Gerd Bär GmbH

Gerd Bär GmbH is a German manufacturer of tail lifts and tailgate lifts, headquartered in Heilbronn, Germany. The company is the owner-managed family business behind the Bär Cargolift brand and describes itself as one of the largest manufacturers of tail lifts in Europe. It was founded in 1981 by Gerd Bär, who designed and manufactured the first BÄR tail lift more than 40 years ago at the Heilbronn headquarters. Bär Cargolift offers lifting solutions for a wide range of applications and vehicle categories, with working loads from 500 to 3,000 kilograms. Its product groups include Standard / Cantilever tail lifts, tuck-away lifts, single or double folded retractable tail gates, and the Bär VanLift FreeAccess for panel vans. The range covers tail lifts for panel vans, transporter chassis, and heavier commercial vehicles, including the Falt tuck-away lift, the RetFalt hydraulically retractable tail gate, and the Ret/HydFalt retractable tail gate with double hydraulically folded platform. The company positions itself around "Lifting Performance in professional logistics," emphasizing robustness, reliability, and service availability. It highlights 24/7 service and product features such as NightGuide and NightGuide Plus lighting and indicator systems, microZINQ and Twin Power relays, and SmartSlide for retractable RetFalt Cargolifts. BÄR also publishes a tail lift encyclopaedia, the "BÄRiges Wiki," explaining the fundamentals of tail lifts for newcomers and technical decision-makers. Innovation is a central part of the company's identity. According to its own account, BÄR has received 166 patents to date, with 39 currently valid and three to five new applications filed each year. The company states that its technology often shapes the market. In the second generation, the owner-managed company maintains what it describes as sustainable independence, technologically and financially, so that the next generation can continue the tradition. Manufacturing takes place at two locations. In addition to the headquarters in Heilbronn, where the first BÄR tail lift was designed and manufactured, BÄR manufactures sheet metal parts and welded assemblies at a second site. The company serves professional logistics customers across Europe and maintains direct contact with customers to develop solutions for diverse transport tasks.

Gerd Bär GmbH was founded in 1981 by Gerd Bär. At the company's headquarters in Heilbronn, Germany, Gerd Bär designed and manufactured the first BÄR tail lift more than 40 years ago. From the very beginning, the company's success has been characterized by three themes: its identity as a family business, its focus on finding solutions for customers, and innovation in action. The company grew into one of the largest manufacturers of tail lifts in Europe, offering Cargolifts for all applications and vehicle categories with working loads from 500 to 3,000 kilograms. Its product range expanded to include Standard / Cantilever tail lifts, tuck-away lifts, single or double folded retractable tail gates, and the Bär VanLift FreeAccess for panel vans. Innovation has been a defining feature of the company's history. According to BÄR, it has received 166 patents to date, with 39 currently valid and three to five new applications filed each year. The company states that its technology often shapes the market. Product developments highlighted on its website include NightGuide and NightGuide Plus lighting and indicator systems, microZINQ and Twin Power relays, and SmartSlide for retractable RetFalt Cargolifts. In the second generation, the owner-managed company maintains its sustainable independence — technologically and financially — so that the next generation can continue the tradition. Manufacturing takes place at two locations: the headquarters in Heilbronn and a second site where BÄR manufactures sheet metal parts and welded assemblies. The company has compiled highlights of its history on a dedicated history website, www.lifting-performance.com, and has been profiled in a corporate film by the Bezirksgruppe Heilbronn/Region Franken – Südwestmetall.

• 1981

  Gerd Bär GmbH founded by Gerd Bär.

• First BÄR tail lift designed and manufactured by Gerd Bär at the Heilbronn headquarters more than 40 years ago.

• Company grows into one of the largest manufacturers of tail lifts in Europe.

• 166 patents received to date, with 39 currently valid and three to five new applications filed each year.

• NightGuide Plus becomes available as an additional indicator.

• SmartSlide introduced for retractable RetFalt Cargolifts.

Lifting Performance in professional logistics — robust, reliable tail lifts with 24/7 service and market-shaping innovation.

• Standard / Cantilever tail lifts

  Cantilever tail lift with load capacity 1,000–3,000 kg.

• Falt tuck-away lift

  The tuck-away lift.

• RetFalt

  The hydraulically retractable tail gate with once folded platform.

• Ret/HydFalt

  The retractable tail gate with double (hydraulically) folded platform.

• VanLift FreeAccess / Standard

  The tail lift for panel vans.

• Standard / FreeAccess 750 kg

  The tail lift for transporter chassis.

• NightGuide Plus

  Additional indicator for visibility and safety.

• microZINQ and Twin Power relays

  Robust and reliable relays.

• SmartSlide

  Easy-to-use feature for retractable RetFalt Cargolifts.

1. 1Bär Cargolift - Lifting Performance.baer-cargolift.com
2. 2Gerd_Baer_GmbH | Bär Cargoliftbaer-cargolift.com
3. 3Gerd Bär GmbHwikidata.org