Global Truss – A Success Story
Global Truss was founded in 2001 in Taiwan by visionary entrepreneurs from the event industry: Hartmut Braun, George Lee, and a team of experienced professionals. Their common goal was to introduce high-quality truss systems to the market that meet the demanding requirements of professionals in event technology, trade fair construction, theater, and the entertainment industry. From the very beginning, the founders defined values that are still deeply embedded in the company philosophy today: quality, reliability, delivery capability, and innovative strength. These principles shape all decisions and processes—from product development to customer service.
Quality, Reliability, and Innovation as Success Factors and Guiding Principles
Shortly after its founding, Global Truss attracted great attention in the market. The first presentations of the trusses at trade shows and to distribution partners met with very positive feedback. The market was enthusiastic about the quality, the precise manufacturing, and the extensive product range. Global Truss quickly established itself as a company known for its reliable delivery capability and dependability—qualities essential for event service providers and stage builders. Early investments in the development of new innovations also paid off: Global Truss repeatedly brought new ideas to the market that met the rapidly changing demands of the event and entertainment industry.
The Path to Market Leadership
In the following years, Global Truss succeeded in continuously expanding its market position and establishing itself as one of the leading brands for truss systems in the industry. The products found customers worldwide—from local event rental companies to medium-sized exhibition stand builders, and even large, internationally operating event enterprises. Especially during times when events grew in size and technical complexity, Global Truss trusses proved to be indispensable building blocks for professional stage, trade fair, and studio constructions. The high material quality, adherence to international safety standards, and flexibility in responding to customer-specific requirements further accelerated this growth. However, as is often the case with rapidly expanding companies, Global Truss eventually encountered organizational and structural limitations. In particular, the European market—which had developed into a key sales region—required a strategic realignment to ensure consistently short delivery times and high delivery capability.
The Founding of Global Truss GmbH
As a logical consequence, Global Truss GmbH was established in 2017, headquartered in Karlsbad near Karlsruhe. With this European branch, the company was able to lay the foundation for a more efficient and regionally coordinated corporate structure. The founding of Global Truss GmbH marked a turning point: it not only secured the company’s strong delivery capabilities, but also positioned it to further strengthen its role as a market leader. The new structures proved to be robust and adaptable—qualities that would soon become indispensable in the years to follow.
Challenges and Opportunities During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020
The years of the COVID-19 pandemic put the entire event industry to a severe test. Numerous productions, trade shows, concerts, and festivals were canceled or postponed. But while many companies cut costs and scaled back production capacity during this period, Global Truss chose a different path. To retain skilled workers such as welders and production staff and preserve their know-how, the company continued producing its trusses—even as demand temporarily plummeted. This foresight paid off. When the event industry slowly began to recover after the lockdowns, Global Truss was perfectly positioned to support the restart with full strength.
Expansion in China
The strong global demand following the revival of the events industry, along with the continuous development of production processes, ultimately led to the opening of a second production facility in China in 2023. With this additional manufacturing site, the company can serve customers on all continents even faster, minimize supply chain risks, and better respond to market demands.
A Painful Loss
However, 2023 did not bring only successes. At the end of the year, the Global Truss family suffered a severe blow: the unexpected passing of co-founder George Lee meant the loss of a man who had played a crucial role in the creation, direction, and development of the brand. Lee was not only a visionary and innovator but also a mentor to many employees and a valued partner to customers and suppliers. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the event industry continue to live on in the company's culture.
An Important New Beginning
Shortly after this pivotal event, Global Truss GmbH completed the full acquisition of Global Truss Corp. in 2024. With this strategic decision, the corporate group is now clearly and uniformly structured. The consolidation allows for unified decision-making, more precise alignment of corporate strategy, and full use of synergies within the organization. This not only strengthens day-to-day operations but also transforms George Lee’s legacy into a sustainable, long-term successful corporate structure.
Outlook and Perspectives
Today, Global Truss stands as a globally operating company with strong roots in Asia and Europe, whose products have become indispensable on any professional stage, trade show booth, or major event. The core values of quality, reliability, delivery capability, and innovation remain at the heart of the company’s actions. With more than two decades of experience, the stability created through the newly established structures, global production and logistics expertise, and the ability to navigate difficult times with courage and foresight, Global Truss remains a reliable partner for the future. The development of Global Truss is a story of growth, adaptability, and entrepreneurial foresight. From its founding in 2002 in Taiwan to the full acquisition by the European subsidiary in 2024, the company has continuously reinvented itself, evolved, and aligned with the market. Throughout this journey, there has always been a clear commitment to guaranteeing the highest levels of quality and safety for its customers. With this foundation and the dedication of every single employee, Global Truss looks to the future with optimism—ready to tackle the next challenges of the event industry with new ideas, products, and solutions.