Fontijne is founded in 1909 and first started with servicing, repairing and later installing engines in ships. The company over the years became a nationally well-known manufacturer of equipment for the rubber industry, such as presses, mixers, etc. Eventually Metalforming machines were added, particularly for the production of barrels and drums for the oil-industry in the Rotterdam area, where the Fontijne works are located. In 1964 Machinefabriek Fontijne signed a license agreement with Grotnes. Under the terms of the agreement, the technology for wheel production machinery became available for the European market. Fontijne Holland, the former Machinefabriek Fontijne, became a leading supplier of wheel and rim manufacturing systems.

 

The original company, Charles Grotnes Machine Works, was founded in 1898, in Chicago (IL) U.S.A. The first development of Mr. Grotnes was a machine that could stretch and shape metal rings. The Grotnes machine, which came to be known as an expander, allowed rings to be fabricated from simple cylindrical blanks that were expanded to size while setting the desired shape. This new machine and process resulted in considerable cost savings compared with other known processes. Grotnes also developed other technologies for the coldforming of metal. Grotnes machines found its way to many industries like the aircraft industry, pipe and wheel industry. It was the wheel industry that brought Grotnes and Fontijne together.

 
Fontijne Grotnes

In the year 2000 Fontijne Holland acquired Grotnes Metalforming Systems. The most logical name for the new company is Fontijne Grotnes. Combined the company now has over 200 years of experience in developing machines, processes and innovations for diverse metalforming industries.