1979 

Foundation of the Electro Optic Group at Johne & Reilhofer by Dr. Gerhard Rösler. Johne & Reilhofer was mainly producing telemetry transmitters. 

1981

The first spectrophotometer ER10 was produced. This instrument has had a 45°:0° geometry and was developed as a moveable color measurement system used in the laboratory or in the field. The outstanding feature was the real 1 nm optical resolution of both spectral analysers.

1985

The ER10 was modified to measure On-Line directly in the process. Many customers discovered the advantages of the On-Line measurement and established the guideline for the future of the group.

1987

A new spectrophotometer was introduced in the market. The ER50 with a 45°:0° geometry was first developed for the laboratory, and it had a much better performance.

1988

The logical consequence of the product range was the modification of the ER50 to a real On-Line instrument ER50PA. The automatic calibration right in the process was just one of the highlights of the instrument.

1989

The new product of the ER50 family was the ER50PAF. With this instrument the optical brightener of white products can be measured. The base whiteness as well as the whiteness including optical brightener can be measured separately.

1989

The Electro Optic Group from Johne & Reilhofer was separated and became a sister to the American Macbeth company under the holding of Kollmorgen Instruments Ltd. The new name of the German On-Line Team was Kollmorgen Instruments GmbH.

1989

In the same year the ER51 was developed. This was the first Gonio Spectrophotometer in the world to measure metallic paints and other effect coatings with 12 different angles – again with 1 nm optical resolution.

1990

The ER53, a d:8° geometry instrument was developed. This instrument is just used in the laboratory, because a d:8° geometry has to touch the product during the measurement. Fro this reason it can not be used directly in the machine.

1992

A new Spectrophotometer was developed for the glass coating industry. The ER54PA is also an On-Line instrument which measures the direct reflectance on glass panes in +15°:-15°.

1997

The new software ESWin is substituting the old DOS based Software. This gives new possibilities in handling and display of color measurement data.

1997

The American Macbeth company and the German Kollmorgen Instruments GmbH are merging with the Swiss Gretag company based in Regensdorf. The new Headquarter is in Switzerland, the company is registered at the Swiss Stock Exchange with the name GretagMacbeth.

1998

The first Closed Loop Color Control system is installed in Norway. A shade change is now as easy as clicking a button on the computer.

2000

A new instrument was developed for transparent plastic films and panes. The ER55PA is measuring not only color but also Haze, Light Transmission and the UV-cap layer.

2002

The color of multilayer coated glass panes is changing by the viewing angle. Therefore, the ER56PA was developed. This spectrophotometer measures not only with +15°:-15°, but also +60°:-60°. It ensures the right color at any viewing conditions.

2006

A low cost version for the pulp measurement was developed. The ER40WF can be used to measure whiteness and brightness in the pulp. The optical brightener can be separated and an analogue output can be used for the bleaching control in the DIP manufacturing process.

2006

GretagMacbeth was acquired by X-Rite, an American company which produces mainly portable instruments for the automotive and printing industry. After few months, the former GretagMacbeth CEO Tom Vacchiano became the CEO of the “New X-Rite” company.

2007

The movable filter of the ER50PAF was replaced by a mathematical function. This is not only easier to use, but gives also much more stable measurements.

2007

The first new sensor ERX50 was shipped to USA. This instrument substitutes the ER50PA and ER50PAF instruments. The 45°:0° geometry has again a real optical 1 nm resolution; based on new technology. It is much more stable and easier to service.

2008

To get the instrument off the running machine, a new frame EFX was developed.

And we are not finished yet...