TIGER History: From a small paint store to a Global Player

Since its establishment in the early 1930s, TIGER has become an internationally operating enterprise. Privately owned, today TIGER is among the leading manufacturers of coating systems. Originally producing only liquid coatings, in 1968 TIGER was one of the first companies to enter the previously unknown field of powder coating technology. The development and production of a wide range of thermoset powder coatings - environmentally friendly and economical to use - soon became the focus of its product line.

The owner recounts: Five anecdotes by Kurt Berghofer

1930

In the early 1930s, brothers Theodor and Gustav Berghofer found the TIGER brand.

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1949

TIGER produces the first artificial resin paint and conquers the domestic DIY market.

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1968

TIGER takes the step toward revolutionary powder coating technology and makes company history.

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1985

TIGER takes the leap and enters the North American market. The first production plant opens in Los Angeles in 1988; another follows in Canada in 1994. Current HQ: Chicago.

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1995

Moving with the Asian megatrend, we begin putting down roots in the big cats’ den. TIGER’s first Chinese production plant opens in 2000; two more soon follow.

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2002

TIGER opens a powder coating production plant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

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2003

The company’s modern R&D Center opens in Wels, Austria.

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2008

TIGER opens a further production plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

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2010

TIGER celebrates its 80th anniversary.

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2011

With TIGITAL®, TIGER creates a new business unit for inks and powders for industrial digital printing.

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2014

TIGER makes major capital investments in powder coating production.

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2015

The company is smoothly handed down to the next generation and management structures are expanded.

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2017

A quantum leap for metallic-effect powder coatings: TIGER 3D metallic effects in one-coat application.

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2018

TIGER opens the Gemba Support Center (GSC) in Wels, featuring TIGER Bistro.
For the GSC building TIGER received the "Energy Star 2018" Award in the category "Energy innovation for sustainable jobs".

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2018

TIGER initiates the Liberating Organism (LO) project, thereby elevating its corporate culture to a new level.

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2020

TIGER celebrates its 90th anniversary...
...and its success story continues.

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