HISTORY
Milestones in the 60-year history of our family company
Here you can find out more about the highly varied and fascinating history of our company, from the early days in 1962 as an industrial agency, from producing the first customised harness assemblies and the early days of component protection, through to becoming an engineering partner, supplier and contract manufacturer for innovative, bespoke solutions that can change the world. Whatever has moved us in the last 60 years, the most exciting thing about our history is the phase that lies ahead and that will connect us all: the future.
WERNER WIRTH began as an industrial agency
The early beginnings for the specialist for connection technology and component protection go back to a plain back yard in Hamburg-Stellingen, rather than a garage. This is where WERNER WIRTH KG started business as an industrial agency in 1962, with a main focus on brokering deals for manufacturers in the metalware industry.
Concentrating on the electrical/electronic market segment
The electronic industry went through rapid development. WERNER WIRTH grew with it, with a shift in emphasis to manufacturers of electromechanical components, particularly cable lugs and plug connectors.
Connections that last: solderless and electromechanical components were added to WERNER WIRTH’s range of products through cooperation with the long-standing company STOCKO which still persist today.
WERNER WIRTH starts manufacturing connection technology
After a small move and warehouse extension, WERNER WIRTH became a manufacturer for connection technology, supplying the first customised connection elements and harness assemblies.
In the late 1990s, WERNER WIRTH began hotmelt moulding
Since 1994 we have shared not only our initial letter with WECO but also, above all, our quality standards for screw and spring terminal technology.
WERNER WIRTH extended the range of services and supplies by adding hotmelt moulding and its own mould and toolmaking activities. Start of the first proprietary hotmelt platform.
WERNER WIRTH became exclusive partner for THERMELT
WERNER WIRTH became exclusive partner for the sales of THERMELT®, the component protection material by BOSTIK.
Nokia was the first customer for machine construction
Moving up to machine construction, WERNER WIRTH presented its first proprietary machine concepts. The first customer for this business unit was Nokia, the leading mobile phone manufacturer of the day.
Extension of component protection
In the mid 20002, component protection was extended with the addition of dispensing and bonding. All based on the same concept: material, tooling, machinery and know-how from a single source – including manufacturing on request.
Coating and potting joined the component protection portfolio
As from 2007, coating and potting rounded off the portfolio covering all aspects of component protection. WERNER WIRTH now offered the full range of processes, from straightforward material deliveries through to complex production lines.
WERNER WIRTH became German representative for ZIERICK
In 2008, WIRTH also became the exclusive German representative for the long-standing US Company ZIERICK, with a corporate philosophy very similar to our own, offering an appropriate, consistent extension to our range of crimping and die-forming parts.
New site for the whole WERNER WIRTH Group
Relocation to Hellgrundweg 111 in Hamburg-Stellingen, where all activities of the group were now concentrated on one site. Advantage: greatest possible synergy effects with cross-group teams.
Advancing from trader to manufacturer
During the 2010s, WERNER WIRTH advanced increasingly from the role of trader to become a manufacturer for connection technology and component protection, implementing the first proprietary developments for connectors and coating platforms and establishing inhouse toolmaking for high- and low-pressure injection moulding.
Birth of the PCB figure “Werner”
In 2013, the WERNER WIRTH brand was relaunched to bring it more in line with the range, including a new strategic alignment and repositioning as the holistic, proactively thinking partner and specialist for connection technology and component protection in electronics. The PCB figure “Werner” symbolises the different aspects of connection, protection and engineering, and also assumes other forms besides.
Acquisition in toolmaking and injection moulding production
Takeover of the business operations of Ludwig Werkzeugbau GmbH , specialists for jig- and toolmaking.
Development of own coating and dispensing machine ALPHA 6
WERNER WIRTH launches ALPHA 6, a new, innovative and compact processing platform for a wide range of coating and dispensing applications.
Working Lab as solution platform
Inauguration of the Working Lab at the Hamburg site. The innovation laboratory offers comprehensive application analysis and measurement systems together with a chemical laboratory. The Working Lab develops solutions for and also with customers to meet their individual specific needs.
Your Innovation. Our Challenge.
The WERNER WIRTH claim “Your Innovation. Our Challenge.” focuses on being the engineering partner with the solutions that help to change the world. A proprietary modular e-bike connector system is launched at the end of the year.
