1980
Barkey Technological Laboratory is founded by Volker Barkey under the name of Barkey ElektroService, Medizin- und Labortechnik.
The principal business of the Bielefeld-based company includes after-sales service for balances/scales and centrifuges.
1982
The business, owned by sole proprietor Volker Barkey, is entered into the Commercial Register as Labor Technik Barkey.
In addition to selling laboratory appliances made by leading manufacturers, the company undertakes the planning and supply of complete laboratory equipment systems and continues to develop and construct an increasing quantity of both customer-specific equipment and sets of equipment.
Thanks to its own developments and patents the company is able to expand its business connections outside its own region,
while the purely commercial side of the business decreases in importance.
1986
Labor Technik Barkey has developed into a pure production company and sells its appliances directly.
1994
The company changes its legal status to a GmbH & Co., with Volker Barkey as the managing partner.
1996
The company moves into the newly built premises in the Asemissen West industrial estate, which is part of the Leopoldshöhe municipality, Lippe district.
The main tasks of the company are the development, production and sales of devices and systems in the medical, laboratory, materials testing and environmental analysis technology sectors.
1999
Labor Technik Barkey GmbH & Co. changes its name to Barkey GmbH & Co. KG.
2005
The founder's two sons, Thomas and Christian Barkey, become personally liable directors. Thomas Barkey becomes managing partner. Christian Barkey was made authorised representative.
2006
Thomas Barkey is appointed as general manager.
Volker Barkey retires from operative business.
2008
Christian Barkey is appointed as general manager.

The name Barkey

The name Barkey can be traced back to the Barkey farm in Gütersloh, Germany.
The name is composed of the former Low German language terms "Barken" for birch tree and "Heyde" for Heath, and describes the "Barkenheyde" vegetation which was then (and still is) surrounding the farm. Over time, this name changed to become "Barkey".
The farm was one of the first seven farms which comprised the settlement of Gütersloh.
The farmland and the old building still exist, and were recently made available to the public by the city of Gütersloh as a park including the old oak tree stocks.
Picture: Barkeys farm - historic photograph from 1900