We are
Our drive since 1995
Unconditional commitment and passion. This has distinguished us for over 25 years. Founded in 1995 in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Rhineland by Michael Zehe, Dipl.-Ing., and with more than 250 employees worldwide, we stand for the highest quality and competence. Our numerous product releases from renowned manufacturers in the automotive and industrial sectors, supported by regular audits attest to this. As a family business, not only are we creating innovative and sustainable lubricants at the highest standards, but we are always supplying the international markets with our best products.
But what makes ROWE so special? A look at the success story shows that it is not the idea that has to succeed for a business operation, but also long-term customer relationships and trust in our brand are fundamental values that make ROWE stand out. Since the company was founded, our steady growth in sales and turnover figures, even in economically difficult times, has been particularly impressive, at the same time the number of our employees is also increasing every year.
Made in Germany, but still at home across the world.
With numerous subsidiaries and loyal customers in over 80 countries, we can always operate flexibly and, thanks to our comprehensive lubricant portfolio, cover global markets and their requirements. We support this with strong marketing strategies in a variety of market segments.
We accomplish this through our high presence in motor sports with our own racing team and as main sponsor of the Nürburgring Endurance Championship, as well as through numerous activities in professional soccer. Since 2017 we have been supporting the Champions League winner Borussia Dortmund as well as the second division SV Darmstadt 98 and the FC St. Pauli.
Where others quit, we are just getting started
With the establishment of one of the most modern lubricant plants in Europe in 2014, we are setting new standards: both for ourselves and on the lubricant market. This is evident, among other things, from the more than 65 km of pipelines through which our HIGHTEC products flow. But also from our ultra-modern process control system, which defines new quality standards, as well as our fully CO2-compensated production facilities that characterise our prominent production centre.
Not only does our in-house laboratory stand for our development competence for new products, but it also serves to perform verification and batch control of our custom-made compounds. As soon as approval has been issued, we start an almost fully automated production line with capacity of up to 3,000 units per hour.
However, it is not only our state-of-the-art laboratory that is developing the new lubricants; they are tested on the "driving object". With our own ROWE RACING racing team we have been testing and developing new and innovative products on racing tracks worldwide since 2011: from steering and hydraulic oil to classic motor oil.
Brightly coloured canisters with a unique piston design and up to 5 litres capacity, manufactured by our subsidiary Palbo, are then filled with the best ROWE products and become a work of art right off the assembly line.
However, our numerous dealers and workshops enjoy more than just a good-looking product. The correct choice of equipment is essential: efficient shopping systems and the necessary equipment support our strong and long-lasting brand. A total of 15 companies, some in upstream and downstream processes, are involved in supporting the optimal marketing of ROWE products worldwide. These include various foreign companies for international sales, as well as a separate marketing company, ROWE RACING for our racing team and a construction & project design company.
Executive Management, like father, like daughter: Michael Zehe and Dr. Alexandra Kohlmann. Since 2016, they have led the company together and set the course for the future.
Sustainable action as a basic idea
Being a role model is important to us in many ways. This way, not only have we built one of the most modern lubricants in Europe, but have also been one of the most sustainable ones since 2017.
This is possible through our support for numerous energy and sustainability projects that minimize harmful CO2 greenhouse gases. Various certifications according to environmental standards such as ISO 14001 or the energy management according to ISO 50001 are only a few selected examples of our sustainable production and leadership culture. The fully CO2-compensated production of our lubricants reduces not just for us, but also for our customers across the globe. The energy needed for production and administration is generated partly from renewable energy sources, such as a photovoltaic system of more than 4,000 m² and a dedicated cogeneration power plant.
Milestones
ROWE in new design - relaunch of the brand
Expansion of the management board with Dr. Alexandra Kohlmann
Implementation of an energy management system according to DIN EN ISO 50001:2011
Changeover to the new amendments: DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016
CO2-compensated company
Dr. Alexandra Kohlmann joins the management as the next generation
Commissioning of the new grease production
Start of production at the Worms plant
Transfer of the company headquarters to Worms
Start of construction of plant II in Worms
Certification according to DIN EN ISO 14001:2004
Certification according to DIN ISO TS 16949 and DIN EN ISO 9001:2008
Extension of the administrative building
Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000
Company headquarters relocated to Bubenheim
Founded in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Rhine-Hesse
Corporate social responsibility
Responsible action belongs to the family philosophy of ROWE. For us, sustainability is not only the prevention of environmental pollution and resource conservation, but also the treatment of people and the principle of humanity. For that reason, not only it is our duty to offer our customers high-quality products and services, but also to promote responsibility in the area of economic and social development. To promote this goal, ROWE supports a number of cultural and social projects as well as a variety of sports events. We attach particular importance to the humane and considerate treatment of people and our employees. This is why we have been supporting Lebenshilfe charity initiattive in Worms since 2017. Not only have we let them become a part of our family through joint employment projects, but we also make the lives of disadvantaged people easier with our own individual campaigns. The sponsorship also includes regional and cultural projects, such as support for popCHORn initiative from Mainz as well as the Symphonic Accordion Orchestra of Hessen.
Environmental protection is also close to our heart: in cooperation with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), the green spaces on the Worms site are being turned into bee and insect-friendly areas including the construction of an insect hotel. Furthemore we are promoting the breeding of new bee colonies jointly with beekeepers towards strengthening of the honey bee population.
More about our sustainability projects
Our corporate philosophy
Our approach is always focused on the needs of our customers. Long-term business relationships reduce transaction costs for all participants and are therefore one of our goals. Through openness, fairness and our qualified staff in the field of internal and external service, we are able to build a basis of trust with our customers - the basis for solid and lasting customer relationships.
Modern production facilities, optimised warehousing, an in-house laboratory and horizontal management structures, which provide our employees the highest degree of freedom of choice allow us to operate with maximum flexibility as a constantly growing company at any time.
Qualified employees produce high-quality products in compliance with strictly defined quality control checks and testing procedures, all of which is 'MADE IN GERMANY'.
Quality management in our company certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001 and IATF covers all business areas and ensures a constant product quality.
Art and culture
As part of our cultural commitment, we support classical concerts as well as live stage performances and thus strive to bring art and culture closer to the people. Music combines virtuosity and emotionality with a long tradition and thus appeals to all cultures on earth. It is a vibrant and versatile art form that contributes to entertainment as well as to promoting social networks.
In this context ROWE supports the Symphonic Accordion Orchestra of Hessen (SakkOH).
Symphonic Accordion Orchestra of Hessen (SAkkOH)
The Symphonic Accordion Orchestra of Hessen was recalled to life in 2013. Our goal is to open up the orchestra to all interested musicians in order to maintain its high level and develop it further.
The orchestra is conducted by Thomas Bauer, one of the most internationally renowned conductors for accordion ensembles. Thomas Bauer and his team of 42 musicians have set themselves the goal of opening up new audiences for the accordion. Their increasing audience - in 2011 there were more than 2,000 spectators at a total of 3 concerts - prove that they are on the right track towards a growing professionalism. Through its annual concert highlights, such as the 2017 World Argentine Tango Vice-Championship (IDO) and the 2018 Jubilee Concert with singers from the Frankfurt Opera, the SAkkOH stands out as an exceptional orchestra and delights audiences from near and far.
The fact that the Symphonic Accordion Orchestra of Hessen is now considered by many connoisseurs of the scene to be one of the best accordion orchestras in the world is certainly not least due to the fact that in recent years the orchestra has developed into a musical ensemble under the direction of chief conductor Thomas Bauer. The interplay of musicality and harmony has clearly achieved an outstanding calibre, clearly audible to the audience.
Further information about the orchestra and current events can be found here.
