Metal Expertise for Over 200 Years

    Since 1820, Wieland has stood for entrepreneurial courage, technological curiosity and a willingness to constantly reinvent itself. Over more than two centuries, what began as an art and bell foundry in Ulm has developed into a world-leading metals company with production, service and sales sites around the globe. Wieland’s history is characterised by innovation, growth and a commitment to creating long-term value for customers, employees and future generations.

    Our Origins Our History Did You Know? 200 Years of Wieland

    Our Origins

    When Philipp Jakob Wieland took over his uncle’s art and bell foundry in Ulm in 1820, he laid the foundations for what is now the Wieland Group. The craftsmanship and metallurgical expertise he had acquired on his travels throughout Europe gave the company an early technological edge.

     

    Just a few years later, he expanded the product range to include brass sheets and wires, thereby initiating the transition from a traditional foundry to an industrial manufacturer. His flair for new markets, his innovative spirit and his willingness to actively shape change continue to characterise Wieland to this day.

    Our History

    1820

    Foundation of the Company
    Philipp Jakob Wieland takes over the art and bell foundry in Ulm.

    1820 – 1900

    From Craftsmanship to Industrial Production
    The expansion into industrial metalworking begins with the production of brass sheets and wires. Recycling and the conservation of resources were already playing an important role as early as the 19th century.

    1900–1945

    Growth and Diversification
    The company expanded its product portfolio and developed new manufacturing processes. Despite the destruction caused by the Second World War, the technological foundation remained intact.

    1945–1980

    Reconstruction and Internationalisation
    Production capacities are modernised and expanded. At the same time, the company begins to focus increasingly on the international market.

    1980–2010

    Technological Specialisation
    New materials, modern manufacturing processes and innovative applications strengthen Wieland’s position as a global supplier of copper and high-performance solutions.

    2010 – 2019

    Global Growth
    International expansion and the merger with Global Brass and Copper have created one of the world’s leading suppliers of copper and copper alloy solutions.

    Since 2020

    Transformation for the Future
    Investments in recycling, the circular economy, decarbonisation and new technologies are strengthening the company’s competitiveness and shaping the next phase of its history.

     

    Did You Know?

    As early as the 1830s, Philipp Jakob Wieland set up an in-house health insurance scheme. In doing so, the company took on social responsibility at a time when workplace protection for employees was still the exception rather than the rule.

    At its Vöhringen plant, Wieland was already using hydropower as an energy source as early as 1865. In doing so, the company embraced a sustainable and resource-efficient form of energy supply long before the energy transition.

    Following the death of Philipp Jakob Wieland, Mathilde Wieland continued to run the company from 1873 to 1892. At a time when women in leadership positions were the exception, she successfully steered the company’s fortunes and ensured its continued development.

    Around 1900, Wieland opened a crèche under the patronage of Queen Charlotte of Württemberg. This early commitment to families and social responsibility was far ahead of its time.

    With the commissioning of the first extrusion press in 1901, Wieland opened up new possibilities in metal processing and laid the foundations for numerous products that remain part of its portfolio to this day.

    What began in the 19th century with cast plates weighing around 45 kilograms has undergone a fundamental transformation through continuous technological development. Today, Wieland produces castings weighing up to 10 tonnes.

     

    Discover More

    200 years of Wieland are full of stories, people and innovations. Discover more milestones, historical images and fascinating background stories on our anniversary website.

     

    200 years of Wieland – Stories