130 years of GSC – an anniversary we celebrate together

2026 is a special year for us: we are celebrating 130 years of the Storch Ciret Group.

Since our founding in 1896, we have grown from a small painting school in Wuppertal-Elberfeld into one of Europe’s leading corporate groups for painting tools and accessories. Our journey has been shaped by a strong spirit of innovation, close ties to the trade, and strong brands – and this is exactly what we aim to highlight throughout our anniversary year.

A Year Full of Activities

Throughout the year, we are planning group-wide initiatives to accompany our anniversary. Some activities will be implemented centrally, while others will be designed individually by our brands.

In this way, we ensure that our 130th anniversary is celebrated where our history is most tangible: close to the trade, close to the market.

130 Years of Development – Looking Back

Our roots date back to 1896, when a painting school was founded in Wuppertal-Elberfeld. The initial training workshops soon developed into our own manufacturing operations.

In 1921, the STORCH brand was officially registered – a milestone that gave our commitment to quality and innovation a clear identity.

In the decades that followed, we continuously expanded our portfolio and developed solutions that opened up new possibilities for the painting trade. With our later European expansion and the merger into today’s Storch Ciret Group in 2011, we were able to consolidate our expertise and further strengthen our market position.

Moving Forward Together

Even 130 years after our beginnings, we continue to stand for tools professionals can rely on – supported by strong brands, dedicated teams, and a deep connection to the trade.

We look forward to shaping this anniversary year together and continuing to write the story of GSC.