In the beginning there was a humanitarian deed
The impulse for establishing the factory was triggered by the experiences which Dr. Paul Koch gained during the German-French war in 1870/71. A chief staff pharmacist, he followed the fighting army in a field surgical hospital to Paris. The wounded soldiers were tended using extremely primitive means like wooden slats, branches and sticks without achieving medically satisfactory results. The idea to create some radical improvement absorbed Dr. Koch. The experiences gained by Dr. Koch in the medical service during the war prompted him to establish, directed by his medical fellow mate, Dr. von Bruns from Tübingen (1846-1916), a factory for surgical bandage splints and hospital accessories.


1910: Extension cap according to Prof. Heussner
Experts knowing the names of famous surgeons and being familiar in medical engineering will confirm that many medical products from Dr. Paul Koch are essential parts particularly in the treatment of fractures.

1911/12: New factory building
The legacy bequeathed by Dr. Paul Koch to his heirs and successors was the advice to focus on the splint production and to sell the two pharmacies located at Neuffen and Owen. His son Georg Koch followed this advice investing the proceeds into a new factory building which allowed for a broader and more efficient production. This courageous step of Georg Koch was crucial for the further development, since only in this way it was possible to produce the vast quantities of bandage splints needed after the outbreak of the First World War.

50 years’ anniversary
Already in 1929 the company could look back on a 50 years’ tradition. The Global Economic Crisis was a source of serious worries for all economic sectors. So they did without a glittering party, but reviewed the history of the company in a small group of employees and guests.

Business expansion in 1948
Wilhelm Hoss, who had joined the company as an apprentice in 1935, supported the owner actively. His special credit was the planning and execution of the first building extension in 1948 as well as the subsequent second and third construction stages in later years.

1970: Extension device according to Dr. Daubenspeck
Most specialties from the start-up period were constantly improved in accordance with the technical progress. The extensive know-how, more efficient materials and modern production methods continue to ensure that a good idea is preserved, while the product is continuously optimized and improved. The humanitarian basic task undertook by the founder still serves to shape the business mission of Dr. Paul Koch GmbH with a lasting effect.

The General Partner Paul Koch
Wilhelm Hoss managed the business after the death of the owner with a good success and continuously modernized the production until in 1971 when the general partner Paul Koch joined the company in the 4th generation. With Paul Koch the top management was broadened again and the business management was loaded on younger shoulders.

1979: 100 years’ anniversary
Only a few people become hundred years old, and with business enterprises it is not much different. Whenever a company has existed for so many years, it is an occasion for all stakeholders in the sphere of the company to look back. For friends and business partners it is always exciting to learn about how a company managed to hold its ground, to grow and to prosper in spite of adverse conditions.

1998: Certification according to ISO 9001
In 1998 the company introduced a quality management system and was subsequently certified according to the EN DIN ISO 9001 and EN 46001 standards. The subsequent surveillance audits were also passed. Thus the company also meets the growing quality requirements of the market. Today, the product range comprises about 1,500 articles, mostly from the own production, from the segment of positioning and nursing means. Ideas from the start-up period still stand the test of time, combined with innovations, such as microprocessor-controlled, motor-driven rehabilitators which are used after surgeries.

1999: Entry of Paul Christian Koch
Christian Koch, a business economist born in 1970, joined the company in 1999 assuming the responsible task of continuing the business together with the general partner Paul Koch in the 5th generation. Under his management the new Corporate Design was created, the marketing function was reinforced and a comprehensive sales force was established.

2001: Transformation of Dr. Paul Koch KG
Due to a stroke suffered in September 1999, Paul Koch could not continue the management of Dr. Paul Koch KG, and Dr. Paul Koch KG was transformed into a limited liability company in 2001. The managing partner is Paul Christian Koch. The products of the “Dr. Paul Koch” brand are now marketed already in the fifth generation under the new firm name and management.

2002: Relocation to Frickenhausen
Until 2001 Dr. Paul Koch KG had its domicile at Neuffen. In April 2002 the newly founded Dr. Paul Koch GmbH took up its business operation in a new building located in Geiselrain at Frickenhausen. With 15 employees the new young company continues the long-established way of the company history.