Business Runs in the Family – Handing Over to the 3rd Generation
July 18, 2023From Tradition to Innovation – The Bülte Story
June 2023: A new chapter begins at Bülte. After a decade of working alongside her father, Stefan Bülte, Fanny Bülte — the founder’s granddaughter — officially assumes leadership of the family-owned plastics business.
Founded in 1956 by Norbert Bülte, the company has always been driven by innovation in the plastics and nylon parts industry. After gaining 8 years of experience in the sector, he established his own company for assembly parts and fasteners in Lüdinghausen, North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany). Working closely with industry partners and specialists, he invented the famous Bülte nylon safety/sealing washers.
In 1979, his son Stefan Bülte joined the business. He expanded operations internationally and, in 1986, founded Bülte Plastiques in France, marking the beginning of the company’s European growth strategy.
The Rise of the 3rd Generation
In 2013, Fanny Bülte, granddaughter of the founder, entered the company and immediately began to modernise operations. She spearheaded the digital transformation, introduced new marketing strategies, and strengthened international communications – paving the way for a forward-looking approach in the plastics fasteners market.
A Future-Oriented Vision: Innovation in Plastic Fasteners
Now officially at the head of the company following her father’s retirement, Fanny Bülte – in cooperation with a team of international experts – is committed to preserving the family’s heritage and values while embracing the future. Under her leadership, Bülte continues to foster customer proximity and maintain its reputation for expertise, quality, and trust in the plastics industry.
As part of the 3rd generation, she recognises the urgent challenges facing modern manufacturing. Her strategy includes a strong focus on:
- Reindustrialising Europe to strengthen regional supply chains
- Addressing the climate emergency with sustainable solutions
- Promoting responsible resource management and raw material efficiency
- Driving industry decarbonisation through innovative processes
- Ensuring ethical governance and social responsibility in production
With almost 70 years of expertise, Bülte remains a family-owned business committed to combining tradition with innovation, ensuring long-term growth in the sustainable plastics fasteners market.