Hand tool manufacturer and tool range provider Wiha is celebrating its 85th birthday this year. As a “tribute” to the long history of the company and its development, the globally renowned traditional company is presenting the limited edition SoftFinish® 85 years screwdriver set to mark the occasion.
An anniversary edition to join in the celebrations
There are many ways to celebrate a company anniversary and the milestones, successes and brand identity associated with it. Wiha decided on a way that invites you to “touch” all these things – with a tangible and, above all, meaningful symbolic character: To mark 8.5 decades, the 8.5-piece SoftFinish® screwdriver set with bottle opener in a special anniversary edition and elegant black and grey design has been available in shops since June.
Willi, Wilfried, Wilhelm – 3 generations have shaped today’s Wiha
Founded as a small family firm by Willi Hahn in 1939, Wiha is now a world-leading name in the industry. Looking back at the past 85 years, CEO Wilhelm Hahn recalls important milestones and landmarks that have been a pillar to constant growth since the beginning with his grandfather. Relocation of company headquarters from Wuppertal to the Black Forest in 1943 is as much a part of this history as the far-sighted expansions under Wilfried Hahn in the second generation. For around 10 years, Wilhelm Hahn has managed the three German locations as well as 15 subsidiaries in the USA, Europe and Asia as the third generation of the family of owners. The assortment, growing over decades, includes industry-specific professional hand tools, such as ergonomic or insulated screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, bits and more. It also covers measuring tools, electrical solutions and work lights, all the way to integrated assortment and transport solutions, such as tool backpacks or case trolleys.
Preserving values – driving progress
“Over the past decades, Wiha has managed anunbelievable balancing act: preserving our identity and values while always staying ahead of global changes in the markets. The needs of our users and target groups have always been the key drivers for our work, for the development of new ideas and innovations. What changes are the challenges and opportunities in the different industries. We must boldly embrace or initiate new technologies and market trends, but also challenge and examine them in the context of our sustainability principles. In addition, the ever-changing political and social environment requires us to constantly refine our strategy and the long-term development of our company,” explains Wilhelm Hahn.
Lights green in all business areas
For the future, the executive manager sees his business in an excellent position. “Our product range is tailored to today’s needs in professional trade and the industry. Close collaboration with users has resulted in an inspiring community. The Wiha brand is punchy, modern and user-friendly, and we present our specialist retail partners with tailored target group offers, including POS presentations and a comprehensive package of communication measures. By consistently investing in production, management and IT infrastructures, we are already prepared for future challenges or in the process of doing so. The same goes for logistics or the energy aspects of our locations,” summarizes Wilhelm Hahn, painting a very positive picture.
Shaping the future for later generations
In order to pass on the baton of a flourishing company to future generations, the company is sticking to its motto: “Growth is generated exclusively through our own efforts and the will to innovate and progress – in harmony with nature and the environment, and in a socially and economically responsible manner.
The newly formed executive management consisting of Wilhelm Hahn, Mario Sommer and Dr. Manuel Wehrle, at the top since February of this year, thank their team, the entire community, customers and business partners for their loyalty and support over the past 85 years. They look forward to continuing to grow together and to writing the next chapters in the company’s history.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image caption1 : Wiha presents its 8.5-piece SoftFinish® screwdriver set in an elegant packaging and product design to celebrate its 85th anniversary.
Image caption 2: (From left to right:) Dr. Manuel Wehrle, Wilhelm Hahn and Mario Sommer from Wiha executive management proudly look back at 85 years of company history and are excited for the chapters to come.
Image caption 3: The Wiha production site in Schonach in the Black Forest in 1952. Today, the global Wiha network encompasses 15 locations worldwide, with the headquarters still in Schonach.
Image caption 4: The extensive Wiha assortment today includes not only innovative hand tool solutions, but also integrated tool sets and transport systems.
