GDS Präzisionszerspanungs GmbH was founded by Gruber, Dürr, and Schäfer in 1998, and commercially registered at Tübingen. We focused on developing, manufacturing, and selling precision tools for jig manufacturing, machine building, and tool making. During the following years, our number of employees increased from four to eighteen.
The computer operating system “Windows 98” was published for the first time.
GDS started to offer industrial apprenticeships to ensure the quality of our workers, and thereby maintain high quality standards.
The People’s Republic of China became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Moving into our new plant at Endelbergstrasse 8, Ofterdingen, and expanding our production area to 1200qm with 35 employees.
In Europe the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Republic of Cyprus became new members of the European Union.
We began to develop and sell GDS products and equipment for grinding machines.
China hosted the 5th FIFA Women’s Football World Cup. Germany won the final against Brazil with a 2-0 win and thus made football history, because for the first time a reigning world champion managed to defend the title.
Web-site and our first catalogue for GDS products were released.
In the US, Barack Obama was sworn in as the new President of the United States of America.
Our Company’s first performance at GrindTec fair Augsburg was an overwhelming success, and we gained a large number of prospective buyers, who turned into loyal customers within the following years.
In Switzerland, the Gotthard Base Tunnel had been broken through. At 57 kilometres, it became the longest railway tunnel in the world.
Restructuring marketing of our own products – Our journey from a contract manufacturer to producing clamping devices began. We continued in creating more office space and enlarging our production area.
In Germany, FC Bayern Munich won the final of the DFB Cup and was the first German men’s team to win the so-called triple.
We expanded our production area to additional 800qm, and 300qm of office space. Our first clamping devices of the µGrind series started endurance tests at exclusive customers’. Our sales department was restructured and GDS became a global player with 35 trading partners worldwide.
Brazil hosted the 20th FIFA World Cup. Germany won the final against Argentina 1:0 and became world champion for the 4th time.
We promoted our products in China, Taiwan, Korea and the US by training our partners, and setting up new catalogues. Launching of our clamping chucks µGrind, xGrind, and balancing equipment Equi’Z.
In Japan, the JR-Maglev magnetic levitation train had set a new speed record. The speed of the train was 603 km/h.
Performance as clamping device manufacturer with our new series µGrind and xGrind at GrindTec fair. With a lot of new contacts, we achieved great success within the four days at the fair. Our website was completely revised and redesigned.
In Cuba, the British rock band “The Rolling Stones” gave a free open-air concert that attracted around 450,000 visitors.
Next to the continuous progression of GDS clamping technology, the GDS competence center was build and a worldwide service network with our trading partners was established.
In Germany, the opening concert of the Elbphilharmonie took place in Hamburg’s HafenCity.
Our new clamping technology VIPER reached production stage. GDS is present in 42 countries all over the globe.
United Germany celebrates 30. anniversary of the mauerfall
Handover of the management from the company founders Stefan Schäfer and Dietmar Dürr to Thomas Löhn and Alexander Seyboldt.
Anniversary year of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday.