Chronicle
Since 1918.
Milestones from three generations of machine building and infrastructure technology – from a locksmith’s workshop in Scheßlitz to sites all over the world.
Archive photos: ZECK anniversary chronicle 1918–2023
1st generation
1918 Founded in Scheßlitz
In the late autumn of 1918, Michael Zeck went into business for himself, opened a locksmith’s workshop and specialised in mechanical engineering. His workshop: a half-timbered house with three garage doors at Altenbach 19.
Altenbach 19 – first operating location in Scheßlitz until 1928
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
1st generation
1927/28 Head office in the Oberend
From 1924, Michael Zeck traded in agricultural machinery, and on 10 November 1927 he was granted the concession for a filling station. At the turn of the year 1927/28, the business moved to the Oberend – its head office for 65 years.
65 years of head office: Oberend 21, Scheßlitz
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
2nd generation
1947–1953 The second generation
Fritz Zeck joined his parents’ company in 1947 and received his master craftsman’s certificate on 22 May 1953. In the time of the economic miracle, father and son began to manufacture their own machines and equipment.
The workforce in the Oberend
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
2nd generation
1973 Into overhead line construction
In the early 1960s came the kick-off for overhead line construction: the first machines were built at ZECK. Around 1973 followed the mobile puller-tensioner WB 1500 with drum stand and drum drive – one of the world’s first.
ZECK puller-tensioner WB 1500 in operation
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
2nd generation
1978–1984 Around the world with SIEMENS
Within a few years the machines were in use worldwide, for example in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. In 1978 on the Elbe crossing near Stade with the largest overhead line towers in the world at that time, in 1983 across the Bosporus from Europe to Asia.
Technical highlight 1984: the synchronisation system developed by ZECK for SIEMENS, demonstrated in Vienna
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
3rd generation
1992/93 Passing the torch
In 1992, Michael Zeck took over in the third generation. In 1992/93 the new building was realised, and the entire company moved with almost 30 employees from the head office in the town centre to the district of Burgellern.
The first production hall in Burgellern, 1993
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
3rd generation
since 2008 Across fjords and continents
Since 2008, ZECK has been involved in fjord crossings in Norway with spans of up to 5,500 m. ZECK Thailand was founded in Bangkok in 2010.
Fjord crossing in Norway
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
3rd generation
2013/14 On the rails
ZECK entered the railway business in 1996; the first major project was the TGV line from Seoul to Busan. In 2013/14, the 57 km St. Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest rail tunnels in the world, was electrified with machines from ZECK.
Electrification of the St. Gotthard Tunnel
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
3rd generation
2018 A hundred years of ZECK
In October 2018, ZECK celebrated its first century. In October 2022, the ZECK Training Academy started operations, and the fourth generation is already waiting in the wings.
The ZECK team, Scheßlitz 2018
Transitions between the photos: AI-generated
Scheßlitz-Burgellern
Today At home in Burgellern
Head office and plant in Scheßlitz-Burgellern: development, manufacturing and service under one roof. A family business in its third generation, its machines in use worldwide.
Scheßlitz-Burgellern plant
The history at a glance.
Read every era of the film at your own pace – with the captions of the ZECK anniversary chronicle 1918–2023.
1918
1st generation
Founded in Scheßlitz
In the late autumn of 1918, Michael Zeck went into business for himself, opened a locksmith’s workshop and specialised in mechanical engineering. His workshop: a half-timbered house with three garage doors at Altenbach 19.
Altenbach 19 – first operating location in Scheßlitz until 1928
1927/28
1st generation
Head office in the Oberend
From 1924, Michael Zeck traded in agricultural machinery, and on 10 November 1927 he was granted the concession for a filling station. At the turn of the year 1927/28, the business moved to the Oberend – its head office for 65 years.
65 years of head office: Oberend 21, Scheßlitz
1947–1953
2nd generation
The second generation
Fritz Zeck joined his parents’ company in 1947 and received his master craftsman’s certificate on 22 May 1953. In the time of the economic miracle, father and son began to manufacture their own machines and equipment.
The workforce in the Oberend
1973
2nd generation
Into overhead line construction
In the early 1960s came the kick-off for overhead line construction: the first machines were built at ZECK. Around 1973 followed the mobile puller-tensioner WB 1500 with drum stand and drum drive – one of the world’s first.
ZECK puller-tensioner WB 1500 in operation
1978–1984
2nd generation
Around the world with SIEMENS
Within a few years the machines were in use worldwide, for example in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. In 1978 on the Elbe crossing near Stade with the largest overhead line towers in the world at that time, in 1983 across the Bosporus from Europe to Asia.
Technical highlight 1984: the synchronisation system developed by ZECK for SIEMENS, demonstrated in Vienna
1992/93
3rd generation
Passing the torch
In 1992, Michael Zeck took over in the third generation. In 1992/93 the new building was realised, and the entire company moved with almost 30 employees from the head office in the town centre to the district of Burgellern.
The first production hall in Burgellern, 1993
since 2008
3rd generation
Across fjords and continents
Since 2008, ZECK has been involved in fjord crossings in Norway with spans of up to 5,500 m. ZECK Thailand was founded in Bangkok in 2010.
Fjord crossing in Norway
2013/14
3rd generation
On the rails
ZECK entered the railway business in 1996; the first major project was the TGV line from Seoul to Busan. In 2013/14, the 57 km St. Gotthard Tunnel, one of the longest rail tunnels in the world, was electrified with machines from ZECK.
Electrification of the St. Gotthard Tunnel
2018
3rd generation
A hundred years of ZECK
In October 2018, ZECK celebrated its first century. In October 2022, the ZECK Training Academy started operations, and the fourth generation is already waiting in the wings.
The ZECK team, Scheßlitz 2018
Today
Scheßlitz-Burgellern
At home in Burgellern
Head office and plant in Scheßlitz-Burgellern: development, manufacturing and service under one roof. A family business in its third generation, its machines in use worldwide.
Scheßlitz-Burgellern plant