Wilh. Wissner GmbH

Our success story in detail

160 years Made in Germany

Qualified partner in the industry

Since 1837 and providing accessories for the lingerie industry since 1859

As a competent partner, Wissner is also able to provide you with qualified expert advice. It is our tradition. Wissner has 160 years of experience dealing with the most diverse applications in the areas of shaping, adjusting and fastening. Wissner also provides competent and economical individual solutions each and every time.

Take a look at the history of our company

The Early Years

1837
Christian Wissner inherits the plumber’s workshop at Langestrasse in Göppingen, which used to belong to the deceased Johannes Übele, after marrying his widow, Christine Katherine Übele. The company begins manufacturing a range of consumer goods from metal.

1839
Thanks to the high quality of his work, the number of orders increases and Christian Wissner expands his operation.

Growth with lingerie accessories

1859
Production of corset fasteners, whalebone busks and steel busks begins.

1870
Lines of business expand to include seals, spiral springs and suspenders.

1876
Christian Wissner transfers ownership of the operation to two of his sons. Karl Wissner takes over the plumber’s workshop and Wilhelm Wissner now manages the production of corset fasteners.

New manufacturing plants

1877
Wilhelm Wissner purchases new buildings on Hohenstaufenstrasse for his manufacturing activities.

1880
Further growth necessitates the purchase of a larger property and suitable water power. On 23 March 1880, Wilhelm Wissner hands over a sum of 10,000 Marks to become the new owner of a large site on Hohenstaufenstrasse, which includes an old walk mill, a two-storey residence and a larger courtyard. New factories are established.

1885 / 86
As water power was soon no longer sufficient, a steam engine with a 15-m high chimney stack is installed. A three-storey extension and a two-storey boiler and turbine building are built to generate power.

First international contact

1890
To enable the Italian fashion market to also be directly supplied with Wissner products, a subsidiary is established in Milan.

1916
Wilhelm Wissner dies at the age of 63. Ownership of the company passes to his son-in-law, Rudolf Lederer.

1920
The product range is expanded to include bra accessories and the construction and manufacturing of winding, cutting and folding machines for the clothing industry.

The Difficult Post-War Years

1937
Once again, the existing factory is extended.

1953
Following the difficult post-war years, Wissner recovers quickly and it becomes necessary to build a new dispatch and production building. The range also now includes WIGONA busks

1955
Rudolf Lederer’s eldest son, Rudolf Wilhelm Lederer, succeeds his father as company manager. Wissner begins manufacturing using its own plastic injection moulding technique.

The Economic Miracle

1956
Construction phases II and III of the new build are completed.

1959
Wissner celebrates its 100th anniversary.

1963
The range is expanded to include strap lugs and bra underwires.

1971
Production of hook and eye tapes begins in the Middle Franconian subsidiary and at the company headquarters in Göppingen.

Diversification

1979
A new generation of bra underwires is developed using nylon-coated flat wire: the Wissner Flexy underwire.

1992
Wissner possesses the latest generation of hook and eye tape production facilities.

1994
Rudolf Wilhelm Lederer transfers the management of Wissner to his nephew, Dr Andreas Lederer.

1999
The DUOFLEX® bra underwire is patented in Europe and the USA.

A Major milestone

2001
Production begins at the site in Hungary.

2008
Industrial robots are used for the first time to produce busks.

2009
Wissner celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Passion for Details

2018
Wissner presents its new brand image. The Passion for Details that has been a distinguishing feature of the company for 160 years becomes a recognisable symbol of the core competency.

2018
Acquisition of the bra underwire production of the company Metric. Acquisition of the "Galbline" and "Ergoline" brands.

2022
Acquisition of the company Mitex Miederband GmbH, Austria / Rise to the European market leader of bra fasteners.

Our references