History

Active in Germany for over 30 years. Discover the history of the General Atomics Europe Group.

The General Atomics Europe Group has been active in Germany for over 30 years. Since its foundation / privatization in 1992, our group of companies has grown steadily and has developed into a versatile and reliable provider in the business areas of Aeronautics, Infrastructure and Sustainability. We stand for customer-specific, modern and high-quality solutions.

Take a look at the success story of the General Atomics Europe Group:

1992

The foundation of our group of companies

The American entrepreneurial family Blue sees the potential of the companies of Spezialtechnik Dresden AG, which was administered by the Treuhand after the German reunification, and acquires them. Since privatization in 1992, Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden and Spreewerk Lübben GmbH have been an important part of the technology group.

1993

Spreewerk thermal recycling plant

At Spreewerk Lübben GmbH, the foundation stone is laid for the world's first thermal recycling plant for explosives and ammunition in accordance with the conditions of the 17th BImSchV. The plant is successfully put into operation in 1995.

1995

SGL - first new company in our Group

SGL Spezial- und Bergbau-Servicegesellschaft Lauchhammer mbH is newly integrated into the Group. The company is initially mainly active in the recultivation of post-mining landscapes in Lusatia and Central Germany, thus making an important contribution to structural change in the eastern German lignite mining areas.

1996

B+F Beton- und Fertigteilgesellschaft mbH Lauchhammer

B+F Beton- und Fertigteilgesellschaft mbH Lauchhammer is founded as a new subsidiary of the General Atomics Europe Group. The concrete plant from South Brandenburg manufactures high-quality precast reinforced concrete elements for a wide range of applications in transport, waste disposal, infrastructure and rail transport.

2000

Precast concrete parts for the Lausitzring

For the new construction of the Lausitzring, B+F Beton- und Fertigteilgesellschaft mbH Lauchhammer is supplying 7,500 precast elements (seat steps). Next to the Sachsenring, the Lausitzring is the largest and best-known motor sports racetrack in eastern Germany.

2001

Start of mine rehabilitation in Königstein

Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden developed a new technology for mine rehabilitation and uranium mining at the Königstein site in Saxon Switzerland for Wismut GmbH. This was operated successfully for two decades until 2021.

EST Energetics GmbH

EST Energetics GmbH becomes a company of the General Atomics Europe Group after the majority shares have been acquired. Batteries, ammunition, pyrotechnics and other explosives are disposed of at the Rothenburg/Upper Lusatia site. This further strengthens the sustainability business area.

2002

GBM Gleisbaumechanik Brandenburg/H. GmbH

The former Deutsche Bahn special plant in Kirchmöser is acquired by the General Atomics Europe Group and now bears the name GBM Gleisbaumechanik Brandenburg/H. GmbH. The Kirchmöser district of the city of Brandenburg an der Havel has been a traditional site of the rail industry for more than 100 years, where special rail vehicles are manufactured, maintained and modernized.

2006

Precast concrete parts for the BMW plant in Leipzig

For the BMW plant in Leipzig, which was opened in 2005, B+F Beton- und Fertigteilgesellschaft mbH Lauchhammer is supplying various types of highly specific cable ducts.

2014

Longest canal in the Lusatian Lakeland

Between the Spreetaler See and the Sabrodter See, the longest canal of the Lusatian Lakeland with a length of more than 2.5 kilometers is being built with the cooperation of SGL Spezial- und Bergbau-Servicegesellschaft Lauchhammer GmbH. SGL is building a ship lock and completing the canal route.

2019

A new name for the Group

Spezialtechnik Dresden GmbH becomes General Atomics Europe GmbH - a milestone in worldwide cooperation and a strong commitment of the owner to the German Group.

With PTE, the Aeronautics Business Area is created

The group acquires GA PrecisionTech Europe GmbH from Oelsnitz in the Erzgebirge. The production of assemblies for the aerospace industry creates the third business segment of the General Atomics Europe Group: Aerospace.

2021

Key technology for rare earth elements

With the key technology of Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden for the separation of rare earth elements, the General Atomics Group receives a groundbreaking order from the American DoE (Department of Energy) for the construction of a corresponding technology plant.

General Atomics AeroTec Systems becomes part of our Group

General Atomics AeroTec Systems GmbH with approximately 400 employees becomes part of the General Atomics Europe Group. At its Oberpfaffenhofen site, the company takes over production of the legendary Do228, maintenance, modernization and painting of business jets and MRO services for military helicopters.

Construction of the exhibition center in Gdansk

In Poland, B+F Beton- und Fertigteilgesellschaft mbH Lauchhammer fulfills one of the largest orders in the company's history. The company is supplying a total of 469 track slabs and 710 intermediate slabs for the construction of the new exhibition center in Gdansk.

First Do228 under new management

At the end of 2021, General Atomics AeroTec Systems GmbH will deliver the first Do228 from its own production just a few months after taking over the site. The Do228 received special mission equipment for use in South-East Asia. The second aircraft will follow just 6 months later.

2022

30 years General Atomics Europe

The General Atomics Europe Group , headquartered in Dresden, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Shortly after German reunification, it was taken over as Spezialtechnik Dresden GmbH by the owner of the family-run US company General Atomics. Today, General Atomics Europe and its nine subsidiaries are an integrated technology group for aviation, infrastructure and sustainability.

2023

Germany's most modern concrete mixing plant

B+F Beton- und Fertigteilgesellschaft mbH Lauchhammer opens Germany's most modern concrete mixing plant in Lauchhammer, which will enable the company to produce reinforced concrete elements even more environmentally friendly and efficiently in the future. It is one of the biggest single investments in the company's history.

Do228 NXT - The Next Generation of the Do228

General Atomics AeroTec Systems announces the restart of small-scale production of the Dornier 228 NXT (Do228 NXT). Starting in 2025, at least five aircraft are to be produced annually at the Oberpfaffenhofen site. This marks the start of the next chapter in the Do228 success story.

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News

Our success story continues: The companies of the General Atomics Europe Group are currently working on exciting and innovative projects. You can find the latest information on this in our news portal.