Things worth knowing about COLOP
The company COLOP Stempelerzeugung Skopek GmbH & Co. KG is an independent commercial company which deals with the development, production, assembly and distribution of modern stamp and marking devices.
COLOP is regarded as one of the region's flagship companies and is a global player within the industry with an export rate of nearly 98 % and more than 120 export markets supplied on a regular basis.
COLOPs business policy
Find out more about COLOP's vision, mission, and environmental principles.Facts & Figures
Managing Director, CEO &
Managing Director, CSO-
Christoph Skopek &
Franz Ratzenberger
-
Christoph Skopek &
Company Foundation
- 1980/1981
0m0
Production plants- Wels/AT: 9500 m2
- Borovany/CZ: 3700 m2
0 Affiliated companies
- Austria | Germany | United Kingdom | Sweden | Slovakia | France | Bulgaria
- Belgium | Romania | Czech Republic | Hungary | Spain | Poland | China | India | USA
COLOP worldwide
- 500 employees
- customers in more than 130 markets
0% Export rate
0
stamp imprints- with a COLOP stamp
- is our quality standard
The COLOP team
We are proud of our highly qualified team at the COLOP headquarters in Wels, Austria.Our employees say...
Philipp Pointner
Injection Molding
"I appreciate the collaboration with my work colleagues and the modern factory."
Sandra Danninger
Customer Service
"I very much appreciate the good working atmosphere at COLOP and working in a great team. As well as the exciting and varied assignments in cooperation with our worldwide customers."
Working at COLOP
Exciting and varied work environment with an international background in a modern production company.
Our history
1980
Foundation of COLOP
COLOP is founded by Karl Skopek in the winter of 1980/81.
1981
COLOP Quick
In 1981, Karl Skopek starts working as a sole trader on a farm in Fischlham, producing a new self-inking line called Quick.
1984
Relocation to current site
It soon becomes clear that the company needs to significantly expand its production site so, in 1984, COLOP relocates to its current site in Dr.-Arming-Straße in Wels.
1985
COLOP distribution partners
Within a short space of time, COLOP – the newcomer to the stamp-making industry – is seen as a driving force in the sector. There are active representatives operating in several countries from the outset. These COLOP distribution partners lay the foundations for rapid growth in their respective markets.
1985
COLOP Soft
COLOP Soft launches in the mid-1980s.
1986
COLOP Germany
1986 sees the establishment of COLOP’s subsidiary in Germany, which remains one of the company’s key markets to this very day.
1987
First Classic Line stamp
Since being introduced, COLOP’s first Classic Line stamp has been an ideal combination of solid metal for stability and plastic for smooth operation.
1991
Management is extended
Karl Skopek promotes shareholder Ernst Faber from his role as general manager to work alongside him in the position of joint executive manager.
1991
COLOP France
COLOP strengthens its global sales network by opening a sales office in France.
1992
COLOP Slovakia
The company invests in COLOP Slovakia.
1992
First ’round self-inking stamps’
The innovative creation of the first ’round self-inking stamps’ paves the way for COLOP to successfully enter the Eastern European market.
1993
Second production facility
One particular milestone in COLOP’s history is the opening of a second production facility in Borovany (CZ) in November 1993. The site starts life with just a few machines set up in a very basic building.
1993
L Series
COLOP unveils its new L Series, the precursor to today’s best-selling Printer series.
1996
COLOP Mini-Dater
COLOP introduces the COLOP Mini-Dater, which at the time was the smallest self-inking plate date stamp in the world.
1997
Printer series
Just one year later, COLOP launches another high-quality range of self-inking stamps. Known as the Printer series, it quickly develops into a best-selling line. Today it is still the epitome of state-of-the-art plastic stamps.
1998
Office Line
COLOP releases another brand-new range of stamps known as the Office Line. The Office Line comprises compact plastic self-inking stamps, which are particularly suitable for everyday modern office work due to their ease of use.
2000
COLOP Romania
In 2000, COLOP Romania joins the COLOP Group. This development marks an important strategic step in Southeast Europe.
2000
Pocket Stamp
In this year, COLOP also creates a product which the market had been in need of for a long time – the Pocket Stamp for use on the go.
2003
COLOP Bulgaria
COLOP invests in COLOP Bulgaria.
2004
Redesign of Printer Standard Line
In 2004, the company turns its attention to redesigning the Printer Standard Line.
The addition of the extra large image window in particular attracts significant interest and attention.
2005
Karl Skopek passes away
The company’s founder, Karl Skopek, passes away on 24 June 2005. With more than 40 years of service within the industry, his death means the loss of one of the stamp-making sector’s most important personalities.
2005
Ernst Faber, sole CEO
Following Karl’s death, Ernst Faber takes the lead as COLOP’s sole managing director. Alongside his team, he continues working hard to keep COLOP’s spirit of innovation alive.
2006
Mark C. Brown & Unigraphics
Unigraphics (Sweden) and Mark C. Brown (now COLOP UK) are incorporated into the COLOP Group.
2006
Redesign of Classic Line
COLOP sets the next benchmark in the stamp-making sector by redesigning and improving its successful Classic Line.
2007
EOS Line
COLOP launches a new range of products known as the EOS Line. This series comprises a new type of pre-inked stamp made using flash technology.
2008
Green Line
One further milestone in COLOP’s company history is the introduction of the Green Line. COLOP becomes the first company in the stamp-making industry to bring a series of ‘green’ stamps made predominantly from recycled plastic to the market.
2008
Stamp Mouse
Another highlight this year is the launch of the new Stamp Mouse, a unique pocket stamp with a simple click mechanism – all users have to do is press the two buttons and the stamp is ready to go!
2009
Compact Printer
This year sees the introduction of the Compact Printer, a further attractive range of stamps which meets the need of modern offices.
2010
Stamps with Microban® antibacterial protection
COLOP unveils the stamp-making industry’s latest innovation. The company becomes the first stamp manufacturer worldwide to include products with Microban® antibacterial protection in its portfolio.
2010
Expert Line
2010 also sees the launch of COLOP’s Expert Line, a series of self-inking stamps made from more than 80% pure steel.
2011
Printer Liquid Wood
COLOP begins to sell its Liquid Wood Printer in 2011. Made from liquid wood – an innovative and pioneering bioplastic based on wood – this stamp represents another unique product to join the stamping world.
2012
Expansion COLOP CZ
COLOP prides itself on manufacturing its products in Austria or other European countries. In 2012, the company considerably expands its production site in Borovany (CZ).
2012
R+C (Hungary)
COLOP also acquires the Hungarian company R+C. This company had been a successful distribution partner for the Hungarian market for decades and had gained an extremely strong foothold in the stamp-making industry.
2013
COLOP Spain & COLOP UK
COLOP founds its own subsidiary in Spain and merges its companies in the United Kingdom to form COLOP UK.
2013
Extension in Wels and Borovany
COLOP completes comprehensive extensions work at its head office in Wels and at its site in Borovany (CZ), putting in place the infrastructure needed to significantly increase production capacity once again.
2014
Relaunch Printer Standard
2014 sees the launch of the seventh generation of COLOP’s bestseller – the Printer Standard series. The latest Printer range features a unique and state-of-the-art design and stands out thanks to numerous innovations and improvements.
2014
Pocket Stamp Plus
Having presented the first of its smart Pocket Stamps for everyday use more than ten years ago, COLOP announces a new pocket stamp, the Pocket Stamp Plus, in 2014. With its automatic slide mechanism, this innovative new stamp takes the successful concept to the next level.
2016
COLOP Polska
COLOP Polska becomes the latest valuable member of the COLOP Group.
2017
Redesign Office Line
COLOPs Office Line gets a new look. The result is a new Green Line model made of 75% recycled plastics, in a modern, light design.
2017
Expansion India and China
The entire Asian market with more than 4 billion inhabitants is becoming increasingly important for COLOP. In order to be able to handle a substantial part of the Asian market directly and immediately, COLOP established sales offices in the metropolis Mumbai in India and Guangzhou in China.
2018
Founding of COLOP Digital
The subsidiary COLOP Digital is founded in Wels and a milestone is set in the future direction of COLOP.
COLOP Digital deals with the development of electronic and digital marking devices as well as the associated software and app solutions.
COLOP Digital deals with the development of electronic and digital marking devices as well as the associated software and app solutions.
2019
Founding of COLOP Arts and Crafts
In March 2019, COLOP takes over the “Arts & Crafts” area of the Belgian-Dutch company RoyalPosthumus and enters the trendy creative, gift and hobby sector with stamp products.
2019
COLOP e-mark Launch
In summer 2019, COLOP launches an innovative mobile printer/digital stamp – the COLOP e-mark. This world first is well received by customers and international award panels alike.
2020
COLOP e-mark create Launch
In mid-2020, a mobile printer with its own app was introduced: the e-mark create. It is ideally designed for private users and for creative use: handicrafts, designing, personalising, organising, preparations for events and parties and much more.
2020
Protect Kids Stamp Launch
The Protect Kids Stamp was developed out of necessity amid the corona pandemic and quickly launched on the market. Children are playfully reminded to wash their hands regularly with the stamp imprint of a virus monster.
2021
Executive Management is expanded
Christoph Skopek, son of the company’s founder Karl Skopek, strengthens the Executive Management alongside Ernst Faber.
2022
Retirement of Mr. Faber as Managing Director
After 37 successful years at COLOP, 31 of them as Managing Director, Ernst Faber is taking his well-deserved retirement.
2022
New management at COLOP
Franz Ratzenberger, long-time head of sales and marketing at COLOP, becomes second managing director alongside Christoph Skopek.
2022
Expansion USA
COLOP has now established its own sales subsidiary in the USA in order to be able to offer the entire product range under one umbrella brand and to develop long-term strategies for the US market.
