Highs and lows, courage and concern, adaptation and growth. For 85 years, BLOCK has been facing the challenges of the market for inductive components and electronic components. Founded in 1939 by Alfred Block, our company underwent a transformation and significant boom with the takeover by our CEO Wolfgang Reichelt in 1971.
We are now an integral part of both the northern German economy and the global economy. Starting as a small five-man company repairing radios and radio wave receivers under the leadership of founder Alfred Block, BLOCK now employs over 1,000 people worldwide. After Reichelt’s takeover, he built a new plant, where colleagues worked manually. That location is today’s “Plant 2” in Verden and served as the true foundation of the current company, with the main headquarters since 1987 located on Max-Planck-Straße. Today, however, production operates on a different scale and at a much higher level — BLOCK has shifted from repairs to being impactful in the market of the production of inductive components and electronics.
INNOVATION DRIVEN BY IN-HOUSE DEVELOPMENT
Our large in-house development center ensures technological advancement of its products, thereby providing a competitive edge in the market. The label "Made in Germany" is not just a hallmark at BLOCK but the standard. With the largest workforce at BLOCK’s Plants 1 and 2 in Verden, this quality mark is well earned. BLOCK stands out as an exceptional company with its unmatched production depth and broad portfolio, establishing itself as a trusted solution provider for the past 85 years. “Being able to do everything in-house is the key to success. It allows us to respond to unforeseen market shifts while maintaining flexibility and short decision-making processes,” says Wolfgang Reichelt, highlighting the company’s strategic setup with all operational and strategic departments unified at its Verden headquarters.
GLOBAL OPERATIONS AND MANUFACTURING
Our production sites in Franklin Park, USA, and Kunshan, China, operate under the same philosophy – as independent companies and market participants that adapt to the unique needs of their regional customers. The founding of the US and Chinese subsidiaries in 2000 and 2012, respectively, ensured optimal support for existing overseas clients and laid the groundwork for BLOCK products in new markets. Starting with a local sales representation, then growing through acquisitions, and finally building our own production sites, BLOCK’s expansion plans from Verden have reached other continents as well. Last year, BLOCK Electronics Kunshan in China celebrated the tripling of its production space, with a current workforce of 40 employees. Product development in China takes place both in-house and in collaboration with external service providers to meet the technical demands of the Chinese market while adhering to German standards.
In addition to our overseas production sites, BLOCK has 38 global representations, with a focus on the European market. These international representations have steadily grown over the last 50 years, starting with the first in England, clearly demonstrating BLOCK’s global reach and accessibility. Initially using sales representatives, the company is now active in the German and European markets through its own field sales staff, offering personalized service and support on-site with customers.
EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT – ALWAYS SEEKING NEW PATHS
BLOCK’s management today includes the leadership of all business areas, with the executive board consisting of CEO Wolfgang Reichelt and Managing Directors Udo Leonhard Thiel and Lars Ullenboom. The management team is comprised of Jens Scheffelmeier (Production and Logistics), Michael Linke (Procurement), Veit Brämer (Sales), Kai Heinemann (Development and Product Management), and Tobias Kirschke (Human Resources). Together, they shape the company’s strategic direction and implement it operationally. At the beginning of the year, another step was taken toward the company’s future leadership, with all members of the management team being granted power of attorney (Prokura).
Since its founding, BLOCK has been driven by the desire to optimize and create solutions. Starting with limited resources during wartime, making useful products from the few materials and equipment available. By offering radios for rent, we even made it possible for those unable to buy a device to still stay informed about world events. "Information and knowledge have always been the key to the future, for both the people back then and for us as a company today," says BLOCK owner Wolfgang Reichelt. The continuous process of self-reflection, openness, and courage to try new things, explore new markets, and develop new products – that’s what BLOCK stands for.
“WE WILL BECOME A FOUNDATION”
The same holds true for the company’s future orientation. This philosophy will continue to guide strategic decisions, always keeping one of the management's core objectives in focus: securing jobs. This was the foundation for Wolfgang Reichelt’s decision to transform the BLOCK Group into a social foundation upon his retirement. A foundation ensures that the company continues to invest in itself and its development, preserving jobs at BLOCK for the long term.
“BLOCK is a healthy company with amazing employees,
and that’s how I want it to stay – that’s important to me!”
Wolfgang Reichelt - CEO
