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.
Rudolf Wanzl Senior opens a metalworking shop in Giebau (Sudetenland).
A new beginning after expulsion: Rudolf Wanzl Senior and Rudolf Wanzl Junior establish a workshop in Leipheim making scales and providing repair services.
Wanzl products are used in the first self-service pilot project in Augsburg.
The “Produktion” consumer cooperative opens the first self-service shop in Hamburg. Wanzl supplies 40 shopping trolleys and 100 baskets.
The first patent: the stackable shopping basket with hinged handle, the design of which remains virtually unchanged to this day. At this time, there are only 20 self-service shops throughout Germany.
The first “Concentra” shopping trolley with a fixed basket is patented. Wanzl now employs 50 staff and achieves a turnover of DM 750,000.
The 200th self-service store in Germany opens its doors.
Logo from the 1950s
There are now 1,400 self-service shops, openings are increasing rapidly. There are now 74 employees at Wanzl helping to generate a turnover of DM 1 million.
Wanzl now employs 400 staff and turnover has increased to over DM 16 million.
New branches are founded in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, France and Belgium.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the self-service concept spreads to the former East Germany and opens up new markets. In Leipheim, Plant IV begins operation.
The Shop Solutions business division is founded.
Branches are established in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Group turnover exceeds DM 300 million.
The new Wanzl plant with administration and production facilities is opened in the Czech Republic.
The third generation takes over, with Gottfried Wanzl taking over the management of the company after 10 years as Managing Director. Branches are established in China and Spain.
Production of shopping trolleys begins in the leased Wanzl plant in Shanghai.
The Passenger Handling Services business division is founded. Branches are established in Italy, South Korea, Slovakia and Russia.
The Logistics+Industry business division is founded, as well as a branch in Melbourne, Australia.
The Tango plastic shopping trolley is launched.
Market launch with attractive long-term displays. The new Wanzl brand logo fuses modernity with timelessness.
The Hotel Service division is added. A branch is established in Ukraine.
Wanzl opens its own plant with administration and production facilities in China. The production areas in Plants II and IV in Leipheim are expanded.
Opening of the branch in the United Arab Emirates.
In China, systems for electroplating and surface coating are brought into operation.
Acquisition of the North American market leader for shopping trolleys, Technibilt/Cari-All.
The new electroplating system is launched in Plant IV. The new sales centre and warehouse are opened in Austria.
Takeover of Scandinavian shopfitting specialists Expedit. Expansion of production areas at the Czech plant in Hněvotín.