1918
Rudolf Wanzl Sr. opens a locksmith's in Giebau (Sudetenland). It is expanded
into a scales production business and agricultural machinery store with 20 employees.
1947
Re-start in Leipheim after forced displacement: Rudolf Wanzl Sr. and Jr. found a workshop for scales production 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 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, virtually unchanged in design even today.
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 (Schwaben)
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 well over 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
The self-service victory march begins in Eastern Europe.
Branches are established in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
In 1992, turnover of DM 300 million is 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.
2007
A new branch is established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
2008
A new branch is established in Pune, India.
2009
Opening of a new office and exhibition space, the Wanzl Creative Centre,
in Leipheim. The new meeting and communications venue provides a
purpose-built platform for the presentation of all Wanzl business unit products.
2010
Acquisition of the Ulm-based Unseld Interiors and Shopfitting company by
Wanzl Shop Solutions GmbH, a new subsidiary of the Wanzl Group.
