The brothers Franz and Carlo Zambelli Sopalù laid the foundation for our company in 1957. In doing so, they followed the philosophy of their ancestors, demonstrating masterful craftsmanship and a thirst to shape their own destinies. Zambelli was built on the flawless embodiment of this philosophy in its daily work and in passing on these values to subsequent generations. To this day, the continuous transformation of fresh ideas and processes into high-quality products and services is what drives our growth.
Within decades, this two-man trades business had developed into an internationally active group of companies. Today, we have over 1,200 employees at eight locations in four European countries. In 2011, Zambelli received the Bavaria’s Best 50 Award from the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs in recognition of this corporate achievement.
Numerous international patents and utility models aptly demonstrate that the high standards we aspire to have remained unchanged to this day. We continue to see ourselves as visionaries by tradition, combining competence, innovative spirit and quality as our most valuable maxims. We are proud of the fact that Zambelli has preserved the spirit of a family business. After all, we know very well that it takes genuine team spirit to drive a company forward unwaveringly.
Few companies can look back on such solid growth as Zambelli. Our history shows how courage and inventiveness drove our company forward.
The plumbing trade of the ancestors of the Zambelli Sopalù family was first mentioned in a document in 1860 - by the State Ministry of the Interior, Kingdom of Bavaria. The profession of plumber and tinsmith has always been in the family's blood: the company's founders Carlo and Francesco (Franz) Zambelli Sopalù, their great-grandfather Giacomo, grandfather Giovanni Battista Giuseppe and father Valentino lived for their vocation. And three other siblings of the company founders, Johann Baptist, Renato and Otto Zambelli Sopalù also followed this example.
The church repair trade was expanded to include the manufacture of sheet metal goods during the Roaring Twenties.
The brothers Franz and Carlo Zambelli Sopalù found Gebrüder Zambelli Kircheninstandsetzung in Haus im Wald near Grafenau. They quickly make a name for themselves in the technical roof and façade business as specialists for extraordinary building projects: Renovation of the steeple atop the local Sacred Heart Church is the defining moment in the nascent company’s history. Extensive expertise and years of experience in the fitting and roofing trades still enable the company to complete national and international projects.
Originally conceived as a recycling idea, the reuse of copper sheet cuttings marks the starting point in our production of roof drainage accessories. The material is ideally suited for the production of drainage elbows. Even then, the company invests significant effort in high-quality production using what back then was state-of-the-art machinery.
The first major production facility for the manufacture of roof drainage accessories and metalworking is established using cutting-edge machinery in Haus im Wald. This marks the beginning of today's largest business division in the Zambelli portfolio.
Constantly thirsty for new challenges and project areas, Franz Zambelli Sopalù acquires a steel furniture company in Wegscheid: It evolves into today's Zambelli Metalltechnik GmbH & Co. KG, which since then has included the shelving systems division and other parts of the group.
Interestingly, the Wegscheid church steeple is the inspiration for the ‘A’ in our name and now graces the company logo.
Developed by Otto Zambelli Sopalù, the innovative metal roof system RIB-ROOF is launched on the European market. Technological advantages in production and assembly enable completion of the first large-scale projects. This step also marks the beginning of today’s building envelope business division.
Franz Zambelli Sopalù takes charge of Zambelli Fertigungs GmbH and Zambelli Stahlmöbel GmbH.
Carlo Zambelli Sopalù is appointed general manager of Zambelli Kircheninstandsetzungs GmbH.
Carlo Zambelli Sopalù passes away unexpectedly. Ursula and Franz Zambelli Sopalù manage the businesses in his place.
Today’s Zambelli Metalltechnik GmbH & Co. KG starts supplying various metal products after investing in a fully automated stamping and bending centre, creating what is now the industrial metalworking (IMB) division.
Kircheninstandsetzungs GmbH celebrates its 30th anniversary in Haus im Wald, the very first Zambelli location.
Zambelli sells its 40 percent stake in Fricke GmbH to the co-partner KME Osnabrück (today’s KME Germany GmbH & Co. KG).
Franz Zambelli Sopalù views the historical fall of the Iron Curtain and the accompanying opening of the East as a great opportunity: He founds Zambelli-technik, spol.s.r.o., In Krumau, Czech Republic, initially as an in-house supplier for the Wegscheid site. But the company develops quickly into an economically independent enterprise through important investments and the start of subcontracting for the automotive and caravan sectors: The caravanning division is born.
Zambelli RIB-ROOF production moves to new manufacturing facilities in Aiterhofen.
Zambelli acquires a stake in Italian roof drainage producer FA-VOL s.r.l. in Gambarare di Mira, Italy, the first manufacturer of elbows made from welded pipe.
Zambelli Fertigungs GmbH & Co. KG builds a new warehouse for roof drainage accessories at its Haus im Wald location in Lower Bavaria.
Zambelli closes its in-house galvanization facility at the Haus im Wald site. The company switches to purchasing strip galvanised materials for reasons of sustainability.
The company divisions receive certification according to
EN ISO 9001 and EN ISO 14001.
The group of companies joins the “Bavarian Environment Pact”. As a partner in this initiative, Zambelli commits to sustainable use of resources and environmentally friendly technologies.
Steady growth and the integration of further activities such as stove and fireplace production at the Krumlov site, necessitate expansion of production capacities and lay the foundation for the later heating technology division.
The new, clear company structures strengthen the four product divisions and expand each of their core competences. Marietta and Regina Zambelli Sopalù are named partners of the newly established Zambelli GmbH & Co. KG. The company increasingly expands into foreign markets and manufactures and distributes its products locally.
Zambelli receives the East Bavarian Technology Transfer Award.
The company site in Wegscheid already celebrates its
25th anniversary this year.
Zambelli Metalltechnik GmbH & Co. KG takes over the stove production division from a prestigious stove and fireplace manufacturer, creating the heating technology division.
Zambelli Kircheninstandsetzungs GmbH is renamed
Zambelli Dach + Fassadentechnik GmbH.
Franz Zambelli takes over the chair of the advisory committee at Zambelli GmbH.
The Zambelli Group of Companies receives the Bavarian State Medal for services to the environment and health from Werner Schnappauf, Bavarian State Minister for the Environment, Health and Consumer Protection.
Zambelli founds Zambelli metal s.r.l. in Sf. Gheorghe/Romania.
The Zambelli Group celebrates its 50th anniversary with a big party in the newly built warehouse in Haus im Wald.
Haus im Wald in Lower Bavaria continues to grow. The first warehouse and the “old tool shop” are torn down and replaced by a larger warehouse.
The metal roofing systems division is spun off from Zambelli Fertigungs GmbH & Co. KG, Haus im Wald, and incorporated into Zambelli RIB-ROOF GmbH & Co. KG, Aiterhofen, which is specifically established for this purpose. Zambelli also takes over Entlesberger GmbH & Co KG in St. Valentin and renames it Zambelli Color + Systeme GmbH & Co. KG.
Zambelli RIB-ROOF GmbH & Co. KG relocates from Haus im Wald and Aiterhofen to Stephansposching.
Zambelli completes its takeover of FA-VOL s.r.l. in Gambarare di Mira, Italy, the same year.
Zambelli takes over COLORFERR Kft. in Györköny, Hungary, and renames it Zambelli COLORFERR Kft.
The group of companies receives the award “BAVARIA'S BEST 50” and at the same time celebrates its 35th anniversary at the Wegscheid site. This prize is awarded to particularly fast-growing, medium-sized companies that have achieved a remarkable increase in their workforce and revenue over recent years.
Roof drainage production in Romania and the Czech Republic is relocated to Györköny/Hungary, the second competence centre after Haus im Wald.
Zambelli GmbH & Co. KG is awarded the Top Rating certificate.
The Zambelli Group receives the Bavarian Quality Award and the Cross Border Award. The Bavarian Quality Award honours Zambelli for its outstanding achievements in the field of quality and quality management. The Cross Border Award is presented by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Commerce of Upper Austria and Southern Bohemia and recognises Zambelli’s successful cross-border cooperation with other companies.
Company founder Franz Zambelli Sopalù succumbs to a long, serious illness on 22 February 2015 at the age of 81. Company management passes to his two daughters Marietta and Regina Zambelli Sopalù. Ursula Zambelli Sopalù accompanies the company's fortunes as senior manager.
Zambelli acquires a stake in Infiniti Concept AG from Switzerland in 2016 and in doing so becomes an integrated supplier of museum equipment.
Production is discontinued at Zambelli FA-VOL s.r.l. in Italy and the manufacturing facilities are relocated to Germany and Hungary. The site closes.
In 2017, Zambelli GmbH & Co. KG. purchases an interest in the Hungarian company Baumetall-Design Kft. and in Szolnok KAS Kft. in 2018, which also has a site in Hungary.
Franz Xaver Grill, who served as managing director of several business divisions and the holding company for decades, dies in an accident on 3 May at the age of just 59.
The “Zambelli Compass” is introduced as a guideline for the values and principles in everyday operations of the corporate group at all locations.
The roof drainage warehouses are equipped with automated long goods racks specially developed by Zambelli.
Zambelli focuses its roof drainage divisions at the locations Haus im Wald, Györköny/Hungary and Budweis/Czech Republic and closes the Austrian subsidiary Zambelli Color + Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, St. Valentin (AT).
Zambelli moves into its new, state-of-the art logistics warehouse in Budweis, Czech Republic.
Long-time partner and accountant Ursula Zambelli Sopalù hands over her shares in the company to her daughter Marietta Zambelli Sopalù. Florentina Zambelli Sopalù and Constantin Zambelli Sopalù, the grandchildren of the founders Franz & Ursula and children of Marietta Zambelli Sopalù, are also named partners.
After 2011, the Zambelli Group receives the "BAYERNS BEST 50" award for the second time, which is presented by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs for special achievements in terms of turnover and employee growth.
At the beginning of the new year there was a major change in the group of shareholders. After Regina - the younger daughter of the company's founder Franz Zambelli Sopalù - has withdrawn from the company, all the shares of the Zambelli Group and responsibilities are held now by Marietta Zambelli Sopalù and her children, Florentina and Constantin.
Zambelli Holding GmbH Passauer Straße 3+5, D-94481 Grafenau/Haus im Wald
Phone +49 85 55 409 0 E-Mail info@zambelli.com