History

The Q-railing story is all about vision, and a single-minded desire to create outstanding products. Innovation is in the company DNA, and has been ever since Wouter Guliker founded Q-railing’s antecedent, Antiqua Guliker GmbH, in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany.



1980
Wouter Guliker establishes the company Antiqua Guliker GmbH. Its focus is initially on brass products and decorative railing systems for restaurants, cafés, pubs and hotels.

2002
Antiqua Guliker introduces the very first modular railing system, Antiqua Technic, from 316 stainless steel. Superb quality, a distinctive design and ease of installation make it an instant success.

2003
With the introduction of the Technic system, Antiqua Guliker doubles the number of indoor railing components that it offers in 304-quality stainless steel. Sales figures also double.

2004
To take advantage of international opportunities, the department responsible for Antiqua Technic is spun off as a new brand, Q-railing (short for Quality-railing).

2005
British and Danish branches are launched.

2006
Q-railing is restructured as a holding company (Q-railing Europe GmbH & Co. KG) and 3 branches: Denmark (Q-railing Scandinavia), Germany (Q-railing Central Europe) and the UK (Q-railing UK).

2007
Further international expansion, with Q-railing Italia joining the family. The rapid growth of recent years has clearly not diluted the company’s commitment to design excellence and rich functionality, as Q-railing’s line of glass clamps achieves compliance with the demanding EN 12600 standard.

2008
The launch of a Polish branch is further evidence of the widespread appeal of Q-railing products. World-class innovation demands world-class infrastructure, however. The company establishes its own testing facility, Q-laboratory, which will pave the way for new technical achievements like Easy Glass®, Europe's first glass modular railing system.

2009
With the establishment of Q-railing Business (serving non-European countries other than USA and India) and Q-railing USA, the company can at last consider itself a truly worldwide supplier.

2010
Expansion continues apace with the opening of Q-railing España and the establishment of Q-railing Nigeria as a partnership.

2011
Strategic focus shifts to larger building projects, as architects are identified as a key target audience. Q-designs by Q-railing is launched. An Austrian branch opens and Q-railing Italia takes steps to meet growing demand by acquiring a larger facility with an on-site warehouse.

2012
Q-railing purchases the world-famous d line railing system and acquires the Indian company Carl F International (now Q-railing India) – important milestones on the road to achieving market leadership.

2013
A great year! Q-railing achieves certification in the international quality-management standard DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. The company also meets the requirements of the Achilles Joint Qualification System (JQS), allowing it to take offshore projects. Last but not least, Q-railing is honoured to supply 25,000 metres of balustrade and handrail for the 2014 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Rio de Janeiro and Manaus.

2014
Q-railing expands its international network and opens a branch in Brazil. In addition, Q-railing receives the Klever Entrepreneur Award for outstanding performance in exports and the pursuit of quality and safety.

2015
Q-railing changes its slogan from ‘Your choice in railing systems’ to ‘The premium brand in railing systems’, thereby emphasising its focus on developing railing systems that are high quality, safe and easy to install. The brand-new website www.q-railing.com is launched in the same year, providing detailed information on all systems and products as well as inspiring images of completed projects. On 1 July 2015, the close partnership representing Q-railing in Switzerland is transformed into a fully-fledged Q-railing branch in Zuzwil and Q-railing Scandinavia celebrates its 10th anniversary.

2016
Q-railing opens a second German office in Munich on 1 March 2016 in order to offer its customers in southern Germany an even better and more personal service. At its headquarters in Emmerich and its new offices in Munich, Q-railing begins offering free customer seminars. In addition to learning about aspects of structural engineering and building law, customers find out how to install the glass and post railings of the Q-railing systems safely. Other milestones achieved in 2016 include certification in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 and BSI Kitemark quality standards.

2017
Q-railing Polska and Q-railing España move into new business premises. In addition to modern office spaces, the location in Girona, Spain, boasts a fully equipped showroom and a large warehouse. A spacious new warehouse is also constructed at the company headquarters in Emmerich. The extra 5,000 m² will allow 2,600 pallets and 4,500 steel boxes to be accommodated. In addition, Q-railing Europe Holding and Q-railing Italia both celebrate their 10th anniversary during 2017, while Q-railing Brazil wins the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award.

2018
Under the slogan ‘Q-railing on tour’, Q-railing UK takes to the road in 2018 with its fully equipped truck. At these ‘rolling’ workshops, the team demonstrates various railing systems directly to the customer. In the same year, Q-railing UK moves to a brand-new office and warehouse complex in Stoke-on-Trent. This space incorporates a prefix workshop and a showroom plus a suite of training rooms.

2019
At the beginning of the year, Q-railing opens its first Swedish branch, in Jonköping, and the partnership representing Q-railing in Norway is transformed into another Q-railing branch for Scandinavia. As of 1 September, customers in the US benefit from a new branch office in Brooklyn, New York, complementing the team in Tustin, California.
More than 250 people are employed by Q-railing worldwide. Add to that the employees of all our international partners and suppliers.

Q-railing’s bright future
A global leader in the market for complete railing solutions, Q-railing is known for technical innovation, stylish design and a never-ending supply of fresh concepts. To meet the increasing demand for its balustrades, handrails and accessories, the company will continue to focus on growth. For Q-railing, that means not just more offices, warehouses and team members, but also more extensive knowledge and a greater range of designs.