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1918
Rudolf Wanzl Sr. opens a locksmith's in Giebau (Sudetenland). It is expanded
into a scale manufacturing business and agricultural machinery store with
20 employees.
1947
New beginning after the expulsion to Leipheim: Rudolf Wanzl Sr. and Jr. found
a workshop for scale manufacturing and repair service.
1948
Hand-made custom Wanzl shopping baskets are included in the first self-service
pilot project in Augsburg. The opportunities offered by the self-service concept are
recognised and the cornerstone is laid for the company's success.
1949
Self-service begins to conquer Germany with wire products from the Leipheim-based
company. The first self-service shop in Hamburg provides its customers with
20 "Pick-up" shopping trolleys and 40 shopping baskets.
1950
The first patent: the stackable basket, whose design remains virtually unchanged to
this date.
1951
The first shopping trolley with a fixed basket is patented. The company now has
50 employees and achieves a turnover of DM 750,000.
1956
74 employees primarily manufacture shopping baskets and sales tools and achieve
turnover exceeding DM 1 million for the first time.
1957
Rudolf Wanzl Jr. travels to America and meets the inventor of the shopping trolley,
Sylvan N. Goldman. Inspired by this encounter, the revolutionary
CONCENTRA shopping trolley is born. It becomes the prototype for all subsequent
models and earns the company its reputation as a shopping trolley specialist.
1962
The third plant is built in Kirchheim (Swabia)
1966
As fast as self-service spreads, Wanzl rapidly expands with it.
366 employees increase turnover to over DM 14 million.
Many industries discover the benefits of the self-service system, and
Wanzl produces numerous specialised products for them.
1970-1985
The time for establishing branches arrives – the first are founded in
Austria and Switzerland, England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
1989
1,600 employees in five German and one French manufacturing facilities
produce more than 1,000 products for retail in over 50 countries.
1990
Plant 4 goes into operation in Leipheim directly by the A8 motorway.
1991
With new shopfitting systems from Wanzl, markets can now be
set up completely.
1991-1995
Self-service begins its unstoppable expansion in Eastern Europe.
Branches are established in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
In 1992, sales of DM 300 million are exceeded for the first time.
1997
50 years of Wanzl – 50 years a partner of retail. In its anniversary year,
Wanzl supports its trading partners with a seamless range of products for
project planning.
1998
Establishment of branches in Spain and the People's Republic of China.
In Shanghai, production of shopping trolleys begins in 2000.
1999
The annual production of shopping trolleys exceeds one million units for the first time.
2001
Further branches are founded in Italy, South Korea, and Russia.
2001
The Passenger Handling Services business division is set up.
2002
The new Logistics+Industry business division taps into new customer groups.
2003
Wanzl Australia Pty. Ltd. is founded in Melbourne.
2003
The largest order for an international airport:
11,000 luggage trolleys are supplied for
Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
2005
Wanzl, who was a first-hour exhibitor, takes part in Euroshop as for the 15th
time. The new business divisions Security Products and
Hotel Service extend the Wanzl product range.
2006
Expansion works carried out at Leipheim plants 2 and 4 to increase
production capacities in Germany. |
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