With the takeover of Technibilt in January 2012, the Wanzl Group has moved into the world's strongest selling consumer market in the USA and Canada. One and a half years after the Group integration of Technibilt, business in North America is booming, supporting the positive operating results at Wanzl's Head Office in Swabia. Pictured Thomas Mix, Managing Director of Technibilt (fourth from left) Gottfried Wanzl, managing partner of the Wanzl Group (fourth from right) together with the Technibilt Management Team.
In January 2012, Wanzl increased its existing stake in the North American consortium Technibilt, acquired in 2006, to 100%. One and a half years after the takeover, the Wanzl Head Office in Leipheim is currently reporting a successful interim result for the joint business activities carried out under the umbrella of the Wanzl Group.
With the takeover of Technibilt, Wanzl – the largest manufacturer of shopping trolleys in the world and the partner of international retailers, with an extensive product range – has integrated the largest and most successful shopping trolley manufacturer in North America into its Group, with a market share of around 50%. In terms of Wanzl's global turnover, Technibilt, which focuses on the North American market, optimally complements Wanzl's international sales region in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Since the takeover, the Group integration has been in full swing: the main focus is on the transfer of expertise and technology, machinery and facility investments and the revision and modernisation of the product range.
Until 2012, Technibilt supplied around 30% of newly ordered Walmart shopping trolleys for the US market. Since the takeover, Wanzl has increased the supply capacity to 50% of ordered shopping trolleys and is also a new supplier to Walmart markets in a further seven American states. Walmart is the leading retail dealer in the USA and internationally and is one of the highest selling companies in the world. As part of this expansion, Wanzl opened its new distribution centre in Nevada in March. Distribution is concentrated on Canada, Mexico and the West Coast of America.
"North America is the most important consumer market in the world; together with Technibilt we have succeeded at entering the US market," confirms Gottfried Wanzl, managing partner of the Wanzl Group, in relation to business in North America. Since the takeover by Wanzl, Technibilt has enjoyed double-digit sales growth, boosting the Wanzl Group's positive operating result.
Both Wanzl and its North American subsidiary profit from the takeover of Technibilt. The close, international co-operation leads to economical production advantages, continuous updates to the product ranges, long-term security as the international market leader for shopping trolleys, and a globally leading position as the partner of international retail. The integration into the Wanzl Group opens up positive long-term prospects for the North American company Technibilt. As a family-run company in its third generation, Wanzl represents a financially stable foundation. In return, the Wanzl locations Leipheim and Kirchheim, the European production locations and more than 20 international sales outlets belonging to Wanzl benefit from the presence and market success in North America. Gottfried Wanzl: "International trade has its roots in regional strength. The takeover of Technibilt safeguards jobs in Swabia, Europe and the USA. In a global economy that is constantly converging, we create innovation and opportunities by working together. This is tied in with global market leadership, an entrepreneurial future and a strong location in Swabia.”
The Technibilt group has more than 330 employees and has specialised in the production of shopping trolleys. Technibilt manufactures its products predominantly in Newton, North Carolina (USA). The entire metal production process takes place here, including surface treatment and assembly for shopping trolleys. The plastic production for shopping trolley components, such as castor wheels, is based in Montreal (Canada).
Since its foundation in 1947, Wanzl has become a strong brand bringing ground-breaking innovations to all aspects of convenient shopping and selling. Products from Wanzl set quality standards for customers across the globe. Wanzl has thus become one of the leading international partners in global retail and has long since carried the quality brand name MADE BY WANZL into new areas of application in other industries. Wanzl now offers over 100,000 products, solutions and innovations at a quality without compromise for the business areas
As an owner-managed, family company in its third generation, with over 4,000 employees, global production sites and sales outlets, customers benefit from a solid foundation with high flexibility and innovation as well as a corporate policy with a long-term focus.
