Company history DICTUM - MORE THAN TOOLS

People. Tools. Knowledge.

We have been bringing them together in harmony since 1848. We live and practise traditional values and preserve old knowledge - while still keeping up with the times - driven by our passion for crafts.

Over many years we have created a portfolio of tools, materials and knives to fulfil greatest expectations. If you create lasting results with your own hands, you will find inspiration, tools and materials at DICTUM.

1848 The beginning

In Markneukirchen, the German capital of musical instrument making at that time, wind instrument maker Johann Friedrich Dick establishes a business for the manufacture and trade of musical instruments, components and special tools in the Year of Revolution.

1924 The heyday

When Johann Friedrich Dick hands over the business to his son Heinrich Hermann at the beginning of the 20th century, Markneukirchen is one of the wealthiest towns in Germany thanks to global trade.

Under the brand name HERDIM (Hermann Dick Markneukirchen), the globally thinking entrepreneur publishes multilingual catalogues and maintains business relations all over the world.

1948 The fresh start

World War 2 and the subsequent communist occupation make free trade impossible. Günther Dick therefore settles in his wife's hometown of Metten (Lower Bavaria) in 1948, where he starts from scratch with a small production and trading business for music accessories and special tools.

1970s The Japanese art of forging

In the 1970s, the Dick family is seized by a fascination for Japanese tools and brings Japanese saws and knives to Germany for the first time. A brand for outstanding tools and knives is created under the new company name DICK.

2005/2006
Sale of the company and the takeover

True to the motto »We live and practise traditional values and preserve old knowledge - while still keeping up with the times«, Petra Steinberger takes over the management of the company as managing partner together with another partner.

2010 Craft Courses in Niederalteich

Construction of a new workshop centre for handicraft workshops on the monastery grounds at Niederalteich.

2011 The new name

The two traditional brands DICK and HERDIM are merged under the name DICTUM. DICTUM: More than tools

2012 Courses and shopping in Munich

Purchase of Workshop Center Munich and opening of the Munich DICTUM Shop. From now on, courses and shopping experiences also take place in Munich.

2015 Land purchase

Purchase of a plot of land in Plattling and construction of a company building.

2018 New company headquarters in Plattling

For reasons of capacity and efficiency, the company headquarters and shop are relocated from Metten to Plattling.

2022 DICTUM Flip Catalogue

The Dictum flip catalog is launched.

2022 New production site in Natternberg

Due to supply chain problems, a new manufacturing site is set up in the region.

2025 Strengthening the management team

Quynh Christian Ha-Ngoc joins the management board, taking responsibility for E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, Logistics, Sales/Customer Service, and IT.

DICTUM Plus

Company history DICTUM - MORE THAN TOOLS

2005/2006 Sale of the company and the takeover

2005/2006
Sale of the company and the takeover