ADE-WERK was founded in Offenburg by Arthur Ade. The company´s main focus initially was the production and sale of tow couplings for trucks and passenger cars as well as machine and metal cleaning equipment.

 Expansion of the rotary clothes driers and motor brakes product range as well as exhaust gas valves for commercial motor vehicles. ADE obtained numerous product patents in these sectors.

 Expansion of the awnings and linear electric actuator product range.

 Development of agencies in Europe for the linear electric actuator division.

 Takeover of ADE-WERK GmbH by Jaroslav Seidl as the new managing director and shareholder. ADE electric linear actuators soon achieve a world-wide reputation as a quality product, often pre-specified, due to the robust construction, longevity of operation and precision manufacturing.  ADE actuators are used in the automotive sector, rail- and tramways, aerospace, water treatment, marine engineering, packaging, medical equipment, test and simulation equipment, X-ray machines and large satellite dish antennae.

Expansion of the lifting technology product range. Acquisition of NAGEL scissor lift designs. The development of own-brand  scissor lift begins in parallel.

First installation of a large actuator for canal gates. The experience gained from four decades in the drive technology sector provides the basis for the success of the ADE linear electric actuator as a positioning mechanism for the actuation of sluice gates and weir systems on shipping canals.

Construction of a paint shop and the realisation of the first large contracts for multiple scissor lifting platforms. 145 scissor lifts are delivered to BMW for their production line (Spartanburg, USA).

Ongoing restructuring and expansion of the ADE product range and service programme.  The focus of the company becomes exclusively the development, production and sales of linear electric actuator drive technology and scissor lift platforms.  The company now offers a substantial product range and has achieved international recognition with a customer base of many well-known industrial companies.