History
1937
Around 1937, Professor Sven Johansson, a former consultant at the Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg and a surgeon, started conducting experiments to improve the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. He was the first to attempt to stop or prevent the corrosion process using the chemical compound “dinitro-ortho-cresol.” This led to the creation of a product that would become known as DINITROL. Johansson filed patents for this in about 25 countries. The pharmaceutical company ASTRA became his industrial partner.
1939 – 1942
In 1939, ASTRA, a large pharmaceutical company, took over the company Tika in Stockholm. Three years later, in 1942, Tika registered a subsidiary, AB TIKAMIN, with the business purpose of “trading in movable and immovable goods.” In the same year, ASTRA acquired the “Fabriken för Arzneimittel und Wasser” from pharmacist Paul G. Nordström in Hässleholm. AB Hässle was registered as a pharmaceutical company. In 1944, the company in Hässleholm was restructured into “AB Hässle-Paul Nordströms Fabriken” and later “AB Hässle-Tika.”
1947
In 1947, ASTRA founded “AB TIKAMIN” a company to produce corrosion protection agents, household, cosmetic, and personal care products. In this context, the DINITROL brand was revived, reintroduced, and marketed as a corrosion protection agent.
1955
Body oil was now sold in larger quantities to Svenska Stålpressnings AB in Olofström – to protect the bodies of Volvo trucks during transport to Gothenburg. These deliveries accounted for about 80% of sales for several years.
1959
Breakthrough of DINITROL as a means for general corrosion protection treatment of vehicles.
1960 – 1962
The ML method was born. In the early 1960s, Helge Persson, Professor of Corrosion Protection at DINOL, developed spray diagrams for various cars – with instructions and specifications for tools, equipment, and products for corrosion protection treatment.
1961
Introduction of DINITROL 112. This sought-after product competes with even the fiercest rivals. Initially manufactured under license by Daubert Chemical Co., USA, it opened up a large market for TIKAMIN. In the same year, several advertisements appear in Sweden, warning of cracks in the corrosion protection film with a pattern resembling crocodile skin. The product becomes widely known as “Crocodile.”
1964 – 1965
Subsidiaries in Norway, Denmark, and Finland open DINITROL CENTER sales outlets.
1967 – 1976
Sales of DINITROL products begin in 37 countries with 2,000 franchise stations.
1970
TIKAMIN is renamed ASTRA-DINOL.
1972
The network expands from 1972 with the introduction of DINITROL CENTERS. Thus, providing the opportunity to establish the brand name DINITROL as the common denominator of the system. Under this new name, the system spreads throughout Europe and becomes the leading brand for corrosion protection. In the same year, ASTRA-DINOL acquires a majority stake in Tuff-Kote Inc. from Warren, a suburb of Detroit.
1973 – 1978
Tuff-Kote expands to the Far East. With sophisticated technology, marketing, and hard work, Tuff-Kote becomes the market leader in several countries in this region, including Japan.
1977
The company is renamed Tuff-Kote DINOL (TKD) and soon becomes the market leader on the American continent.
1982
Entry into the corrosion protection business in the aviation segment with Deutsche Lufthansa and SAAB.
1983
Breakthrough for DINOL Engineering with the automation of cavity sealing with corrosion protection agents in the automotive industry.
1991
Acquisition by the EMS-TOGO Group. DINOL production and application technology become part of EMS-TOGO.
1997
DINOL celebrates 50 years of serving markets and customers.
1998
Acquisition of Pyrmo Chemie GmbH in Lügde, Germany, to expand expertise in body repair and related areas. Integration of companies and the sales representative network.
2004
A large part of the facility in Lügde is destroyed by fire. A new production unit for body repair products and a global logistics center are established.
2005
Launch of the Bus-Rail-Truck (BTR) business.
2006
Relocation of DINOL’s headquarters to Lügde. The company is renamed EFTEC Aftermarket GmbH. The production unit in Lügde is integrated into EFTEC Aftermarket GmbH. EFTEC Aftermarket GmbH becomes a training company and offers apprenticeships for the first time.
2010
Acquisition of EFTEC Aftermarket GmbH by FACILITAS NV. The company is renamed DINOL GmbH.
2012
The Würth Group, whose core business is the trade of assembly and fastening materials, acquires DINOL GmbH and Diffutherm B.V. The Würth Group consists of 400 companies in 80 countries with over 66,000 employees. The acquisition ensures the development, production, and global distribution of the DINITROL and DEKALIN brands.
2014
The PURVA production unit is established. At the Lügde site, the filling of windshield adhesives is now carried out in-house in the new production unit.
2018
The training centre and conference room at the Lügde site are modernized to conduct training and meetings in a pleasant atmosphere with modern technical equipment.
2019
Relaunch of the DINITROL brand. At the agents’ meeting in September, DINITROL is presented to the contract partners for the first time in its new design.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic becomes the dominant topic in 2020. Spring is marked by lockdowns in Europe and the USA, and the consequences of these measures do not leave DINOL unaffected. Despite all the challenges, DINOL manages to become active again in Germany with the DINITROL brand. As part of the station concept, the first workshops are contracted as licensees after many years.
2021
DINOL launches the DINITROL online shop in Germany at the beginning of the year. The additional sales channel is intended to serve small workshop customers based in Germany. Effective February 1, DINOL acquires the DEKALIN brand. DEKALIN stands for high-quality adhesives and sealants for caravanning, motorhome, and camper van sectors. The acquisition benefits DINOL from the strong position the DEKALIN brand has held in the caravan market for many years. By expanding the product portfolio and acquiring know-how, DINOL expects many great opportunities and synergies to further expand its success.
2022
DINITROL celebrates its 75th anniversary. First introduced to the market in 1947, the DINITROL brand has, over three-quarters of a century, made DINOL a leading provider of corrosion protection and more for new and used vehicles, classic cars, transport and rail vehicles, agricultural and construction machinery, municipal vehicles, and mechanical engineering. DINITROL celebrates this occasion with well-established partners who have accompanied the brand on its journey so far.
