{"id":1163,"date":"2025-06-02T13:47:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T11:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fortalgroup.com\/fortal-group\/the-history-of-fortal-group\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T16:36:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T14:36:57","slug":"the-history-of-fortal-group","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.fortalgroup.com\/en\/fortal-group\/the-history-of-fortal-group\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Fortal Group"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1776436615808{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”full-width-to-tablet”][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1763562225695{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n

The History of Fortal Group<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1763562246887{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Since 1981, Fortal Group has evolved from a craftsman manufacturing wooden ladders in Alsace to an innovative and recognised mid-sized company specialising in secure height access solutions. Over the decades, its growth has been driven by constant innovation, aluminium production expertise and several strategic acquisitions, expanding its know-how to ladders, scaffolding, platforms, shelving and bespoke solutions.<\/p>\n

Today, with over 190 employees and a national and international presence, Fortal Group remains true to its core values: safety, quality and customer proximity.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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1981<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Acquisition of FORTAL<\/div>

Jacques Ruffenach and Bernard Grewey acquire FORTAL, a wooden ladder manufacturing company based in Barr (Alsace), with an initial workforce of 3 employees and revenue of 1 million French francs. The company progressively specializes in aluminium, reaching 5.9 million French francs in revenue and 10 employees by 1987.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

1983<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Foundation of MASTOK<\/div>

Foundation of MASTOK (handling and storage equipment company), later absorbed into ECHAMAT<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

1988<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Foundation of ECHAMAT<\/div>

Foundation of ECHAMAT, specializing in scaffolding and height access equipment sales<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

1990<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Acquisition of MEC’AGRA<\/div>

Acquisition of MEC’AGRA (Mechanical and Metal Construction of Gertwiller), which was later absorbed into FORTAL<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2007<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
The FORTAL Group has 120 employees<\/div>

The FORTAL Group employs 120 people and achieves \u20ac19 million in turnover<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2008<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Acquisition of KERNST<\/div>

Acquisition of KERNST (Fegersheim), experts in the distribution and resale of construction equipment and materials<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2021<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Acquisition of ACBI<\/div>

Acquisition of ACBI (\u00cele-de-France), a specialist in fall protection and height safety solutions<\/p>\n

\"Acquisition<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2024<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
FORTAL reaches 180 employees<\/div>

FORTAL reaches 180 employees and a turnover of \u20ac58 million<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

2025<\/span><\/div><\/div>
January 1<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
Acquisition of ORESA<\/div>

Acquisition of ORESA (Alsace), specializing in space planning, furnishing and shelving solutions<\/p>\n

\"Acquisition<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1776436615808{margin-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”full-width-to-tablet”][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1763562225695{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”] The History of Fortal Group [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1763562246887{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Since 1981, Fortal Group has evolved from a craftsman manufacturing wooden ladders in Alsace to an innovative and recognised mid-sized company specialising in secure height access solutions. 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