OUR STORY
We’ve been flooring the world since 1905.
Grabo was founded with the belief that solid craftsmanship builds lasting value. Over the decades, our commitment to quality, creativity and reliability has helped us grow across industries, markets and generations.
Step into our timeline to see how we’ve evolved, and how we’ve stayed true to our foundations.
Grabo was founded with the belief that solid craftsmanship builds lasting value. Over the decades, our commitment to quality, creativity and reliability has helped us grow across industries, markets and generations.
Step into our timeline to see how we’ve evolved, and how we’ve stayed true to our foundations.
1900
1903
Miksa Grab and his sons founded the factory for the manufacturing of dowlas, wax cloth and linoleum flooring
1905
The factory buildings are completed, and partial trial production begins.
1906
The full equipment arrives and is put into operation. From the second half of the year, all production equipment is operational.
1907
With favorable market conditions and production underway, they aim to further develop it. Therefore, just one year after starting production, they also begin manufacturing artificial leather.
1910
1912
By the early 1910s, the company's main profile became the production of nitrocellulose leather. Therefore, the owners sell the linseed oil-based manufacturing technology with exclusive production rights to Ede Keffel, an entrepreneur from Győr.
1914
The factory plays a significant role in war preparations, replacing the production of traditional products with the manufacture of tent canvases, wagon covers, military backpacks, chemical protection suits, and raincoats. This summer, it is declared a war factory.
1920
1923
After serving the needs of warfare, in the 1920s, the factory's products target the needs of the bourgeoisie. To ensure the supply of raw materials, the company Grab M. and Sons, together with Győr merchants Arnold Teltsch and István Rudó, establishes the Grab Textile Industry Ltd.
1930
1936
One of the factory's founders, Emanuel Grab, passes away. In response to the approaching threat of war, the factory once again prepares for the production of military and war-related equipment.
1940
1940
In the 1940s, the factory produces both yarn and finished colorful woven cotton and nitrocellulose leather goods. In the Grabiol plant, they manufacture various handicraft materials, shoe linings, shoe toe stiffeners, and bookbinding fabrics.
1945
During World War II, the factory again operates as a war factory. The bombings do not cause significant damage to the factory site, so production is restarted in the spring of 1945.
1948-50
The factory is nationalized and its name is changed: from 1950, it is known as the Győr Cotton Weaving and Artificial Leather Factory.
1950
1957
With the arrival of Nándor Jankovich as factory manager, the main focus shifts to artificial leather production. To enable the company to introduce new products to the market as quickly as possible, he sets up his own research laboratory.
1958
The factory purchases a line of artificial leather manufacturing machinery that is capable of performing multiple operations on its own, thereby establishing the production of PVC foam artificial leather.
1960
1961
Thanks to the developments, the factory's product range increases significantly, including a family of automotive floor carpets, from which it continuously supplies the Fiat car factory in large quantities.
1966
From this year on, the factory briefly bears the name Grabona.
1970
1969-1972
The company adopts the name Graboplast in the early 1970s, which also becomes a brand name. These are the years of major investments, during which new artificial leather and finishing plants are established. The focus of research and development is on the production of nonwoven fabric.
1980
1980
The facility is expanded with two modern high-rise warehouses.
1988
After Nándor Jankovich's retirement, Péter Jancsó takes over the position of CEO. In this year, the Grabo group of companies is established.
1989
They launch their own foreign trade activities.
1990
1990
The Graboplast Textile and Artificial Leather Manufacturing Plc is established with 30% Western European capital. From this year on, the company's main profile is the production of interior covering and decorative materials.
1994
The company is listed on the stock exchange.
1996
A year of acquisitions. The economic benefits from the acquisitions enable Graboplast to modernize its floor production and launch a wallpaper project.
1997
The company merges with Kesztölci Wallpaper Manufacturing Ltd. Graboplast shares are listed on the Luxembourg stock exchange. Trading of Global Depositary Receipts begins.
1998
A world-class facility capable of producing 4-meter-wide flooring is established in Tatabánya, and Grabofloor Ltd. is founded.
2000
2000
Adapting to changes in the global market, a new engineered wood flooring plant was opened in Kecskemét through a brownfield investment. By the end of the year, Wallis Investment Plc acquires 25.1% of Graboplast's shares.
2004
Withdrawal from the stock exchange. There is an increasing demand for Graboplast's flooring products, with 93% of production being sold on foreign markets.
2006
The end of textile production; from autumn, the company's profile shifts to floor manufacturing, which is reflected in the new name: Graboplast Floor Manufacturing Plc.
2007
Wallpaper production is discontinued.
2010
2013
The waste recycling investment is completed in Tatabánya.
2014-2015
Graboplast gets a new image. The Tatabánya Design Floor Factory investment begins.
2016
Production of PVC products begins at the Design Floor Factory. The parquet factory in Kecskemét is expanded.
2018
They develop self-disinfecting, wear-resistant flooring. The company employs 650 people in Győr, Kecskemét, and Tatabánya.
2019
The surface treatment technology is modernized at the Győr factory.
2020
2021
We launched our new strategy.
2022
An SPC production line investment is made in Tatabánya.
2025
Graboplast celebrates its 120th anniversary. On this occasion, it receives a new, worthy image, during which the brand name also changes: it will continue to operate under the name Grabo 1905.
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