The story.
For those interested.

From tradition to modernity. WILLBRANDT has constantly evolved and grown over the decades. We would be delighted to take you on a journey through time from the company’s foundation in 1892 to the present day.

Our company history

WILLBRANDT KG was founded in 1892 and has successfully survived two world wars and various economic crises. This long journey would not have been possible without the people who have worked so successfully for the group of companies. We are proud of our employees, but also of our past and see it as the basis for our future.

Berlin 2019

Hannover 2002

Berlin 2008

Hamburg 2005

Dänemark 2007

Berlin 2003

Denmark 2022

Hannover 2011

Hannover 2023

Hannover 2013

1892

Foundation

“On July 8, 1892, Charles Louis Richard Willbrandt founded a wholesale business for technical products for machinery and boiler operations, and on November 9, 1894, had the company entered into the commercial register under the name R. WILLBRANDT.”

1914-1918

First World War

1934

Acquisition

Eduard Sattelmacher and M. Merkel, whose father C. W. A. Merkel had joined the company in 1909, took over the company WILLBRANDT & Co. together after his death on May 1, 1934.

1939-1945

Second World War

1941

Exclusive Distribution Agreement SCHWINGMETALL

On March 5, WILLBRANDT receives the exclusive distribution contract for SCHWINGMETALL for Northern Germany from the company Continental Caoutchouc-Compagnie G.M.B.H. in Hanover.

1946

Return of WILLBRANDT to Hamburg

As a result of the bombing of Hamburg, the company moved to Rinteln in Lower Saxony from 1943 to 1946.

1954

Georg Sattelmacher

Georg Sattelmacher, the nephew of Eduard Sattelmacher, is also joining the company WILLBRANDT & Co. as his future successor. WILLBRANDT & Co. will become a limited partnership.

1962

Patents

The first shock absorbers for the navy are patented: WILMA, HERMA, UMA, LIMA.

1966

New company headquarters in Hamburg

The property at Schnackenburgallee 180 is being purchased by the sister company SATTELMACHER & Co. After the warehouse of WILLBRANDT & Co. was relocated here in 1964, the offices are now also located at the site, which is still in use today.

1969

New office building in Hamburg

The construction of the five-story office building is beginning, with occupancy scheduled for 1971.

1974

Rainer Sattelmacher

Rainer Sattelmacher, alongside his father Georg Sattelmacher, will become an additional personally liable partner of the companies SATTELMACHER & Co. and WILLBRANDT & Co.

1981

First computer bei WILLBRANDT

WILLBRANDT & Co. gets its first computer. Nixdorf delivers the first mainframe, revolutionizing business operations.

1987

Leipzig Autumn Fair

Even during the times of the ‘Cold War,’ WILLBRANDT was an exhibitor at the Leipzig Autumn Fair in the GDR.

1988

CAVOFLEX Dampers

A company that produces wire rope dampers is being acquired from Italy. As a result, WILLBRANDT gains extensive product knowledge and a comprehensive range of machinery.

1991

Establishment of the branch in Berlin

Establishment of the branch in Berlin. The colleagues at the sales location continue to successfully take care of our customers in the greater Berlin area and in eastern Germany.

1992

100-year company anniversary

Completion of the new warehouse in Hamburg. The inauguration will take place together with the anniversary celebration.

1994

WILLBRANDT Gummiteknik ApS Dänemark

Founding of the subsidiary WILLBRANDT Gummiteknik ApS, south of Copenhagen in Denmark. Today, the company is responsible for customers throughout the Scandinavian region and the Baltic States.

1995

Establishment of the branch in Hanover

WILLBRANDT establishes an additional branch in Hanover, focusing on profiles and molded parts as well as seals. Since then, the manufacturing expertise for these product areas has been expanded through an extensive machine park.

1997

DIN EN ISO 9001

WILLBRANDT is certified for the first time according to the quality management standard DIN EN ISO 9001.

2003

WILLBRANDT KG

WILLBRANDT & Co. is becoming WILLBRANDT KG. With the exhibition at the MARINTEC Shipbuilding Fair in Shanghai, international trade fair activities begin.

2008

Per-Olof Arndt

Per-Olof Arndt, Sales Manager at WILLBRANDT since 2005, joins the company as an additional personally liable partner alongside Rainer Sattelmacher.

2010

New building for the compensators business unit

A modern new building with customized spaces for storage, manufacturing, and office is being constructed in close proximity to the headquarters.

2012

Meinert GmbH

The company Meinert, which specializes in hose and vibration technology, is being acquired and has been operated independently ever since.

2013

New building Hanover

Due to the good business development of the Hanover branch, a property will also be acquired there and equipped with spacious premises and comprehensive production facilities. From the very beginning, the company’s first photovoltaic system is installed on the roof.

2014

AEO-F Certification

WILLBRANDT in Hamburg is classified as an AEO-F by customs. This provides significant advantages in customs and export control for international business transactions.

2015

DIN EN ISO 14001

WILLBRANDT is additionally certified according to the environmental management standard DIN EN ISO 14001.

2017

Establishment of the branch in France

Establishment of WILLBRANDT SARLU as another subsidiary in France, headquartered southeast of Paris in the Île-de-France district.

2017

New building Meinert GmbH

Meinert moves into modern and spacious premises on Schnackenburgallee in Hamburg, after the old location ‘was bursting at the seams’.

2018

Meinert establishment West

In Gehrde, near Osnabrück, a location specializing in silo and hose vehicles is being established as a branch of Meinert GmbH.

2021

New building WILLBRANDT Gummiteknik A/S

In Haslev, south of Copenhagen, a modern and sustainable logistics and office building will be occupied. For the first time, a large photovoltaic system will be used, which largely covers the company’s own electricity requirements.

2024

New build project at the main site in Hamburg

In two phases, a modern and energy-optimized commercial building complex was created, which will have a total of approximately 3,000 m² of office and social spaces as well as around 8,000 m² of manufacturing and logistics areas. Two large PV systems provide largely independent power supply.

social Engagement

your way to us

Career

The story.For those interested.