- 2021
We are the new KANSAI HELIOS Group
With KANSAI PAINT, as one of the top 10 paint manufacturers worldwide, and HELIOS as a specialist for coatings, paints, chemicals, resins and adhesives in Europe, we are pooling our entire wealth of experience and combining our strengths in production, technology, research & development and environmental and sustainability management in Europe under the new name KANSAI HELIOS.
- 2017
Helios, Member of a Global Coatings Group
With the closing of transaction on 31 March 2017, Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. acquired European coating manufacturer HELIOS. Under the strategic owner KANSAI PAINT, HELIOS represents a European center of innovation, know-how and business development, and therefore further grows its importance in European coating industry.
- 2016
Helios, European Coatings Group
The consolidation of companies Helios and Ring is complete. A new, enlarged Helios - European Coatings Group with headquarter in Slovenia has companies and manufactures located in 18 countries worldwide and is an umbrella for many renowned brands. Helios remains a flagship brand, expressing the knowledge, quality and tradition in coating industry, along with new strengths, synergies and higher customer orientation. The group operates among top 10 coating companies in Europe and maintains the vision to become one of the greatest coating companies in Europe.
- 2014
Helios Acquired by Ring
Austrian Ring International Holding AG (RIH) became a strategic partner and a new majority shareholder of the Slovene coatings group Helios Domžale, d.d. Helios was the first acquired company from a list of 15 planned privatizations in Slovenia. The strategic partner Ring already had a long track record of successful acquisitions and integrations of coating companies with recognition.
- 2010
The era of RIH acquisitions
From 2006 to 2010 in only 4 year period, RIH acquired and integrated important coating companies with track record and coating manufacturing tradition of more than 150 years: Rembrandtin (2006) Iris Lacke (2007), Christ Lacke (2007), Fritze Lacke (2008), Ecopolifix (2009), Rembrandtin CZ (2009) and Farbexperte (2010).
- 2008
Expanded Assortment
Some of the projects related to the expansion of the sales assortment were concluded. At location in Količevo the modernisation of the pigment coatings production unit, the modern warehouse and the reconstruction of production lines were completed.
- 2007
The era of Helios acquisitions
From 2001 to 2007 Helios acquired big coating companies and therefore gained an important market shares in ex-Yugoslavian market and CIS region. Helios made acquisition of companies Chromos (2001), Zvezda (2003), Color Medvode (2004), Odilak (2006), Belinka (2007) and Avrora (2007).
- 2006
RIH street markings and corrosion protection
RIH founded a second business pillar with the opening of the Coating Division in 2006. The long-standing industrial coatings producer Rembrandtin Lack was fully integrated within the group.
- 2003
Enlargement of capacities
The year was marked by development and realization of numerous strategic projects. New lacquer and spray chambers were constructed, the synthetic resins production unit was enriched with a new reactor, while the pigment coatings production unit underwent a complete renovation. New production capacity for road marking paints was put into operation and new construction coatings production unit was concluded along with storage room capacities.
- 2001
The beginning of RIH group
Ring International Holding established its foundation with acquisition of brand rights of Koloman Handler AG, an Austrian ring binder production company that was over 100 years old. Since then, the corporation has continued to develop very quickly.
- 1998
TQM And “Clean Water” Fund
Helios started to implement the project of integrated employee education and TQM (Total Quality management) establishment. Company also started the project of the sustainable progress. Helios Ecology Fund was established in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy, intended for the performance of projects for cleaning of Karst caves and revitalisation of local wells and water sources.
- 1995
Helios becomes Joint Stock Company
Helios was registered in the Register of Companies and became a joint stock company. The first general meeting of shareholders of Helios was held on 26th June 1996.
- 1994
High Safety And Awareness
Helios gave priority to investments aimed at the renewal of production and warehouse capacities and the expansion of markets – the representatives and companies founded abroad. New investments at the time were following high standards for quality and fire safety as well as high ecological awareness.
- 1981
Conquering of Foreign Markets
Helios marched successfully on foreign markets and the share of export accounted for more than 60% of production, of which the largest portion went to the Soviet Union. At the same time, the company became the leading Yugoslav producer of paints and coatings. During that time (1979), the new, modern Research Centre was also already established.
- 1971
Focus on Synthetic Resins
The company gave priority to increasing the capacities for synthetic resins with accompanying infrastructure. The construction of a modern production unit for synthetic resins simultaneously enabled the construction of a building aimed at the production of pigment coatings.
- 1954
The Name “Helios”
After the company went through numerous status and organizational changes in after war period it finally became independent and changed its name to Helios, Tovarna lakov Domžale (Helios, The varnish factory Domžale).
- 1940
Production Lived Through The War
The company with 22 employees produced approximately 220 tons of different products. In the factory they had 17 kettles for enamels, 16 mills formilling of paints, 3 mixing machines, 2 centrifuges and a filling device. The production with that decreased capacity but already with its own laboratory, operated also during the Second World War.
- 1924
The Beginning
Helios Group dates back to 1924 when the joint stock company Ljudevit Marx, Tovarna lakov Domžale was founded. This was the start of paints and lacquers production in for the time being advanced, industrial way, for the domestic and foreign market.
- 1844
More than 150 years of tradition in coating industry
The companies within the RIH group look back upon a history of more than 150 years. Christ Lacke, the oldest company in the group, was founded in 1844. Shortly thereafter, in 1876, Fritze Lacke entered the coatings market for the first time.
