Zwilling J. A. Henckels
{{Short description|German knife-maker}}
{{expand German|Zwilling J. A. Henckels|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Zwilling J. A. Henckels AG
| logo = J._A._Henckels_logo.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| type = Subsidiary (AG)
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = Solingen, Germany
{{Start date and age|1731|6|13|df=y}}
| founder = Peter Henckels
| defunct =
| location_city = Solingen, Germany
| location_country =
| location =
| locations =
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people =
| industry = Kitchenware
| products = Kitchen knives, cutlery, cookware
| services =
| market cap =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| aum =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent = Werhahn KG
| divisions =
| subsid = Staub, Demeyere, Miyabi, Ballarini, Henckels Intl.
| homepage = {{url|https://www.zwilling.com/}}
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
Zwilling J. A. Henckels AG is a German knife-maker based in Solingen, Germany. It is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of kitchen knives for domestic and professional use, having been founded in June 1731 by Peter Henckels. It is also one of the oldest operating companies in the world. The brand's namesake was Johann Abraham Henckels (1771–1850), who renamed the brand after himself under his leadership. J. A. Henckels is one of the leading manufacturers of chef's knives. Since 1970, Zwilling is fully owned by Werhahn KG. The following brands belong to the Zwilling Group: ZWILLING, HENCKELS, Miyabi, BSF, Demeyere, Staub, Fontignac, Ballarini, Flammkraft, and Santos Grills.
Early history & expansion
"Zwilling" (German for 'twin') was founded on 13 June 1731 by the German knife-maker Peter Henckels.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tNweAQAAMAAJ&q=Peter+Henckels |title=The Saturday Evening Post |date=November 1950 |publisher=Curtis Publishing Company |language=en}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZg6AQAAMAAJ&q=Peter+Henckels&pg=RA1-PA183 |title=Special Consular Reports |date=1904 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}} The logo was registered with the Cutlers' Guild of Solingen, making Zwilling one of the earliest examples of a trademarked company.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cH4fAAAAYAAJ&q=Peter+Henckels&pg=RA2-PA183 |title=Congressional Serial Set |date=1904 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Statistics |first=United States Department of Commerce and Labor Bureau of |url=https://archive.org/details/industrialeduca00statgoog |page=[https://archive.org/details/industrialeduca00statgoog/page/n189 183] |title=Industrial Education and Industrial Conditions in Germany : Special Consular Reports Vol. Xxxiii |date=1905 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}} In 1771, Peter's son Johann Abraham Henckels (1771–1850){{snd}} the later namesake of the company{{snd}} was born.{{Cite book |last=Kelleter |first=Heinrich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6cbAQAAMAAJ&q=Peter+Henckels |title=Geschichte der Familie J. A. Henckels in Verbindung mit einer Geschichte der solinger Industrie |date=1924 |publisher=J. A. Henckels |language=de}}{{Cite book |last=Schwärzel |first=Renate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nHy7xZLKT0C&q=Peter+Henckels&pg=PA113 |title=Deutsche Wirtschafts Archive: Nachweis historischer Quellen in Unternehmen, Körperschaften des Öffentlichen Rechts (Kammern) und Verbänden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland |date=1994 |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag |isbn=978-3-515-06211-4 |language=de}} The Henckels logo has been in the current shape with a red background since 1969.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vtu0Ds2fABkC&q=Peter+Henckels |title=DE Magazin Deutschland |date=2013 |publisher=Frankfurter Societäts-Medien GmbH |language=en}}
J. A. Henckels opened the first trading outlet in 1818 in Berlin,{{Cite book |last=Kelleter |first=Heinrich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6cbAQAAMAAJ&q=zwilling+1818+berlin |title=Geschichte der Familie J. A. Henckels in Verbindung mit einer Geschichte der solinger Industrie |date=1924 |publisher=J. A. Henckels |language=de}} opening a shop in New York City in 1883 and followed a year later by Vienna.{{Cite book |last=Schwärzel |first=Renate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nHy7xZLKT0C&q=zwilling+1818+berlin&pg=PA113 |title=Deutsche Wirtschafts Archive: Nachweis historischer Quellen in Unternehmen, Körperschaften des Öffentlichen Rechts (Kammern) und Verbänden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland |date=1994 |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag |isbn=978-3-515-06211-4 |language=de}} The company exhibited its products at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Great Britain, being awarded an international knifesmithing medal.{{Cite book |last=Robuck |first=Mike |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uj-CDwAAQBAJ&q=Henckels+Crystal+Palace&pg=PT107 |title=Gun Trader's Guide to Collectible Knives: A Comprehensive, Fully Illustrated Reference with Current Market Values |date=2014-08-05 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-62914-320-0 |language=en}}
J. A. Henckels was awarded the Grand Prix prize in Paris in 1900{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IW4oAAAAYAAJ&q=Henckels+Grand+Prix+of+St.+Louis |title=Home Furnishing Review |date=1909 |publisher=Andrew J. Haire |language=en}} and the Grand Prix of St. Louis in 1904.{{Cite book |last=Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft |first=Hamburg-Amerikanische |url=https://archive.org/details/guidethroughger00gesgoog |title=Guide Through Germany, Austria-Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Holland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, &c: Souvenir of the Hamburg-American Line |date=1908 |publisher=J. H. Herz |language=en}}{{Cite book |author=Germany Reichskommission, Weltausstellung in St. Louis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s41eqTqWUroC&q=Henckels+Grand+Prix+of+St.+Louis |title=International Exposition St. Louis 1904: Official Catalogue. Exhibition of the German Empire |date=1904 |publisher=Georg Stilke |language=en}} It was also awarded with the Prussian State Golden Medal. Henckels was also given a royal warrant of appointment as purveyors of knives to the Imperial and Royal Court of Austria-Hungary (see K.u.k. Hoflieferant'' {{in lang|de}}{{Cite book |last=Österreich-Ungarn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GQIGo_2eiEkC&q=Henckels+K.u.k.+Hoflieferant&pg=RA6-PT29 |title=Hof- und Staats-Handbuch der Österreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie: für das Jahr ... nach amtlichen Quellen zusammengestellt |date=1918 |publisher=Hof- und Staatsdr. |language=de}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RpdfAAAAcAAJ&q=Henckels+K.u.k.+Hoflieferant |title=Hof- und Staats-Handbuch der Österreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie |language=de}}).
Since 1970, Zwilling is fully owned by [https://www.werhahn.de/ Werhahn KG] located in Neuss.{{citation|author=J.A. Henckels ZWILLINGSWERK AG (Hrsg.)|title=1731–1981, 250 Jahre ZWILLING J.A. Henckels (Jubiläumsbroschüre)|publisher=Solingen|year=1981}}, S. 22.
Brands & current state
The company operates several brands, including Zwilling J. A. Henckels, J. A. Henckels International, Miyabi (former Nippa), Staub, Demeyere, Ballarini, and BSF.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VdInWy3EOIgC&q=Henckels+BSF |title=Fabrikverkauf in Deutschland- 2005/2006: Der grosse JET Einkaufsführer |date=September 2004 |publisher=Zeppelin Verlag |isbn=978-3-933411-34-1 |language=de}} Through these activities, the company also operates its own retail shops both in Germany and internationally, among them about 200 sub-stores in China. Since 1970 the company has been owned by the Werhahn Group,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B8M7AAAAMAAJ&q=Henckels+Werhahn+Group |title=Economic Bulletin |date=1972 |publisher=Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce |language=en}} with a staff of 3,200 worldwide. Profits amounted to €282 million in 2007, with 80% of its profits generated outside Germany. In 2004, Henckels acquired the Japanese knife manufacturer Nippa and the U.S. beauty specialist Tweezerman, which is operated independently from Zwilling.{{Cite web |title=J. A. Henckels Acquires Tweezerman and Japanese Cutlery Manufacturer |url=https://www.homeworldbusiness.com/j-a-henckels-acquires-tweezerman-and-japanese-cutlery-manufacturer/ |date=2004-12-28 |website=HomeWorld Business |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-01}}{{cite web | url=https://fortune.com/2013/12/19/dal-lamagna-the-rise-of-the-tweezerman/amp/ | title=Dal LaMagna: The rise of the Tweezerman | Fortune | date=19 December 2013 }}
= Hairdressing =
Since 1988, J. A. Henckels has partnered with Solingen-based professional hairdressing equipment manufacturer Jaguar,{{cite web |title=Company history |url=http://www.jaguar-solingen.com/en/company/history/ |work=Jaguar Solingen |publisher=Jaguar |access-date=18 April 2012}} which became part of the Zwilling group in 2004 to make product for the hairdressing industry, also owning a selection of hairdressing equipment brands.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsoUAQAAMAAJ&q=Henckels+Jaguar |title=BTC |year=1993 |publisher=Gale Research |isbn=9780810381681 |language=en}}
= Cookware =
With the 2008 acquisitions of the Belgian manufacturer Demeyere (stainless steel cookware) and the French group Staub, which produces enameled cast iron cookware, Zwilling moved to expand the cookware segment of its business.{{Cite web |title=Henckels Acquires Staub |url=https://www.homeworldbusiness.com/henckels-acquires-staub/ |date=2008-05-09 |website=HomeWorld Business |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-01}}
Knife lines
In 1976 Henckels introduced the Four Star line, which is a fully forged knife with a molded handle made of polypropylene and a tang extending into the handle.{{Cite book |last=Kling |first=Rob |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vvSVtTkmfv4C&q=henckel+The+Four+Star+knife&pg=PA54 |title=Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices |date=1996-02-28 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-08-050263-2 |language=en}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcIDAAAAMBAJ&q=henckel+The+Four+Star+knife&pg=PA37 |title=Dwell |date=February 2008 |publisher=Dwell, LLC |language=en}} The majority of Zwilling knives have blades constructed from high-carbon stainless steel, which is ice-hardened for sharpness and stain resistance, along with a partnership allowing some products constructed using a microcarbide powder steel with clad layers, which are manufactured in Japan. In 2011 Zwilling partnered with Master Bladesmith and designer Bob Kramer to launch a series of co-branded knives, starting with a carbon steel line.{{cite news |title=Bladesmith Bob Kramer Partners with ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS to Create Custom Knives |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bladesmith-bob-kramer-partners-with-zwilling-ja-henckels-to-create-custom-knives-105442498.html |access-date=29 November 2022 |work=PR Newswire |date=21 October 2010 |location=Seattle}}
Manufacturing process
File:JA Henckels Twin Cuisine line peeling knife 2.JPG
Henckels knives are manufactured in several ways. A large selection of the knife range are forged from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, which is cold-hardened to improve stain resistance. This hardening process consists of cryogenic tempering and involves immersing the finished knife blades in liquid nitrogen.{{Cite news |date=2017-07-26 |title=This Kitchen Knife Is Both Functional and Frameworthy |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-26/this-miyabi-chef-knife-is-both-functional-and-frameworthy |access-date=2020-09-07}} This process is required to get full hardness from most stainless knife steels, as it completes the conversion of austenite to martensite. The process of forging is intended to produce improved cutting-edge retention, weight, balance, and reduced opportunity for metal fatigue. Most of Zwilling's higher end knives are manufactured in Solingen, Germany,{{Cite web |title=Inside the Henckels Knife Factory |url=https://www.eater.com/2011/9/29/6647599/inside-the-henckels-knife-factory |last=Forbes |first=Paula |date=2011-09-29 |website=Eater |language=en |access-date=2020-05-01}} while others, including Henckels branded knives are made in Spain and China.{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/7955566Z:CH | title=Shanghai Zwilling JA Henckels Ltd - Company Profile and News | website=Bloomberg News }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.zwilling.com/us/about-us/our-factories/article-about-factories.html?fdid=manufacturing|title=Learn more about OUR FACTORIES | ZWILLING.COM|website=www.zwilling.com|accessdate=29 November 2022}}
Modern expansion
In 1909 Henckels set up its first subsidiary in the U.S.,{{Cite web |title=Solingen: Jubiläumsmesser aus echtem Brückenstahl |url=https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/solingen/jubilaeumsmesser-aus-echtem-brueckenstahl_aid-19225675 |website=RP ONLINE |date=8 June 2016 |language=de |access-date=2020-05-01}} followed by Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, France, Spain, China. In 2008, subsidiaries were set up in Great Britain and Brazil.
In popular culture
A Henckels shop front can be seen in a whole scene in Fritz Lang's 1931 film M (approximately 51 minutes into the movie). In 2010 Jeffrey Elliot and Michael DeWan wrote The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Complete Guide to Knife Skills: The Essential Guide to Use, Techniques and Care, which is available in English, Dutch, and French.{{Cite book |last1=Elliot |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Dewan |first2=James P. |year=2010 |title=Zwilling J.A. Henckels Complete Book of Knife Skills: The Essential Guide to Use, Techniques & Care |publisher=Robert Rose |isbn=978-0778802563 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|J. A. Henckels}}
- {{Official|https://www.zwilling.com/}}
{{Knives}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Companies based in Solingen
Category:Cooking appliance brands
Category:Manufacturing companies of Germany
Category:Knife manufacturing companies
Category:Purveyors to the Imperial and Royal Court