From Inception to Today: aluplast
Milestones in aluplast's company history
A leading innovator in just 40 years
The family-owned company aluplast was founded in Ettlingen (near Karlsruhe in Germany) in December 1982 by Manfred J. Seitz. Though aluplast is now a global company, it has fiercely protected its roots as a family-run business. In the year 2012 Manfed J. Seitz handed over the operational responsibility to his sons Dirk Seitz (CEO) and Patrick Seitz (CMO) and became chairman of the advisory board. In June 2017 Eric Bobay became a member of the board of directors: As CBDO, he took over the responsibility for the strategic business development.
In September 2018 Dirk Seitz handed over the post of CEO to Eric Bobay in order to devote himself to new roles in the aluplast holding and the advisory board. Eric Bobay is now the group’s spokesman. He is also responsible for business development and the new company in the USA, as well as for the purchasing department and logistics section. As before, Patrick Seitz is responsible for sales, systems engineering and marketing. The Board of Directors is completed by Arne Przybilla as CFO, who oversees the areas finance, controlling, human resources and IT and Frank Spies as COO, a long-time aluplast employee who is responsible for production and site development.
2025 | Australia’s First Locally Designed uPVC System
aluplast Australia launches the countries first uPVC window and door system designed exclusively for Australian building requirements, marking a significant step in expanding the market for high-performance, cost-effective solutions. This new system delivers the renowned thermal efficiency, durability, and low maintenance of uPVC while offering an economically accessible option for a broader range of homeowners and builders. By tailoring the system to local climate conditions, building standards, and construction practices, aluplast is making energy-efficient, high-quality window and door solutions more widely available across Australia.
2023 | Innovation in uPVC Finishes
In 2023, aluplast Australia introduced the country’s first uPVC profile lamination line from a major supplier, marking a significant milestone for the local market. This state-of-the-art facility enables high-quality, durable surface finishes on uPVC profiles, offering architects, builders, and homeowners greater design flexibility with colour and texture options.
2022 | Australia expands
aluplast Australia significantly expanded its operations in 2022, moving from its 2,000 sqm facility to a brand-new 5,000 sqm facility in Dandenong South. This expansion reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the growing Australian market with enhanced warehousing, logistics, and service capabilities. The larger facility allows for increased stock levels, improved order processing, and better support for local fabricators, builders, and architects, ensuring faster delivery of aluplast’s high-performance uPVC window and door systems across the region.
2020 | aluplast Australia Opens
aluplast established its first Australian-based 2000 sqm warehousing and distribution facility to directly service the Australasian market, strengthening its commitment to local customers and partners. By bringing operations to Australia, aluplast ensures faster delivery times, improved technical support, and a more responsive supply chain for the region’s growing demand for high-performance uPVC window and door systems.
2012 | 30 years of aluplast
The innovative experts from Karlsruhe celebrate thirty years of successful innovation with business partners, customers and friends. With company founder Manfred J. Seitz handing over the reins to his two sons, Patrick and Dirk Seitz, aluplast retains its status as a family-run business.
2009 | energeto®
A milestone in window technology
With energeto® – the metal-free window system – aluplast has created a new milestone in window technology. The system was launched for mass production in 2009.
2008 | A double anniversary
Our 500 guests join the company for a double celebration in Karlsruhe: Firstly marking aluplast's 25-year success story and secondly the birthday of company founder Manfred J. Seitz.
2007 | aluplast becomes a pioneer
By opening new production facilities in Mexico, aluplast takes its first brave step towards global expansion. 2007 also sees the company once again being ranked among "Germany's Best" after making it into the final of "Entrepreneur of the Year 2007" again.
2006 | A new landmark
The completed mixing tower at the headquarters in Karlsruhe is unique in Europe, in terms of both technology and productivity. Karlsruhe's new landmark, which is located right next to the A5 motorway, was opened with a celebration attended by around 800 guests. The number of employees grows to 1,250.
2005 | Relocation to Karlsruhe
aluplast is still growing and needs more space: As the next logical step, the company relocates its headquarters from Ettlingen to Karlsruhe-Hagsfeld.
1999 | Big new premises and growth
aluplast exhausts its potential to expand its headquarters in Ettlingen. In the same year, the company begins construction of a new production centre and warehouse in Karlsruhe. A further production centre is set up in Russia.
1995 | Systematic success
aluplast establishes its first production facilities outside of Germany in the Polish city of Poznan.
1991 | International activities
The first foreign subsidiary – the Spanish sales office aluplast Ibérica – opens in Bilbao. aluplast showcases its products in the UK for the first time at a trade fair.
1989 | The company grows
The company Golde from Bavaria is acquired and its
"Golde IDEAL" window sealing system is adopted. IDEAL is still reflected in aluplast's product range, giving its name to aluplast's profile series.
1983 | First full year in business
The company launches its first full year in business. In its first year of production, aluplast generates sales of EUR 2.5 million. PVC consumption reaches 1,000 tonnes.
1982 | The beginning of a success story
Manfred J. Seitz is head of the "Window Profiles" division at the Elbatainer subsidiary of US-corporation 'Continental Can' based in New York. When the division was outsourced, he seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Using the management buy-out option, he got together with 27 former colleagues and six extruders to form aluplast GmbH in Ettlingen near Karlsruhe, Germany, in October 1982.
