Feet move us and we move the industry - 96 years of RUCK
Our passion for foot health began around 100 years ago. As is often the case in the area of Pforzheim, Germany, inspiration came from the jewellery industry: in 1923, Christian F. Ruck began to redesign his pendulum drilling machines for the jewellery industry so that they could then be used as grinding machines for podiatry applications. His son Hellmut Ruck senior, who was in charge of sales, realised the potential of this new field of activity on his business trips throughout Europe. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the HELLMUT RUCK company is perfectly positioned within future of podiatry as a specialist wholesaler in multiple markets, a leading product innovator and a state-of-the-art training centre - true to the company’s slogan “Feet move us”.
In the early 1920s, Christian F. Ruck proceeded to manufacture grinding tools and furnishings for podiatry. His son Hellmut Ruck senior, as head of the new foot care department, quickly discovers that there is a lot of pioneering work to be done here and the Hellmut Ruck company is founded in 1927. As a co-founder of the “Association of Foot Care Specialists”, Hellmut Ruck sen. publishes the “Podiatry News”, the first trade journal in Germany, in 1928. One year later, he founded the first specialised school for podiatry with a final medical examination in Pforzheim. In 1930, the “Buch der Fußpflege” (Book of Podiatry) was published, which would become the future industry standard. In 1932, the school of podiatry is expanded with a clinical practice and affiliated wholesale business. The successful growth ends abruptly on 23 February 1945 with the complete destruction of the company’s premises during the devastating air raid on Pforzheim.
The city of Pforzheim lay in ruins, but yet in 1946 Hellmut Ruck Sr. reopens the practice, the school and the wholesale business - almost single-handedly. The new start is successful and the company grows rapidly under the slogan of “Everything under one roof”. Yet in 1951, the company moves from the outskirts to the centre of Pforzheim. The podiatry business also benefited from the years of the German economic miracle, and RUCK could steadily increase its turnover and staff numbers. The second generation of the family, Hellmut Ruck Jr. then joins the company in 1964. Later, the promise of “everything under one roof” becomes too great, and in 1975 the business is split up: the practice and podiatry school remain in Pforzheim, the wholesale business moves to Neuenbürg.
The family business passes to the second generation
Continuous further development
Hellmut Ruck Sr. gradually withdraws from the day-to-day business. Hellmut Ruck Jr. resolutely drives forward with development of the company: the specialised podiatry supplies is the core business, and RUCK is focused on continuous improvement of the “footcare equipment”, for example with the invention of the “Goldstadt brace” for nail correction. The success of the wholesale business again made it necessary to move to a new location, and in 1983 the company headquarters were relocated to Schömberg-Langenbrand. The technical and social changes of the 1980s and 1990s also have an influence on RUCK: digitalisation, value-oriented employee management and customer loyalty along with environmentally friendly actions are becoming increasingly important.
The milestones of that time
1930: „Das Buch der Fußpflege“ (Book of Podiatry) is published.
1987: RUCK develops the Goldstadt brace for nail correction.
In the 1990s, the RUCK mail-order catalogue grows to the size of a book. From 1993, the innovative RUCK Podiatry Treatment Chair/Couch , now known as “STELLA”, is also part of the wide selection and from 1994 the first specially developed podiatry drills of the PODOLOG series. Once again, RUCK runs out of space and plans proceed for a new company building on the Wilhemshöhe in Neuenbürg with administration, more storage capacity and the first school for podiatry in whole German state of Baden-Württemberg (now the RUCK Academy School of Podiatry). The foundation stone is laid in 1996, and one year later the new areas are occupied. In 1998, the first podiatry students proceed with their two-year full-time training course. The school is recognised by the state in 2000 - two years before the publication of the Podiatry Act! In order to be able to supply the constantly growing number of orders quickly, a new logistics centre is added to the Neuenbürg location in 2003.
Business booms and so does the construction!
The third generation enters the business
Not many family-run companies are lucky enough to experience continuity for more than two generations. RUCK does: in 2008, the elder son of Hellmut Ruck Jr., Simeon Ruck, finishes his business studies and joins the company. Simeon is not only involved in management, but also contributes many brilliant ideas to product development: Among other things, the PODOLOG CIRCLE LED magnifying lamp and the RUCK MOBIL SYSTEM for mobile podiatry can be traced back to his suggestions.
The milestones of that time
Even in the turbulent years from 2008 to 2018 (banking, euro and refugee crises), RUCK stays on course for innovation, in the modernisation of the company as well as in products and marketing: in 2012, the peclavus foot care brand turns 50, and in the same year it receives the renowned NATRUE certification for natural skin care. The year 2016 sees the launch of the PODOLOG MOON, ROOM and STOOL furnishing concepts along with the opening of the new RUCK Manufacturing facility in Neuenbürg, where the treatment chairs and couches, and other furniture and equipment are built. For RUCK’s 90th anniversary in 2017, Simeon Ruck joins the management, and the NATRUE-certified peclavus wellness, hand and gentleman series celebrate their debut.
With determination and vision, in difficult times
Thank you Hellmut Ruck Jr. and welcome the future!
When Hellmut Ruck Jr. retires from the management in 2019, he sees his family business perfectly positioned for the future: Since 2018/2019, the new RUCK World of Experiences has invited people to discover and try things out, the new GENUSS KULTUR Black Forest indulges employees and guests at mealtimes, and newly designed offices, meeting and creative zones offer a contemporary and stimulating working environment. Samuel Ruck, the younger brother of Simeon, joins the company in 2019 and takes over as Head of Sales and Academy in 2023. In the summer of 2023, the company, which has now grown to 270 employees, celebrates its 20th in-house exhibition.
To another 100 years, perhaps?
The milestones of that time
Watch the Video about the history of the Hellmut RUCK company
Very few companies can talk about such a long heritage of being committed to podiatry. We are proud to have been at the forefront of foot health for over 90 years with so many areas of innovation and success in the profession. We invite you to join us on this chronological journey through the years, which highlights the key milestones and the key figures who achieved them. Our commitment continues unwaveringly and we hope you can take part in our next chapter.