30 years of AMPri
June 12, 2024
Philip Krüger
30 Years of AMPri - three decades ago, a remarkable journey began.
How the Name AMPri Came to Be
When May Phng founded her company in Malaysia, she was looking for a suitable name. She was already a well-known figure in Malaysia at that time, and due to her business success, she was titled as "Empress."
Her longtime lawyer advised her to name the company "Empress." However, this was not possible due to its significance in Malaysia. So, a similar name was sought, and it was linked to the initials of May Phng.
Thus, the name AMPri was created, and the company AMPri Rubberware in Malaysia was established.
From the 80s to the Technological Turning
Point In the 80s, Thomas Böhme traveled to the Far East to build a network of suppliers for latex gloves. It was during this time that he met May Phng and started sourcing products from AMPri Rubberware Malaysia.
A familial and friendly connection developed between the Böhme and Phng families, which still exists today.
Back then, powdered latex gloves were the norm in Europe, but the increasing cases of HIV and allergies demanded alternatives. AMPri Malaysia made a breakthrough in the early 90s by producing powder-free, gel-coated gloves that minimized the risk of allergies.
The Absogel glove was introduced in Europe in 1994 and quickly established itself in the global market.
Rise and Expansion
In 1994, when the Absogel glove was launched in Europe, Thomas Böhme founded the company AMPri Handelsgesellschaft mbH in Seevetal.
In 1999, Tobias Stahmer joined as managing partner, and together they expanded the product portfolio to over 700 disposable and reusable items.
Internationalization and New Partnerships
In 2001, AMPri relocated to Stelle, where the company continued to grow. A new cooperation partner in Ningbo, China, strengthened the international presence from 2002 onwards and established close ties to suppliers in China.
Certifications to ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 in 2005 highlighted AMPri's high quality standards.
In 2007, a new warehouse was built on the rented premises in Stelle, enabling more efficient logistics.
In 2011, a decision was made with a production partner to establish a production facility in Bosnia. Medical products are still produced here today in accordance with European standards. Since 2011, efforts have been made to not rely solely on products from the Far East, allowing for sustainability and quicker delivery times.
Further partnerships in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia support AMPri in product selection and quality control.
Milestones and Commitment to Sustainability
Being recognized as a training company was an important milestone in 2012. In 2016, AMPri moved to the new headquarters in Winsen/Luhe, with an impressive storage area of 15,100 m² and 3,500 m² of office space. The continuous growth led to the appointment of Ben Peters as an additional managing director in 2020.
A significant step towards environmental protection was the acquisition of 260,008 m² of rainforest in Peru in 2022. The Silver Medal from EcoVadis in 2023 and the Gold Medal in 2024 underscore AMPri's commitment to sustainability and responsibility.
30 Years of Innovation and Quality
Today, after 30 years, AMPri proudly looks back with around 100 employees at the Winsen/Luhe location on a stable product range of over 700 items in the areas of occupational safety, food industry, hygiene, care, and medicine. Through longstanding business relationships and a deep understanding of market requirements, AMPri has long established itself as a reliable partner. Looking to the Future AMPri has proven that innovation and quality can go hand in hand. With a clear focus on sustainability and a strong network of international partners in both procurement and sales, AMPri is well prepared for the upcoming decades.
Here's to the next 30 years full of success stories!
Author:
Philip Krüger
Philip Krüger ist bei AMPri als Teamleiter im Bereich Marketing/E-Commerce eingesetzt. Als Kommunikations Designer mit hoher Affinität zum Technischen begeistert er sich nicht nur für klassische, sondern auch für innovative sowie digitale Marketingkampagnen, die kanalübergreifend messbar und erfolgreich sind.