Company attributes
Other attributes
Early history & expansion
"Zwilling" (German for 'twin') was founded on 13 June 1731 by the German knife-maker Peter Henckels.The logo was registered with the Cutlers’ Guild of Solingen, making Zwilling one of the earliest examples of a trademarked company. In 1771, Peter's son Johann Abraham Henckels (1771–1850) – the later namesake of the company – was born.The Henckels logo has been in the current shape with a red background since 1969.
J. A. Henckels Twin Brand Razors and Shears promotional postcard, around 1930–1945
J. A. Henckels opened the first trading outlet in 1818 in Berlin, opening a shop in New York City in 1883 and followed a year later by Vienna. The company exhibited its products at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Great Britain, being awarded an international knifesmithing medal.
J. A. Henckels was awarded the Grand Prix prize in Paris in 1900 and the Grand Prix of St. Louis in 1904. It was also awarded with the Prussian State Golden Medal. Henckels was also given a royal warrant of appointment as purveyors of knives to the Imperial and Royal Court of Austria-Hungary (see K.u.k. Hoflieferant (in German)).
Brands & current state
The company operates several brands, including Zwilling J. A. Henckels, J. A. Henckels International, Miyabi, Staub, Demeyere, Ballarini, and BSF. Through these activities, the company also operates its own retail shops both in Germany and internationally, among them about 200 sub-stores in China. Since 1970 the company has been owned by the Werhahn Group, with a staff of 3,200 worldwide. Profits amounted to €282 million in 2007, with 80% of its profits generated outside Germany. In 2004, Henckels acquired the Japanese knife manufacturer Nippa, and renamed it Miyabi, and the U.S. beauty specialist Tweezerman, which is operated independently from Zwilling.
Hairdressing
Since 1988, J. A. Henckels has partnered with Solingen-based professional hairdressing equipment manufacturer Jaguar, which became part of the Zwilling group in 2004 to make product for the hairdressing industry, also owning a selection of hairdressing equipment brands.
Cookware
With the 2008 acquisitions of the Belgian manufacturer Demeyere (stainless steel cookware) and the French group Staub, which produces enameled cast iron cookware, Zwilling moved to expand the cookware segment of its business.
Knife lines
Zwilling J. A. Henckels Four Star knife set
In 1976 Henckels introduced The Four Star line, which is a fully forged knife with a molded handle made of polypropylene and a tang extending into the handle. The majority of Zwilling knives have blades constructed from high-carbon stainless steel, which is ice-hardened for sharpness and stain resistance, along with a partnership allowing some products constructed using a microcarbide powder steel with clad layers, which are manufactured in Japan. In 2011 Zwilling partnered with Master Bladesmith and Designer Bob Kramer to launch a series of co-branded knives, stating with a Carbon Steel line.
Manufacturing process
TWIN Cuisine Tournant knife
Henckels knives are manufactured in several ways. A large selection of the knife range are forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, which is cold-hardened to improve stain resistance. This hardening process consists of cryogenic tempering and involves immersing the finished knife blades in liquid nitrogen. This process is required to get full hardness from most stainless knife steels, as it completes the conversion of austenite to martensite. The process of forging is intended to produce improved cutting-edge retention, weight, balance, and reduced opportunity for metal fatigue. Most of Zwilling's knives are manufactured in Solingen, Germany, while some, including Henckels branded knives are made in Spain and China.
Modern expansion
In 1909 Henckels set up its first subsidiary in the U.S., followed by Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, France, Spain, China. In 2008, subsidiaries were set up in Great Britain and Brazil.
THE PAST PREPARED US FOR THE FUTURE
Imagine you have a 290-year-old brand history that you are eager to share with everyone. But at the same time you are a modern, forward thinking company that is all about future cooking trends and technologies. Both are really important. Which is why we’re going to tell you about both parts separately. Let’s start with where we started.
1731
On June 13th, Peter Henckels registers not only his company, but also ZWILLING as a trademark. This makes ZWILLING one of the oldest picture brands in the world.
1818
ZWILLING opens its first sales outlet in Berlin.
1851
ZWILLING is awarded a prize at the World Fair in London.
1855
ZWILLING is presented with the highest award at the World Fair in Paris.
1883
Opening of the New York branch by Graef & Schmidt.
1893
ZWILLING wins the only medal awarded at the World Fair in Chicago.
1909
The first subsidiary is opened in the USA. 1915 ZWILLING wins four first prizes at the World Fair in San Francisco.
1938
ZWILLING is granted the patent for the "Küchenhilfe" range of scissors. Extremely robust, they are still included in our product range today. And we are proud to say that they are one of the most widely copied scissors worldwide.
1939
ZWILLING applies for the patent for the ice-hardening process. Ice-hardened FRIODUR® blades have extremely good cutting edge retention, are flexible, ultra-corrosion-resistant and really cool. Sorry for the pun – we just couldn’t resist.
1970
Wilh. Werhahn KG becomes the sole shareholder.
1976
Development of the ****FOUR STAR knives – ZWILLING's best-selling chef's knife range with an iconic design that hasn’t changed in over 40 years. That’s what we call truly timeless.
1995
Establishment of the joint venture in China. The start of an incomparable success story that made ZWILLING one of the most desired premium brands in China.
2005
Opening of the first ZWILLING concept store in Paris.
2008
Acquisition of the French cookware manufacturer STAUB. Its leading product ranges are cast-iron enamel cookware and ceramics.
2008
Acquisition of the Belgian cookware manufacturer DEMEYERE. The traditional company is particularly well known among professional chefs as a manufacturer and pioneer of high-quality cookware for energy-saving induction hobs.
2011
ZWILLING Care launches an extraordinary initiative for people with disabilities in the southern Indian town of Pondicherry. Young Indians with disabilities are helped to learn a trade and lead independent lives.
2015
Acquisition of the Italian brand BALLARINI – one of the leading brands for nonstick cookware.
2018
Opening of the first ZWILLING Culinary World flagship store at Taikoo Hui Mall in Shanghai.
2020
ZWILLING enters new business fields with Enfinigy ® for electrics and Fresh & Save ® for new vacuum based storage systems.
2021
Acquisition of the majority of shares of the German leading BBQ retailer Santos-Grills GmbH and Flammkraft® a luxury brand for gas grills made in Germany.
