Wesco Story
Wesco was founded by Martin Westermann in 1867, initially as a plumbing workshop. At the turn of the century the company, Martin Westermann & Co. developed from this company. In the course of the following years, new products were continuously added to the production program, such as coffee bottles for miners. The company increasingly specialised in the processing of metal sheets for household goods and steadily expanded the range. In 1909 the company moved to newly acquired factory premises. The production was completed in the next few years so that the factory is able to produce all metal and household appliances available at that time.
The product range included white and hot-dip tinned as well as lacquered tinware for the kitchen and household.
The 'Wesco' trademark was registered in 1911.
After the war, the first 'ash bucket' entered the product range.
In 1938 the company moved to the former Beumewerk in the Arnsberg district of Hüsten, where the company is today.
In the following years and decades, the company expanded continuously. Today, a state-of-the-art logistics centre with over 37,000 sqm of storage space is located at the company's location in Arnsberg.
During the Second World War, Wesco produced, among other things, collecting cans for the winter aid organisation and various tin containers for the Air Force.
In the following years and decades, the company expanded continuously. Today, a state-of-the-art logistics centre with over 37,000 sqm of storage space is located at the company's location in Arnsberg.
During the Second World War, Wesco produced, among other things, collecting cans for the winter aid organisation and various tin containers for the Air Force.
During this time, 586 forced labourers from different countries were employed in the company. In 2000 Wesco - as one of the first German companies - paid DM 50,000 into the fund of the 'Remembrance, Responsibility and Future' foundation to compensate the living forced labourers.
1946 - At the end of World War II, Wesco also had to deal with war damage and difficulties in supplying energy and materials. The business comes to a standstill for a few months. In mid-1946 the work can be started again.
In 1949 the Wesco word and figurative mark was registered.With the economic miracle years, the range of bread boxes and waste collectors was expanded. The first 'pedal bin' finds its way into the product range and is shown at trade fairs. The pedal device on the inside is new.
In the 1960s and 1970s, garbage collectors and bread boxes were used only.
Their design and decors are subject to the spirit of the time. Although the range became more colourful and the first stainless steel products appeared, the waste collector was still a necessary evil in the kitchen and bathroom and was primarily designed according to functional criteria.
Rising mountains of garbage - and their disposal - were just a hotly debated topic among experts in the 1980s when WESCO launched the double eco- collector in 1985 as the first manufacturer.
The range of built-in products is continuously expanded and now includes more than 250 items with problem solutions for every need and every kitchen.
Their design and decors are subject to the spirit of the time. Although the range became more colourful and the first stainless steel products appeared, the waste collector was still a necessary evil in the kitchen and bathroom and was primarily designed according to functional criteria.
Rising mountains of garbage - and their disposal - were just a hotly debated topic among experts in the 1980s when WESCO launched the double eco- collector in 1985 as the first manufacturer.
The range of built-in products is continuously expanded and now includes more than 250 items with problem solutions for every need and every kitchen.
In 1989 a new era began at Wesco with the introduction of the 'Pushboy'. If a waste collector had previously been considered a necessary evil in the kitchen, the Pushboy becomes a piece of furniture for the kitchen for the first time from the 'ugly duckling'.
The Pushboy has developed into a cult object. He is the godfather for a range of today more than 60 design products from the kitchen accessories and waste collector sector.
In 1991 the subsidiary H. Dedores & Co. GmbH was founded in Schwarzenberg, Saxony.
The Pushboy has developed into a cult object. He is the godfather for a range of today more than 60 design products from the kitchen accessories and waste collector sector.
In 1991 the subsidiary H. Dedores & Co. GmbH was founded in Schwarzenberg, Saxony.
In the following years, this decision became the cornerstone for a success story: The plant was expanded into a state-of-the-art production site through continuous investments in halls, machines and surface treatment systems.
After a private visit to Cape Canaveral in Florida in 2000 , Egbert Neuhaus, managing partner of Wesco, designed the SPACEBOY - a rocket-shaped waste collector. The successful computer game 'Captain Wesco' is created around the SPACEBOY, accompanied by a media and promotion campaign.
After a private visit to Cape Canaveral in Florida in 2000 , Egbert Neuhaus, managing partner of Wesco, designed the SPACEBOY - a rocket-shaped waste collector. The successful computer game 'Captain Wesco' is created around the SPACEBOY, accompanied by a media and promotion campaign.
In 2004 the Grandy was launched. A retro-style bread box like you know it from grandma's kitchen. Hence the name 'Grandy', from the English 'grandma'.
The Grandy has become a favorite with the public and is available in many different colors in many kitchens around the world. For some time now, the Grandy has also been offered as a real design classic in the shop of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
The Grandy has become a favorite with the public and is available in many different colors in many kitchens around the world. For some time now, the Grandy has also been offered as a real design classic in the shop of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
The Grandy family has expanded over the years to include a single Grandy for households with little space and a Mini Grandy.
After extensive renovation work created in 2011 the brand experience center VILLA WESCO with Outlet, furniture exhibition, cooking school and restaurant on the WESCO company premises in Arnsberg. The centerpiece is the listed Wilhelminian style villa.
VILLA WESCO has welcomed around 600,000 visitors since it opened.
With a range of small-sized products, WESCO is adapting to the growing number of single households. In 2012, the 'Single Breadboy' bread box, a smaller version of the WESCO classic Breadboy, was launched onto the market just as successfully as the Kickmaster jr. Waste collector, the Single Boy and a new edition of the Pushboy jr.
VILLA WESCO has welcomed around 600,000 visitors since it opened.
With a range of small-sized products, WESCO is adapting to the growing number of single households. In 2012, the 'Single Breadboy' bread box, a smaller version of the WESCO classic Breadboy, was launched onto the market just as successfully as the Kickmaster jr. Waste collector, the Single Boy and a new edition of the Pushboy jr.
The 'Superball' is also designed to save space. The stylish metal ball can be used both as a bread box and as a hygienic storage place for vegetables, fruit or pastries.
The range of kitchen accessories is continuously expanded. In 2014, a series of new storage containers and products for the set table will be launched on the market under the heading 'Metal Space' .
The range of kitchen accessories is continuously expanded. In 2014, a series of new storage containers and products for the set table will be launched on the market under the heading 'Metal Space' .
After the marketing award for South Westphalia, Wesco received the 'Best of DMV' award from the German Marketing Association in 2015 .
The award is given for 'consistent brand management in the area of tension between tradition and progress, through which the company has developed a consistent brand architecture and an outstanding position in the consumer market.'
After extensive construction work, the second VILLA WESCO will open on the Balearic island of Mallorca in March 2016 . Like the VILLA in Arnsberg, it is also designed as a brand experience center.
The historic building in which VILLA is housed dates from 1867 - the founding date of the M. Westermann company.
The historic building in which VILLA is housed dates from 1867 - the founding date of the M. Westermann company.
In the anniversary year 2017 , the new Classic Line series with the 'Elly' bread box as well as a pastry and storage jar is reminiscent of historical predecessors from WESCO.
Today, 120 employees work at the company's headquarters in Arnsberg, just as many work at the subsidiary in Schwarzenberg. The products are exported widely from Arnsberg to over 50 countries.
In addition to the household goods range and the extensive built-in range, outdoor kitchens have also been part of the product range for some time. The pieces of furniture are handcrafted to order in the factory at the Arnsberg location. Wesco is thus still a metal manufacturer in the classic sense.
State-of-the-art technology and the best materials guarantee the quality and robustness of WESCO products. But the finishing touches are taken care of by the employees: only those who really know the metal can give it unusual shapes.
In addition to the household goods range and the extensive built-in range, outdoor kitchens have also been part of the product range for some time. The pieces of furniture are handcrafted to order in the factory at the Arnsberg location. Wesco is thus still a metal manufacturer in the classic sense.
State-of-the-art technology and the best materials guarantee the quality and robustness of WESCO products. But the finishing touches are taken care of by the employees: only those who really know the metal can give it unusual shapes.
THANK YOU
We would like to thank our customers, our business partners, former and current employees and of course all friends of the WESCO brand
for 150 years of trust, good cooperation, support and help, inspiration, suggestions, criticism and praise.
For having accompanied Wesco faithfully for so long!