ZWILLING – It’s a Culinary World
What began with traditional knife manufacturing has now grown into a world of innovative, high-quality kitchen products and inspiring brands. Since 1731, ZWILLING has stood for precision, quality and pioneering design. Our products are more than just tools – they are companions for everyone who loves good food. We combine tradition with innovation, design with functionality, and people with unforgettable culinary experiences.
We believe that cooking brings people together – worldwide.
What is now a globally respected company began modestly around 300 years ago. Our story began in Solingen in 1731, under the sign of Twin. Once a small town, Solingen is now officially known as Germany's blade capital. And ZWILLING is synonymous with precision and passion. We have long been more than just a knife manufacturer: we are your companion in the culinary world. With timeless products that have been cherished for generations.
1731
Peter Henckels registers ZWILLING as a trademark on June 13th in Solingen.
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.
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.
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.
The Executive Board of ZWILLING
Anyone who wants to shape the culinary world must also live this vision within the company. Our Executive Board leads ZWILLING with experience and a clear vision of the future. With trust in the ZWILLING team. Responsibility for people and the company. Understanding of markets, people, success factors and needs. And above all: the courage to change. Always with the goal of inspiring our customers – every day.
Vorstand / Board of Directors:
Gerrit Schneider (Chairwoman / CEO)
Dr. Alexander Gulden
Christof Knop
Senay Tansu
PROUD PART OF THE WERHAHN GROUP
Since 1970 ZWILLING has belonged to the Werhahn Group. Like ZWILLING, Werhahn is a family company with a long tradition that shares our values and innovative thinking. Together we have grown even bigger and Werhahn has fueled our innovation engine. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
