Company

Our history

With the founding of HEWI in 1929, Heinrich Wilke helped to shape a piece of industrial history. Already 90 years ago, he developed products that were characterised by functionality and offered added value for the user. For this he received the German Inventor's Badge in 1934. As early as the end of the 1950s, Heinrich Wilke launched the first door handles onto the market, which he manufactured in the production facility still located in Bad Arolsen at the time.

A design icon is born

He and his son Rudolf Wilke, who had inherited his father's pioneering spirit, succeeded in winning the major contract for Marburg University. The architect's requirements for the door handles were demanding. In 1969, Rudolf Wilke developed the still famous lever handle 111 according to the architect's ideas.

HEWI achieved the breakthrough: brilliant colours, high-gloss surfaces and patented hardware techniques as well as unsurpassed long-lasting quality have made System 111 a design icon. Even 50 years after its creation, the 111 enriches our everyday lives. Every day anew, you have a piece of architectural history in your hand with this classic, which can still be found in many schools, health buildings and private homes.

With a system to market leadership

HEWI developed its first accessories for the bathroom to match System 111, followed by wardrobes and furniture: the system idea was born. The first barrier-free solutions such as grab rails and seats were added more than 35 years ago. In collaboration with architects and users, HEWI developed further solutions for intergenerational fittings. HEWI invested: production and toolmaking were continuously expanded and have now grown to over 46,000 square metres in Mengeringhausen.

Universal Design

From the self-image of an architect's brand, HEWI today designs barrier-free rooms - for people's own homes, hospitals, senior residences, hotels and office buildings all over the world. Typical of the HEWI brand is the design process, which has been continuously refined over the years, resulting time and again in products that are usable and useful for the largest possible group of people.

The combination of excellent design and intelligent functions is firmly anchored in HEWI's DNA, then as now. Material and design options of the HEWI systems provide countless design possibilities. The award as Hesse Champion in the category World Market Leader and numerous design awards crown the success story of the Bad Arolsen family business. Even after 90 years, HEWI still stands for innovation made in Germany.