Please select one of the following chapters:

From nail-maker to world-class tool manufacturer
The second generation
The third generation
A new beginning

Eduard Wille, the company's founder		From nail-maker to world-class tool manufacturer It was back in the middle of the 19th century, in 1862 to be exact, when science and technology were undergoing rapid changes and mankind was experiencing almost unlimited belief in progress, that the 25-year old Eduard Wille founded his nail-making factory. In the early years business boomed as a result of steady and continuous growth in the home and European economies. With his first employees Eduard Wille manufactured his products on premises totalling 150 sq. metres (approx. 1300 sq.ft.). When the first economic squeeze hit the country in 1873 business slowed down a little but was not seriously hit. The company also survived the economic crisis at the turn of the century and even managed to grow to become a respected supplier, thanks to its excellent reputation for quality products extending beyond the limits of the geographical region.
The second generation In 1899 the company tradition was continued by the two sons of the founder, Emil and Eduard Wille and was entered in the register of companies. The two "juniors" managed to weather the storm of the economic crisis and led the company to a powerful position as one of the leaders in its field with an impressive range of products. Their 1901 catalogue listed 150 product categories and covered 290 pages.
This somewhat stormy period of growth continued until 1914. At this point, the Wille brothers employed 500 staff and 25 trainees. No less than 80% of their production was exported but the advent of the First World War in 1914 put an abrupt stop to their exporting activities. In fact, the resulting economic crisis and accompanying production loss made deep inroads into the company's reserves.		The first generation of Stahlwille employees
After strenuous efforts to revitalise a worthwhile concern, the company was back up to 150 employees by 1935 and, from 1936 on, tool manufacture was the mainstay of their business. Forgings and other high-grade products helped to consolidate the name in the market.
In 1938, the grandchildren of Eduard Wille, Eduard and Waldemar, took up the baton and were now able to boast a compliment of 400 employees. The coming years again were a time of growth and success until, once again, the War took its toll. This time it was a deathly blow and by 1945 the company had come to a standstill.
A new beginning In that year, the company started again from scratch in Cronenberg. The company's factory chimney was visible for miles around and, when it started belching forth plumes of smoke after a long period of inactivity, this was a signal to the region that the original founder's optimistic slogan still applied: "Where there's a WILLE, there's a way!"		The administration and production buildings around 1935, with the company's own railhead.
Once the "Wirtschaftswunder" got under way in the 50's, the company's postwar troubles were mastered and planned expansion in all areas of the company's activities began in earnest. In recent years, modern management methods and strategic planning have resulted in steady expansion and overall development. Now, STAHLWILLE employs around 500 staff at its traditional headquarters in Wuppertal-Cronenberg, who are proud of their contribution to a diversified range of products, a precision second to none and the worldwide reputation of their tools.