Company History

1930s

Wilhelm Steenbeck leaves the company in order to pursue his own business, focused on precision engineering, and August Harder continues with Harder & Steenbeck on his own, and he switches the production focus on to manufacturing of accessories for the booming car industry.

Such companies as Opel, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz, are producing the first German cars. They use parts, including grease fittings and switches for starters, produced by Harder & Steenbeck.

Company History

From 1950

After the war, due to the lack of demand for sonar-systems, Harder & Steenbeck starts the production of paint spraying equipment. Initially, due to the new field of production, foreign models are copied. However with time own, proprietary designs are created and developed.

First models are the considered the following: Lüster, Majo, Autograph, Foto, Zeisig, Stieglitz, Marabu, Pelikan and Universal. Models such as Lüster and Majo are equipped with different sets of nozzles, created according to requirements of the customers.

Their nozzle sizes cover the range from 0.3 to 1.0 mm in diameter. Autograph and Foto are tools for precision. They are furnished with 0.2 mm nozzles, and used especially for photo retouching. The spray guns are sold to graphic designers, retouching companies, artists and painters. The porcelain doll and toy industries, located mainly in southern Germany, feature the highest demands for the airbrushes. Early on the company already supplies other European countries (such as Denmark, Finland and Switzerland).

Company History

From 1954

New models are introduced: Prima, Meteor, Condor, Consul, Ultra. The product range now includes the blow-out device called “Ultra A”, which resembles the Airblower featured later in 2010.

Harder & Steenbeck’s major customers include porcelain manufactories such as “Rosenthal”, “Schacht & Westerich” and “Königliche private Porzellanmanufaktur Fettau”. In addition to this development, suitable air connectors (connecting elements) are produced, which can be used with other air-operated devices.

Company History

1975

The company founder August Harder dies. His nephew Hans Harder and an employee, take over the company’s leadership. In addition to paint spraying equipment, the company has been manufacturing small mechanical machines, such as onion-slicers, wind indicators and tube-folding machines since the early 1950s. The production will continue until the 1980s.

Another important line of business for Harder & Steenbeck is the contract manufacturing of paint spraying equipment and various other metal goods. To this date date, Harder & Steenbeck supplies porcelain and toy manufacturing businesses, medical and cosmetics companies and many other dealers, with specially developed unique custom airbrush models.

Company History

1996

For the first time in over 40 years, Harder & Steenbeck presents two new airbrush models: Grafo and Colani. With the Grafo the company introduces universally interchangeable nozzle sets. In the following years, this design will be extended (especially in regards to the Evolution) a modular construction system which is spanning across various models.

This provides the customers with flexible conversion options and grants the company with higher efficiency in assembly and warehousing. The Colani is based on the technology and functionality of its predecessor, the 1954 Ultra. Harder & Steenbeck commissions famous German designer Luigi Colani to design and color the handle; he is also the one, who lends his name to the device.

Company History

1998

The company launches the Evolution airbrush. The Evolution is considered the company’s biggest success and most sold airbrush, which makes Harder & Steenbeck to what it is today. Starting with the launch of the airbrush, until 2013, the company will sell a total of over 80,000 Evolution model airbrushes.

Company History

2006

The new Ultra airbrush is launched! This low-price model for a small budget, adopts the name of the earlier successful Harder & Steenbeck product but is completely new in its design, quality and engineering.

Company History

2007

Harder & Steenbeck introduces the Infinity airbrush. This model puts completely new standards in place in both its design and functionality! It will become the company’s top sold airbrush, next to the Evolution. In the same year the company goes onto the global market and starts the sales in the US, being represented by Anke Matthiessen (CEO Jens Matthiessen’s sister) and Mike Littlefield. “Harder & Steenbeck USA” is based in Brooksville, Florida.

Company History

2009

The company relocates its company headquaters one more time from Oststeinbek to Norderstedt. It changes its name from Harder & Steenbeck Metallwarenfabrik e.K. to Harder & Steenbeck GmbH & Co. KG. Using a storage lift system, introduced in 2008, the company now has around 1,000 square meters of high-rack space at its disposal, as well as additional storage capacity of several hundred square meters.

This ensures faster delivery, improves inventory management and caters for faster operations during the final assembly. Production processes are optimized according to ISO standards in order to ensure maximum reliability. In addition Harder & Steenbeck plays a key-role in the founding and establishment of the “Airbrush-Fachverband e. V.”, and CEO Jens Matthiessen is elected to be part of its committee.

Company History

2011

For the first time, Harder & Steenbeck offers a multi-coated and chrome-finished CR Plus version for its product lines Infinity and Evolution.

Company History

2024

Harder & Steenbeck now employs a team of over 40 people and has quadrupled its sales and production over the last 10 years. We’re very proud of the inclusive and supportive company culture that we value here, and hope that you feel it from us too through our products and social media content. 

Company History

2024

In 2024 the company is 101 years old, and has completely re-invented the ULTRA, EVOLUTION and INFINITY airbrushes, introducing Titanium into airbrush production for a global first. If you are already a customer, or thinking of becoming one, thank you for joining us!