42 | Panel Perspectives: Wemhöner anniversary
100TH ANNIVERSARY W
CELEBRATES ITS WEMHÖNER
Some 1,800 guests from all over the world attended celebrations in Herford during May 2025 to mark the 100th anniversary of Wemhöner Surface Technologies
hen a company makes it to 100 years, it is a significant achievement.
You only have to think of some of the global economic maelstroms there have been during that period to realise that for companies to endure they have to adapt, excel and meet customer’s needs of the day. For Herford-based manufacturer of plant and machinery serving wood-based materials for the furniture and wood-based panel industry, Wemhöner has joined this illustrious club, and it was determined to enjoy the milestone with a series of events in May. Celebrations on May 1 and 24, 2025 saw around 1,800 customers, employees and dignitaries congratulate Heiner Wemhöner and his family on the success story of his owner-managed company, now in its third generation.
MANUFACTURING HISTORY Wemhöner began its journey in the Eastern Westphalia region in 1925 as a small locksmith’s shop. On May 1 of that year Mr Wemhöner’s grandfather Heinrich Wemhöner founded his one-man business, shoed horses and carried out repairs as a service provider. As a clever inventor, he developed his
Top: Wenhöner has celebrated its 100th anniversary
Above: Heiner Wemhöner (fifth from left) with daughter Kathleen (right) and valued customers and business partners at the “open factory” on May 24 ALL PHOTOS: WEMHÖNER SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES
WBPI | June/July 2025 |
www.wbpionline.com
own machines and brought them to series production. With the introduction of machine production in the rapidly growing craft businesses of the emerging furniture industry in East Westphalia-Lippe, the three-disc disc sanding machine became a bestseller from the 1930s onwards – and ‘incidentally’ set the course for the future strategic direction of Wemhöner production. After the Second World War, it was a rebuilding time in a destroyed Germany – also for the founder, who remembers his roots. Things quickly picked up and in 1951 his eldest son Heinrich joined the company. He soon founded his own company, which presented the first pneumatic press for series production.
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