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 grown into a global group offering 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 store in Hamburg. Wanzl supplies 40 shopping carts and 100 shopping baskets. 

1950

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

1951

The first “Concentra” shopping cart 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 subsidiaries are established 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 division is founded.

1991-1994

Subsidiaries 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 opens in the Czech Republic.

1997

A new subsidiary 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 subsidiary is established in Spain. 

2000

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

2001

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

2002

The Logistics + Industry division and the subsidiary in Melbourne, Australia, are established. 

2003

The Tango plastic shopping cart 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 subsidiary 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 subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates.

2009

The Wanzl Creative Center is opened, and a subsidiary is established in India. Wanzl expands into non-food store layouts 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 carts, Technibilt/Cari-All.

2014

The new electroplating facility is commissioned at Plant IV. The new sales office and warehouse facilities are opened in Austria.

2017

Wanzl takes over Scandinavian shopfitting specialist Expedit. Expansion of production areas at the Hněvotín plant in the Czech Republic.

2018

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

2026

Wanzl increases its stake in WSL from 30% to 51%, taking over majority control of the former joint venture. Thanks to the closer cooperation, Wanzl expands its international solution portfolio to include expertise in refrigeration units, refrigeration technology, and complementary shopfitting solutions.