Wittenstein SE (stylized as WITTENSTEIN) is a German manufacturer of planetary gearheads, gearing technology, complete electromechanical drive systems and AC servo systems and motors. These products are used, for example, in robotic systems, machine tools, packaging, conveyor systems and process technology, defence equipment, Formula One racing, paper and printing presses, nano technology, stage and lifting technology, the aerospace sector and offshore gas and oil extraction. The company's global headquarters is in Igersheim, Germany with North American headquarters in Bartlett, Illinois. Affiliated companies Wittenstein Alpha GmbH (until 30 June 2008 Alpha Getriebebau) Wittenstein Cyber Motor GmbH Wittenstein Galaxie GmbH Wittenstein Motion control GmbH Wittenstein Motion Control (North America HQ Bartlett, IL) Attocube Systems GmbH Baramundi Software AG History The company was formed as Dewitta in 1949 by two entrepreneurs, Walter Wittenstein and Bruno Dähn, in Steinheim near Heidenheim (Baden-Württemberg). Using borrowed equipment, this small firm specialized in the manufacture of double chainstitch machines for glovemaking. The Steinheim premises soon become too cramped and so the company moved to Bad Mergentheim in 1952. The first production plant was a converted barracks beaf to Eissee lake, originally only intended as an interim solution. In 1963, lack of space forced Dewitta to relocate again – this time to Herrenwiesenstrasse in Igersheim. With fewer and fewer women wearing gloves, sales of machines for making them slumped dramatically in the 1970s. Contract work and diversification into alternative products became increasingly critical factors as the company struggled through this difficult period and soon accounted for half the firm's total sales. Guns for steel nails, machines for filling and sealing tubes, equipment for packing sliced bread, etc. were among the many different products made in Igersheim. At the same time, the way was paved for a new generation to take over the helm. Walter Wittenstein, the textile maker and machine builder, went into gradual retirement and was succeeded by his son, Dr. Manfred Wittenstein. Company founder Walter Wittenstein died in Igersheim in 1988. Shortly after joining the family firm in 1979, Manfred Wittenstein set to work modernising its production and product portfolio. In the search for market opportunities and adequate products with unique attributes, he quickly recognized the potential of low-backlash planetary gearheads. The world's first planetary gearhead (the SP series) was unveiled at the Hanover Fair in 1983. The SP turned out to be so successful that alpha getriebebau was set up soon afterwards as an independent