and flexibility.
And yet another new development made a name for itself: the DICTATOR toilet lid damper (automatic lowering system) made of plastic, at that time still an absolute innovation.

1996: Additional construction work provides more space

An additional office floor is added. This will make room for the expansion of technical customer support, which will become an increasingly important, central trademark of DICTATOR.

1998: Special solutions from DICTATOR Española

DICTATOR Española has developed from a small sales office into an important pillar of the DICTATOR Group. Automation solutions for special projects start here and become one of DICTATOR’s trademarks in the field of large, heavy doors, gates, windows, etc.

The 2000s: Expansion of the gas spring production

DICTATOR Engineering moves into “Inga House”, where the production of gas springs for the English market takes place. The lead times of the gas springs in both the German and English production are drastically shortened – to 5-10 days, despite sole order-based production even of a single unit.

Product innovations of the 2000s

The tube door closer RTS gets the gate closer DIREKT as its “little” brother – which will soon surpass it and become an all-time bestseller.
Plastic continues to be used as the manufacturing material of the future – for the patented LD lamellar radial dampers.

2002: Own lift production in Spain

DICTATOR Española sets up its own manufacturing facility for the DICTATOR Homelift DHM and the DICTATOR lift shaft system – in order to be able to produce custom, tailor-made products.

2004: Moving into safety technology

With door interlock control systems a completely new product area is developed. These DICTATOR products are completely pluggable and can be operated without programming knowledge – modular, flexible and simple.

Expansion of the production in Europe and securing the future: 2013 – today

2013: Securing the future

The establishment of the DICTATOR Foundation on September 17, 2013 ensures that the DICTATOR Group remains independent, that customers, suppliers and employees continue to be of key importance, and that good, personal relationships do not fall victim to the technological age.

2014: Development of a new drive system

The DICTAMAT MultiMove draws on many years of experience in the field of door and gate automation technology. The drive system for sliding doors and gates is extremely flexible and can be adapted to a wide range of customer requirements.

2014: Expansion of the production

The production of DICTATOR door and gate operators, the patented lamellar radial dampers, spring rope pulleys, sliding door closers etc. moves to the company’s own new, spacious premises in the Swabian Alb. DICTATOR can now react even faster and more flexibly to the demands of the market.

2019: New building for DICTATOR Berlin

After a 2-year construction period, the time has come: the Berlin production facility moves from Basdorf to the new location in Bernau. Production now takes place in the new 4,200 sqm production hall. The main building is a two-story office building, which also provides modern common rooms for the employees.

2018: The first cobot works in production

First at HAUG, then also at DICTATOR Productie, cobots assist the employees in production by taking over monotonous tasks. The advantage: they can be quickly trained in new tasks and can take on different tasks very flexibly.

2019-2022: New international partnerships

New representations are added to the DICTATOR family. Now customers in Australia, Poland and Canada also receive customer support locally.

2021: New building for Dutch production site

DICTATOR Productie also moves to a new building, just a few minutes by car from the old location, which offers state-of-the-art working and production conditions. A new automatic lathe with an attached robot for the production of the door damper cylinders is also moving into the new production hall. A heat pump and a large solar system ensure sustainability.

2022: New building for the Spanish production site

Almost at the same time as in the Netherlands, a new company headquarters is also being built in Spain. In the remarkable building there is now ample space for the constantly growing production of home lifts, elevators and shaft frames. A new press brake also finds its place there. In addition, customers can now find two different lifts on site to try out.