Consistent success was seen in promoting the production connection trade involving screws, standard and turned parts, tools, and ball bearings. The retail trade represented only 5% of total sales in 1968, leading to its closure. Although the traditional steel business remained the primary source of sales until the late 1980s, the screw business with special screws, standard and drawing parts gained increasing importance. Today, in its fourth generation as a family business, Gebr. Hilgenberg positions itself as a nationwide provider of services in the production connection trade.