Katalog Kretzer 2010
Company

About us

Making quality products since 1924

 

W. Kretzer KG was founded in 1924 and since then, the company has been operating as a family business. Today, W. Kretzer KG is run by the founder?s great grand daughter, Barbara Austrup-Kretzer and her husband, Markus Austrup. Barbara and Markus both hold degrees in economics.

 

In the early years of its existence the company produced a limited range of manicure and pedicure products. As the business grew, however, the Kretzer family decided to extent the company?s product range to include a variety of scissors, clippers, tweezers and other manicure products. Today, W. Kretzer KG produces an extensive range of tweezers, corn planes, scissors, clippers, and sales its products all around the globe.

 

In 2011 W. Kretzer KG once again began manufacturing professional hair scissors under the WKS brand for professionals all over the world.

 

Management constantly strives to improve the company?s products to guarantee the highest standards of quality and design. All Kretzer products undergo a highly sophisticated and efficient manufacturing process, which allows the company to offer its quality products at very competitive prices. Flexibility as a priority, Kretzer management is uniquely positioned to tailor its products to the needs of each individual client.

 

The owners are personally responsible for sales and customer service, and hence can respond quickly to requests regarding pricing, lead-time and large quantities.

 

Apart from offering outstanding customer service, it is Barbara?s and Marcus? goal to manufacture superior products, always exceeding clients? expectations. This is further supported by the organisation?s total quality management (TQM) processes, which have been implemented across all production lines. Each employee is committed to produce first-class products, in line with the ?Solingen? brand.

History

1924
Scissors grinder Wilhelm Kretzer becomes self-employed in a small cottage on Katternberg in Solingen. He accepts commissions to make all types of scissors.

 

1943
His son Willy Kretzer takes over the business with his wife Leni in World War II. They expand the contract production business to manufacture all types of pedicure and manicure articles, in particular tweezers.

 

1968
Wolfgang Kretzer, the grandson of the company founder, takes over the company. He concentrates on manufacturing tweezers and expands the company continuously. He buys in forge hammers and punching machines. The company produces the raw materials it requires itself. The transition from commission work to vertical manufacture takes place. Exports are increased and turnover increases. In the mid 1980s the company begins manufacturing files for corns. In the 1990s Wolfgang Kretzer constructs fully automatic machinery for the manufacture of tweezers. These enter operation and are successful. 

 

1998
Following the sudden death of Wolfgang Kretzer, his daughter, Barbara, takes over the company aged 25. She is the 4th generation in the family firm and she has managed it to this day together with her husband Markus Austrup.  

 

2004
The property at Dingshauser Str. 19-21 in Solingen is acquired on the 80th anniversary of the company. The company relocated there early in 2004. Since that time the company has had 650m² of production floor space and office space.

 

2011

Based on popular customer demand, W. Kretzer KG re-launches production of professional hair scissors under the brand WKS Solingen.