2016
Bensons BV is integrated in Ring Alliance Ringbuchtechnik GmbH.
Both companies join their strengths – for the greatest benefit of their
customers.

2003
Koloman Handler Kft in Hungary takes over the whole production of
Koloman Handler GmbH in Vienna.

2002
Bensons – now represented in five countries on three continents (Netherlands, UK, France, USA and Singapore) – joins Ring International Holding AG.

2001
Ring International Holding AG acquires Koloman Handler GmbH and
its Hungarian subsidiary.

1998
After 3 generations of family-ownership, Koloman Handler GmbH is
sold to a financial group.

1996
Bensons sells its production facilities.

1995
Automated production is started in the Hungarian production plant.

1993-96
Bensons moves its production from Malaysia to China.

1992
The Hungarian subsidiary of Koloman Handler GmbH is established.

1985-88
Bensons moves its production from the UK to Singapore and Malaysia.

1985
Koloman Handler GmbH outsources its manual production to
Hungary.

1976
Bensons is sold to Esselte.

1950
Walter Liebhold KG starts the production of ring binder mechanisms.

1923
Bensons is established in the United Kingdom by the Bennett family and Sons – thus the name BENSONS.

1922
Koloman Handler builds his first production plant for ring binder
mechanisms in Vienna.

1917
Walter Liebhold KG is founded in Germany. The company is later on
renamed into Robert KRAUSE GmbH & Co KG. First products are
metal parts for driving belts and furniture locks.

1915
Invention of the first ring binder mechanism by Koloman Handler.
t is usually the small ideas that revolutionize the lives of many.
Whether it be the famous matches or the invention of a corned beef
sandwich. The same holds true for the ring binder mechanism. Around
the turn of the last century, businessmen were confronted with the
problem that their business books wore out easily. Koloman Handler
followed up the idea on how to make books more „durable“, and then
came up with the idea of binding them in rings that would open and
close. Despite initial customer scepticism and rejection, he was able
to convince the world of his idea little by little. This is how the „eternal
book“ – the ring binder – was born.

1900
Koloman Handler GmbH is founded in Austria and starts with the
production of book corners.