Böttcher’s history is the story of a continuous effort to improve and perfect printing technology. In 1878, the company began to manufacture gelatin printing rollers in Leipzig, Germany.

In the 1930’s Böttcher abandoned the gelatin coverings and began to produce rubber coverings-first with natural rubber then with synthetic rubber. During the 1940’s Böttcher’s factories were destroyed by war, and the Leipzig properties were confiscated by the East Germany. The company constructed new facilities in Cologne, West Germany in 1948.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s Böttcher scientists made many technological breakthroughs with the invention of new compounds of rubber and polyurethane. Their discoveries led to the use of elastomer roller coverings in printing and other industries. Böttcher began to supply rollers to the steel, aluminum, plastic, paper, textile, and wood industries, and to expand research on photocopying and reprographic technologies.

In 1974 Böttcher goes international, expanding to Italy, France and United Kingdom. In 1983 Böttcher established Böttcher America, headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland. In 1987 they added a second manufacturing facility in the US. At about the same time KB Roller Tech, a joint venture formed between Böttcher and Kinyosha, was formed to manufacture rollers for copiers.

The 1990’s have been the decade of aggressive expansion, beginning with the return of the Leipzig plant after the unification of Germany. Through growth and acquisitions Böttcher expanded into Canada, Spain, France, Austria, Eastern Europe, South East Asia, South America, and built a second plant in the U.S.. Böttcher also expanded its product line to include escalator handrails and cleaning agents.