Milestones in fast motion

1731

Peter Henckels registers the ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS logo with the Cutler's Guild in Solingen.

1818

Johann Abr. Henckels opens the Company's first office in Berlin.

1851

World Exhibition in London. The Company exhibits its products, is awarded a medal and thus achieves international recognition.

1883

A sales office is set up in New York, followed a few years later by Cologne, Vienna, Hamburg, Dresden, Munich and Paris.

1893

World Exhibition in Chicago. The only medal awarded goes to ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS.

1905

Recognition of another kind: The African explorer Leo Frobenius christens a range of mountains in the then Congo "ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS" and another "Henckels-Berge".

1915

ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS is awarded four first prizes at the World Exhibition in San Francisco.

1938

The company opens a new chapter with the launch of its legendary multi-purpose Original Kitchen Shears, setting new standards in design and quality.

1939

Invention of a special ice-hardening process, branded FRIODUR®, for the production of stainless steel cutlery. This process is patented by ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS and subsequently all products using this special method are hallmarked accordingly.

1971

A new concept brings fresh impetus into the market and into kitchens. DECOrator knives, the right knife for every purpose.

1976

International launch of the ****FOUR STAR knife series. Having been developed in cooperation with well-known German professional chefs, these knives meet the highest quality standards.
By now ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS best selling chef's knife series worldwide.

1981

The Company celebrates its 250th anniversary.

1992

This year marks a revolutionary development in the production of knives.
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS introduces its brand new production method Sintermetal Component Technology (SCT) that has been developed following years of research.

2001

Launch of the premium knife series TWIN® Select and the knife sharpener TWINSHARP® Select. Ergonomics and stainless steel in a perfect marriage.

2002

Launch of the premium kitchen gadgets series TWIN® Select. Beauty and function in perfect harmony.

2003

Launch of TWIN® Pollux, the knife series for the ambitious newcomer.

2004 – An eventful year in the history of ZWILLING:

ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS sets new standards for storage systems for knives and accessories.

ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS takes over the Japanese knife manufacturer Nippa in Seki/Japan.

By acquiring the North American manicure specialist Tweezerman ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS establishes a leading position in the global market for manicure products,

With the launch of cookware products notably in the Asian markets ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS further enhances its kitchen competence.

2005

ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS opens its first Concept Shop in Paris. A new stage for brand and products.

While headquarters remain in Solingen today ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS has subsidiaries in all major industrial countries. The Company’s products are sold in over 100 countries worldwide.