This year, we’re celebrating 40 years of G&D – a period marked by many milestones and events. But what makes these 40 years truly special? As part of our anniversary celebrations, we want to share the company’s story through the eyes of those who’ve helped shape it in various roles. In our blog series, we’ll provide four unique and personal perspectives on this journey.
Part 1 – From the Founding Spirit to the Company
In our first blog post, we explore the early days of our company and how it was established. We speak to Martin Drunck, who founded G&D in 1985 together with Udo Guntermann and Reiner Ruelmann as the third CEO.
In the interview, Martin Drunck provides an exciting insight into the eventful founding phase, talks about successes and challenges, the values that have shaped G&D and what his hopes are for the company’s future.
40 years of G&D – a long success story. When you think back to the beginnings, how did the founding of G&D come about?
Udo Guntermann and I met in 1979 while studying electrical engineering. Alongside our studies, we started programming for a software company. The programming work gradually became more and more extensive, so we founded Guntermann & Drunck Gbr. (German civil-law partnership).
One day, the software company received an inquiry from Philips, asking whether there was a possibility to display the contents of a computer screen simultaneously on an arbitrary number of monitors. Udo Guntermann and I then came up with a circuit that allowed us to select a source – in this case, a computer – and output the screen contents to multiple monitors at the press of a button, for example, to 8 or 16 monitors simultaneously or individually. We manually soldered this device on a perforated board with wires at the time, as there was no proper layout yet. We called the device “Video-Net”.
After the prototype was presented to Philips, we didn’t hear anything about it for a while. Later, however, I received a call from the owner of Computer 2000 AG in Munich – one of the leading suppliers of IT products for resellers at the time (exclusive distributor of the Hercules Graphics Card). He was at the CeBIT trade show, where a device called “Video-Net” was being presented to him. When he asked for more information about the origin of the product, it became clear that we had actually developed it. Enthusiastic about our device, he suggested launching it on the market via their distribution network of around one hundred specialist dealers. Of course, we were interested. In fact, we were very interested. An appointment was made for a contract negotiation – a few days later we had the signed contract in our hands and founded our LLC (GmbH) later that same week.
Do you still remember what you did on July 22, 1985, the founding day, and can you tell us more about the time of the founding?
After Reiner Ruelmann, Udo Guntermann and I had signed the LLC (GmbH) contract, we first celebrated properly. Then the first orders came in. However, in the excitement, we hadn’t made any preparations, so we had to quickly set up a production process.
Reiner Ruelmann quickly designed a circuit board layout so that we could start the small series. My office in my private apartment was quickly turned into a production room, and Udo Guntermann’s living room was also converted. With the help of a few students who took care of the soldering, we assembled the devices in various rooms. At the same time, we had our first demonstration appointments, for example with Olivetti, Commodore or Siemens Nixdorf – so the early days were pretty hectic until we were finally able to move into the technology center, today’s cultural center “Lyz” in Siegen.
How did G&D transition from developing products for software training to high-end KVM solutions?
The development of our devices was mainly driven by market requirements. At that time, many large computer companies and other businesses began to set up their own training centers. They wanted to train their employees on site instead of sending them to external seminars so that they could still be reached quickly in their day-to-day work. These training centers – at IBM, for example – were often equipped with our Video-Net devices. The demand for such solutions was therefore high, and we held a monopoly position.
Through our collaboration with IBM, we were then asked whether we could also develop devices that would allow the keyboard and mouse to be switched as well. We expanded our product and developed the VN32 device, to which up to 32 operator stations could be connected and, in addition to video, the keyboard/mouse and printer could also be switched.
Over time, more and more orders came in: Initially, solutions were needed to control two computers with one keyboard, monitor, and mouse – the first KVM switches. We then developed a KVM switch for two computers, followed by versions for four, and eventually eight computers. Gradually, a complete portfolio of KVM products was created.
An important factor for our success was also our close connection to the university. Coming from an academic background ourselves, we had strong contacts with professors who actively supported us – for example, by enabling practical diploma and thesis projects in collaboration with us. This allowed us not only to incorporate fresh ideas into our developments but also to bring talented young professionals into the company early on. Many, such as Rolf and Uwe Milde started with a diploma thesis with us and then stayed on.
Were there any values or principles that shaped G&D from the very beginning that were particularly important to you?
A central value that has shaped us from the very beginning was the strong sense of unity within the company. We always placed great importance on ensuring that everyone felt like part of the team – regardless of their position. Whether someone was CEO or soldering cables, it was secondary to us. We always said: We’re all in the same boat – if it leaks, we all sink. Therefore, solidarity was essential for us.
This mindset was shared by everyone. We also believed that no one from the outside could truly harm us, only we could, if we didn’t stick together and pull in the same direction. And because you spend most of your life at work, it was important for us that everyone felt comfortable. Only then can collaboration really work. This principle was not only communicated but also lived by all of us every day.
What challenges and successes do you particularly remember from the early days?
The successes we achieved all came from the team. Our employees didn’t just do their tasks; they actively contributed ideas and helped shape things. This allowed us to grow together – it really made us strong. It was simply a great time when a lot of things fell into place. Of course, there were also more difficult phases – that’s just part of it, that’s life.
Looking back, I would do it the same way again.
As one of the founders of G&D, are there any particular events or successes that you are especially proud of that have made a decisive impact on the company?
Over the years, there have been many events that have gradually moved the company forward. Some will certainly stay particularly memorable. For example, an order from the Westdeutsche Landesbank (regional bank), where we equipped their trading rooms. Or the order from IBM, where we had the opportunity to set up all the training centers nationwide with our Video-Net and VN32 devices.
We experienced steady growth over the years, and we always celebrated that together. It was always important to us that everyone was part of it, because this success was achieved through the efforts of all.
G&D can be proud of a loyal workforce, with some employees having contributed to shaping the company since its early years. What does this mean to you?
It’s great to see that so many employees have remained loyal to G&D since the early years. That’s truly something special, and I’m really happy about it.
We’ve always valued that things fit well on a personal level. I think that’s one of the reasons why employees stay with the company for so long. When people feel comfortable at work, they contribute more and are especially motivated, and that has helped us succeed.
Today, G&D is an international team with around 120 employees. Could you have imagined this development in 1985?
Of course, we always had the desire to build a successful company, but in the early years it was more the hectic pace of day-to-day business that drove us forward. We worked day and night, held presentations at major companies – there was scarcely any time to sit down and engage in long-term planning. In the beginning, we were simply carried along by the course of events, and thus everything gradually developed.
The idea of founding a company was already in Udo Guntermann’s and my mind during our studies. The request from Philips marked the beginning of everything.
How do you view the development of G&D today, and what still connects you to the company you founded?
I’m always pleased to read news and success stories about G&D. I’m proud that the company continues to do so well, and it’s great to see how all the employees at G&D are working together to keep driving it forward.
When we, the founders, started thinking about selling the company in 2016, the idea came more from an unexpected inquiry. At that time, we realized that the moment might come when it would be time to take a new path. Still, the decision to step back from the company was very difficult for me – I’ve always had two hearts beating in my chest, and one of them is G&D.
Of course, I remain connected to the company. I keep track of what’s happening and still stay in touch with some of the team members. It’s great to see that G&D continues to grow and that the team is carrying on what we built back then so well.
What are your hopes for the future of G&D?
I hope G&D keeps being successful in the future. What matters to me most is that people still enjoy working at G&D, and feel good about being part of the company. And of course, I really hope the strong team spirit stays the same.
>> Other articles you might be interested in:
G&D celebrates opening of new location with state-of-the-art showroom in Dubai
Farewell after 33 years: Elke Marcus’s impressive journey at G&D
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Translator English & Content Manager at Guntermann & Drunck.
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