History of the publishing house: From its founding in Leipzig in 1902 to the present day
Eugen Georg Leuze (born on 8 August 1874 in Reutlingen) founded the trade journal Galvanotechnik in Leipzig in 1902, making it the oldest journal in this field in the world. Another renowned trade journal, the American Metal Finishing, was founded just one year later.
The publishing house was completely destroyed by a direct bomb hit in Leipzig on 4 December 1943, but continued to operate until the end of the war in 1945. Due to the aftermath of the World War, Galvanotechnik was unable to be published from 1946 to 1952. As a result, the journal will not reach its 100th volume (year) until 2009.
Saulgau becomes new publishing headquarters
The new beginning under Heinz Leuze, the second owner, could only take place in Saulgau in 1952 after a seven-year enforced break. It was a coincidence that the new publishing house headquarters in Saulgau was located near Reutlingen, the birthplace of the publishing house founder. The first issue after the war in Saulgau was the November/December 1952 double issue.
Heinz Leuze died unexpectedly during Productronica on 9 November 1983. Since then, his son-in-law, Kurt Reichert, has run the publishing house very successfully together with his wife Sylvia Leuze-Reichert and his sister-in-law Inge Leuze, now in its third generation.
Even after the war, the magazine ‘Galvanotechnik’ remained one of the most important trade journals in the field of metal surface treatment. With up to 4,000 copies published monthly and distributed in 50 countries around the world, it primarily provides information on the electroplating of metals and plastics. In addition, it also informs readers about new process technologies in this sector, from photovoltaics, physical thin films and the recently booming microsystems technology to the still important environmental technology.
New publishing house building
Thanks to his extraordinary commitment and enthusiasm for his work, the publishing house underwent many positive changes during Kurt Reichert's era. In 1987, Leuze Verlag acquired the former German Post Office building in Saulgau and, after 12 months of conversion and renovation, the publishing house moved into the prestigious new publishing building in the heart of Saulgau, which has now become known as ‘Bad’ (spa).
New trade journal ‘PLUS’
In 1999, Kurt Reichert launched a new, second monthly magazine, ‘PLUS - Production of Printed Circuit Boards and Systems’. This new magazine was extremely well received by experts in the field and is now one of the most successful and sophisticated trade journals in the field of electronic circuit technology.
Kurt Reichert died unexpectedly on 23 October 2008 on his way to the publishing house in the morning. He still had countless plans and ideas for his publishing house, which he wanted to realise with enthusiasm and joy in the coming years – this is now the responsibility of his successors.
Libros especializados de alta calidad
Publishing specialist books was one of Kurt Reichert's passions, and under his leadership, Leuze Verlag's specialist book programme was constantly expanded. He invested a great deal of time and considerable resources in this area, as he attached great importance to high book quality and comprehensive coverage of all reader needs. With approximately 150 book titles, Leuze Verlag is now one of the most important providers of technical literature worldwide. Kurt Reichert made Leuze Verlag the leading publisher of publications in the fields of electroplating/surface technology and printed circuit board/electronics production technology, not only in German-speaking countries.
Education and training
In order to give trainees and career changers a better start to their careers, the booklet ‘Galvanotechnik for you’ was launched in 2018. Since then, it has been published quarterly as a supplement to Galvanotechnik magazine and has enjoyed great popularity.
In 2019, the e-learning portal of the same name was launched, offering beginners and professionals digital courses of the highest standard.
Looking to the future
2023 wechselte Klaus Decker vom PLUS-Team in die Geschäftsführung und leitet seitdem gemeinsam mit Sylvia Leuze-Reichert die Geschicke des Verlages. Der Fokus für die Zukunft liegt auf qualitativ hochwertigen Produkten.
Trotz des wachsenden digitalen Angebots bleiben die Werte und Traditionen des Verlages weiterhin das Fundament. Ziel ist es, sowohl die etablierten Printpublikationen zu bewahren als auch innovative digitale Formate zu entwickeln, um den sich wandelnden Bedürfnissen der Leser und Fachleute gerecht zu werden.
