125 years of drive technology. „Made in Germany“.
Since its foundation in 1893, the key business of Wippermann has consisted in chains and chain sprockets. Drawing on its 125 years of experience in chain technology, the company today ranks among the leading-edge providers of industrial chains worldwide and offers a range of both standard and maintenance-free high-efficiency products.
In 2019, Wippermann jr. GmbH celebrated its 125th anniversary. The company which was founded in 1893 by Wilhelm Wippermann jr. "for the serial production of bicycle and motorcycle parts", produces chains and chain sprockets, and, in its early years, also manufactured other products such as spark plugs. A major success for the company was the manufacture of the truck chain in the beginning of the 20th century, which was installed in all electrical mail cars, among others.
After the turn of the century, electrical vehicles which were equipped with a chain drive were highly popular. Thanks to an international distribution system that was exceptional at the time, the company successfully extended its operations by several national and international production sites until the start of World War II.
After some setbacks during the war, the founder's children, Wilhelm & Erich, dared to start anew. During the 60s and 70s, the company's focus was on steel link chains and steel chain sprockets for various industrial application areas. Over the course of the years, this specialisation led to a broad understanding of different industries' requirements. Coupled with engineering expertise, this heritage today results in innovative high-efficiency products such as maintenance-free chains, which withstand extreme temperatures of up to 200°C for instance, can be used permanently under water as stainless version, or be deployed in the food industry due to their FDA-approval.
Since its foundation, the company's headquarters have been located in Hagen. The company already moved to the premises in Hagen-Delstern in its early years and still resides there today. Around 290 employees are working there to produce high-quality roller chains, leaf chains, accumulator chains, hollow pin chains, bush chains, as well as special chains and chain sprockets for customers from all around the world.
Over the years, production itself has changed just as much as the products: Wippermann's comprehensive technological expertise is put to use in state-of-the-art production sites. Throughout all the changes in 125 years, two things have remained the same: the company's aspiration to provide high-quality products as well as its structure as an owner-managed company, today in fifth generation.