history

From a craftsman’s workshop to an international group

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Solid craftsmanship has been a tradition at Wanzl from the outset. What started out as a craftsman’s workshop has long since become a global group with a wide and varied product range with impressive production depth. Our focus is on premium quality, new technologies and innovative, functional design.

1918

Rudolf Wanzl Senior opens a metalworking shop in Giebau (Sudetenland).

1947

A new beginning after expulsion: Rudolf Wanzl Senior and Rudolf Wanzl Junior establish a workshop in Leipheim making scales and providing repair services.

1948

Wanzl products are used in the first self-service pilot project in Augsburg.

1949

The consumer cooperative “Produktion” opens the first self-service shop in Hamburg. Wanzl supplies 40 shopping trolleys and 100 baskets. 

1950

The first patent: a stackable shopping basket with folding handle, the design of which remains virtually unchanged to this day. At this time, there are only 20 self-service shops throughout Germany.

1951

The first “Concentra” shopping trolley with a fixed basket is patented. Wanzl now employs 50 staff and achieves a turnover of DM 750,000.

1954

The 200th self-service store in Germany opens its doors.

1955

Logo from the 1950s

1956

1,400 self-service stores are already in operation, and new openings are increasing rapidly. With a team of 74 employees, Wanzl achieves a turnover of DM 1 million.

1966

Wanzl now employs 400 staff and turnover has increased to over DM 16 million.

1970-1983

New branches are founded in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, France and Belgium.

1990

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the self-service concept also expands into former East Germany and opens up new markets. Plant IV goes into operation in Leipheim.

1991

The Shop Solutions business division is founded.

1991-1994

Branches are established in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Group turnover exceeds DM 300 million.

1995

The new Wanzl plant with administration and production facilities is opened in the Czech Republic.

1997

A branch is established in Shanghai, China. 

1998

Gottfried Wanzl takes over company management as the third generation after a 10-year tenure as managing director. A branch is established in Spain. 

2000

Production of shopping trolleys begins in the leased Wanzl plant in Shanghai.

2001

The Passenger Handling Services division is founded. Branches are established in Italy, South Korea, Slovakia and Russia.

2002

The Logistics + Industry division and the branch in Melbourne, Australia, are founded. 

2003

The Tango plastic shopping trolley is launched.

2005

Market launch with attractive long-term displays. The new Wanzl brand logo combines modernity with timelessness.

2006

The Hotel Service division is added. A branch is established in Ukraine.

2007

Wanzl opens its own plant with administration and production facilities in China. The production areas in Plants II and IV in Leipheim are expanded.

Wanzl plant in Shanghai

Wanzl Plant II in Leipheim

Wanzl Plant IV in Leipheim

2008

Opening of the branch in the United Arab Emirates.

2009

The Wanzl Creative Center is opened and a branch is established in India. Wanzl expands into non-food shopfitting after integrating Unseld, a shopfitting firm with an efficient joinery workshop.

2011

In China, systems for electroplating and surface coating are brought into operation.

2012

Acquisition of the North American market leader for shopping trolleys, Technibilt/Cari-All.

2014

The new electroplating system is launched in Plant IV. The new sales centre and warehouse are opened in Austria.

2017

Takeover of Scandinavian shopfitting specialist Expedit. Expansion of production areas at the Czech plant in Hněvotín.

2018

Wanzl's first hybrid and 24/7 store. Together with Wanzl, Würth opens a unique hybrid store in Vöhringen consisting of brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce.

2026

Wanzl is increasing its share in WSL from 30 to 51 percent and is thus becoming the majority shareholder of its former joint venture. Through closer cooperation, Wanzl is expanding its international portfolio of solutions to include competences in the areas of refrigerated appliances, refrigeration technology and complementary shopfitting solutions.