Shaped by ingenuity for over 130 years
1865
Anton Ullrich, the uncle of the STABILA company founder Gustav Ullrich, begins production of folding rules.
One of these historical folding rules is still in the company’s possession.
1886
Anton Ullrich and his brother Franz receive a patent regarding a spring-loaded joint for folding rules.
This signals the date when the folding rule we know today was born.
1889
Gustav Ullrich, son of Franz, founds the “Metre Factory” in Annweiler/Pfalz.
Rules and spirit levels are even exported to far-off Russia.
1901
The Gustav Ullrich Maßstabsfabrik measuring tool factory was already providing a wide range of measuring instruments as far back as the turn of the century.
1929
Registration of the brand name STABILA.
1945
Production of rules, spirit levels and measuring tapes recommences after World War II.
Pioneering developments in the field of measuring instruments for craftsmen follow.
1952
STABILA secures the patent for the acrylic glass vial and becomes the first German manufacturer of measuring tools to produce light-metal spirit levels.
1954
STABILA invents the glass fibre measuring tape.
1979
A patent – unsurpassed even today – gives spirit levels life-long accuracy:
STABILA casts the vials securely in the profile body (LOCKED VIALS).
1994
The electronic age commences at STABILA with laser measuring instruments.
1997
A wholly-owned sales organisation for STABILA products is established in the USA.
1999
The introduction of impact-resistant self-levelling technology for line lasers enables rapid and easy measurements with the permanent precision typical of STABILA.
2006
The patented STABILA Protector System protects rotation lasers reliably if knocked over.
2010
STABILA develops a dust- and waterproof electronic module for spirit levels that sets new benchmarks in construction site application.
2011
Foundation of a production subsidiary to manufacture laser measuring equipment in China.
2013
STABILA unveils a revolutionary new spirit level design. The patented aluminium R-profile form combines the wishes of numerous craftsmen for sturdiness, stability, grip and the option of marking out with the spirit level.
2017
The revolutionary MOTION CONTROL from STABILA makes every measuring task easier, quicker and more effective.
2018
STABILA is extending its electronics range with the TECH 700 DA.
One tool – three functions: digital electronic angle finder, spirit level and bevel gauge.
Expansion of the international sales network by establishing sales companies in China and Australia.
2019
STABILA is launching electronic measuring tools for industrial applications in the field of data measurement, data analysis and data transmission on the market for the first time.
2020
Extension of the production area by 1400 m².
Investment of millions strengthens location in Germany and enables future growth.
2023 / 2024
Investment of 15 million euros in the construction of a new logistics centre in Hauenstein-Wilgartswiesen in the Palatinate region of Germany.
The present
STABILA is a world-renowned and distinguished manufacturer of top-quality, branded measuring tools. Active in more than 80 countries with its own sales companies, representatives and importers, the STABILA brand is the first choice for millions of professional tradespeople in important measurement technology sectors.
The product range comprises spirit levels, line and rotation lasers, electronic measuring tools, rules and tape measures. Approximately 600 employees are committed to STABILA’s success worldwide, including around 350 in Germany at the headquarters in Annweiler in the Palatinate. In addition to the main factory in Germany, where all of the STABILA spirit levels, electronic measuring tools and high-end rotation lasers are manufactured, STABILA also maintains its own factories in the Czech Republic (rules) and China (laser measuring tools).
It owes its worldwide success and strong growth to its innovative strength, application-oriented product development in close cooperation with construction and trade professionals, modern production technologies and the consistent development of its sales and marketing activities.