Our Team

Who We Are

The extensive expertise of our team lays the foundation for the outstanding quality our customers worldwide have come to expect. Our employees stay with us for an average of 20 years, which is just one way of demonstrating our strong bond and mutual trust – we’re more than colleagues, we’re family.
Years of working together have not only fueled our ongoing growth, but also shine through in the exceptional quality of our services.

Our Values

Trust

Trust is what makes us strong as a team – honesty, fairness, and support for one another are the foundation of everything we do across all levels.

Courage

We understand courage as welcoming new ideas and embracing the freedom to think creatively.

Community

In our strong team we offer genuine support and complement each other’s individual strengths.

Performance

Passion and discipline determine not only our company’s success but also shape our own future.

Autonomy

Independence drives our success – we recognize and nurture each person’s strengths and use them where they matter.

Your Specialists for
Precision Solutions

How it all began

1837

The French chemist Jules Despretz pioneered a technique to apply nickel to metal surfaces using electrolytic deposition for the very first time.

1861

This year marked the opening of the Ruhr-Sieg railway line, setting the stage for the Ruhr region to become Germany’s industrial powerhouse.
The direct connection to southwestern Germany and the centralization of coal and steel transport played a major role in this transformation.

1896

Paul Anke established Anke GmbH & Co. KG, recognized as the Ruhr region’s very first and oldest nickel-plating company.

1940

The 1940s witnessed the development of chemical nickel plating. Unlike electrolytic plating, this process forms the nickel coating through a chemical redox reaction between the bath solution and the surface of the workpiece.

1954

Anke relocated to the site of the former Ludwig coal mine in Essen-Bergerhausen. In addition, the company made functional surface technology its main production focus.

1981

Anke began focusing on hard chrome plating and investing in new equipment for this purpose. At the same time, the zinc plating facilities were phased out.

1997

The sale of Anke to the Parzer Group opened up a world of new opportunities. It also allowed the company to benefit from shared synergies while still bringing its own strengths to the table.

2004

Anke acquired the machinery of a trusted partner company. The Mechanics department was born and expanded in the following year through another takeover.

2018

The rapidly growing company moved to its new location at “Am Stadthafen” in Essen. The move to a new building set new standards in the field of electroplating.
From floor heating powered by waste heat from Anke’s baths to advanced ventilation systems, this facility embodies the perfect blend of efficient operations and sustainability.

2024

With the commissioning of a 750KW-peak photovoltaic system, it is now possible to chrome-plate components with significantly lower CO2 emissions. This step brings Anke another step closer to operating as a truly sustainable facility.

Proud Member of the
Parzer Group

Five companies combine their experience and individual expertise in functional surface treatment and mechanical processing across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Whether it’s about tackling intricate designs, large-scale projects, or meeting the highest standards – our Group’s diverse skills and depth of knowledge make us a flexible and reliable partner.

Anke

Am Stadthafen 42 · D-45356 Essen anke-essen.de (Link öffnet in neuem Fenster)

Stroetzel

Hafenstr. 11+13 · D-31137 Hildesheim stroetzel.de (Link öffnet in neuem Fenster)

HCWB

Martinsbruggstrasse 94
CH-9016 St. Gallen hcwb.com (Link öffnet in neuem Fenster)

Haslinger

Pummererstraße 21-25
A-4020 Linz hartchrom.at (Link öffnet in neuem Fenster)

Hartchrom T

Dr.Bolza-Schünemann-Str. 18
A-2630 Ternitz hartchrom-t.at (Link öffnet in neuem Fenster)