Küchenprofi history: Solingen kitchen tools for cooks, since 1923
From supplying professional kitchens to equipping homes in more than 60 countries, this Solingen family company has built its name on cookware and kitchen tools for preparing, cooking and serving.
What is Küchenprofi?
Küchenprofi is a family-owned kitchenware company from Solingen, Germany, founded in 1923 by Artur Schmitz. It makes cookware in cast iron, stainless steel and aluminium, plus kitchen tools, barbecue accessories and fondue sets, sold in more than 60 countries. Küchenprofi also leads the Küchenprofi Group, home to the brands cilio, Zassenhaus and Spring.
Why can you trust Küchenprofi when you buy kitchenware?
Kitchen tools and cookware are used daily, so you want a maker with a record. Küchenprofi’s can be checked on five points.
A century of family ownership
Artur Schmitz founded the company in 1923, and it is still in family hands a hundred years later. His son Alfred Schmitz and later Alfred’s wife Helga carried it forward, and the family still leads it.
Materials that suit hard use
Küchenprofi works in stainless steel, including 18/10 for items such as fondue pots, cast iron for roasters and grill pans, and cast aluminium for non-stick pans. Its stainless steel tools are described as durable and robust.
Developed with designers
The company says it invests continuously in developing new and existing products for preparing, cooking and serving, working with well-known designers on creative solutions.
Reach and range
Küchenprofi products are sold in more than 60 countries, and its group shows about 2,500 items across four brands. The range runs from whisks and peelers to truffle slicers and lobster forks.
Clear about who it is and where to buy
Küchenprofi is based at Höhscheider Weg 29 in Solingen. It sells direct through its sister company Kochshop Solingen GmbH and a factory outlet at the site, as well as through retailers. The company says its products are made in efficient production facilities to high quality standards, and country of origin varies by product, so check the label for the item you choose.
How Küchenprofi keeps innovating, from professional kitchens to home cooks
Küchenprofi’s innovation is about range and usefulness. It started with cooking equipment for gastronomy and set out to bring professional-grade tools to home kitchens. A century later it keeps widening what it offers, and these are the ideas that define it.
Professional tools for home kitchensFrom 1923
Artur Schmitz’s vision was to supply cooking equipment to professional kitchens. The company later specialised in professional-style kitchen articles for the home, which is still its promise today.
One range for prepare, cook and serveProduct system
Küchenprofi organises its products around three stages: preparing, cooking and serving. That covers basics like whisks and peelers, specialist tools like truffle slicers, and serving pieces such as lobster forks.
Cookware in every major materialCast iron, steel, aluminium
The range includes cast iron roasters and grill pans, stainless steel serving pans and fondue pots, and non-stick aluminium pans. Covering all three materials lets cooks choose by technique, not by brand limits.
A brand refresh with clearer informationModern identity
Since 1988 the company has traded as KÜCHENPROFI. Its refreshed look brought a clearer logo and packaging with better product photography and fuller product information.
Four brands that complement each otherThe Küchenprofi Group
Küchenprofi focuses on cookware and barbecue. cilio covers coffee preparation and table accessories, Zassenhaus adds mills and cutting boards, and Spring brings fondue and induction pots. The brands fill each other’s gaps under one roof.
Investing for the next century2023
When the company marked its 100th anniversary, it began building a new high-bay warehouse next to its existing stores in Solingen, described by management as another milestone in its history.
Küchenprofi history timeline: key dates from 1923 to today
A family business that has grown for four generations of cooking.
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Artur Schmitz founds the company
Artur Schmitz starts a cooking-supplies business in Solingen under his own name, with the vision of supplying cookware to professional kitchens.
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Next generation
Alfred and Helga Schmitz expand the firm
In the second generation the company is led by Artur’s son Alfred Schmitz and later by his wife Helga, growing the range for home cooks.
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The KÜCHENPROFI name and logo
The company adopts the name and logo KÜCHENPROFI, the identity it still uses.
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Growth years
cilio, Zassenhaus and Spring join the family
The company founds its subsidiary cilio and adds the brands Zassenhaus, founded in 1867, and Spring, founded by the Spring brothers in Switzerland in 1946. Together they form the Küchenprofi Group.
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KÜCHENPROFI GmbH continues the business
Company records show KÜCHENPROFI GmbH taking over the operating business of the earlier family partnership, with headquarters at Höhscheider Weg 29 in Solingen.
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100 years and a new warehouse
The company celebrates its centenary and begins building a high-bay warehouse at its Solingen site. Its group presents around 2,500 items from four brands to retailers.
What makes Küchenprofi products high quality?
Quality in cookware starts with the material. Stainless steel resists rust and keeps its look, which is why Küchenprofi uses it for tools and pots. 18/10 stainless steel, with roughly 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel, is the grade used for items such as fondue pots.
Cast iron suits roasters and grill pans because it holds heat well. Cast aluminium pans with a non-stick coating offer quick, even heating with easy release. Having all three means cooks can match the pan to the dish.
Care differs by material and coating. Many stainless steel tools are dishwasher-safe, while cast iron and non-stick pans usually need more careful cleaning, so follow the instructions on the product page.
The Küchenprofi Group: four brands under one roof
Küchenprofi is also the name of the Solingen group that looks after four complementary brands. Here is how they fit together.
| Brand | Focus | Heritage |
|---|---|---|
| Küchenprofi | Cookware, kitchen tools and barbecue accessories | Founded in 1923 in Solingen |
| cilio | Coffee preparation and table accessories | Italian coffee culture and Mediterranean lifestyle, premium range |
| Zassenhaus | Coffee and spice mills, cutting boards | Founded in 1867Known for its patented ceramic grinder |
| Spring | Fondue and induction pots | Founded by the Spring brothers in 1946Swiss dining and table culture |
How to buy Küchenprofi with confidence
With about 2,500 items in the group, a few checks help you choose.
- Choose the material for the job. Cast iron for searing and roasting, stainless steel for durability, and aluminium with non-stick for quick everyday pans.
- Check the stainless steel grade. Look for 18/10 on the product details where it matters, such as fondue pots.
- Match the pan to your hob. Confirm induction compatibility on the product page before you order.
- Read the care instructions. Dishwasher suitability and coating advice vary between tools and cookware.
- Check the country of origin. Küchenprofi is based in Solingen, but origin varies by product, so check the label.
- Choose the right group brand. Go to cilio for coffee, Zassenhaus for mills and Spring for fondue.
- Buy from authorised sellers. Use the official shop, the factory outlet in Solingen or established retailers.
Küchenprofi frequently asked questions
What is Küchenprofi?
Küchenprofi is a family-owned kitchenware company from Solingen, Germany, founded in 1923 by Artur Schmitz. It makes cookware, kitchen tools, barbecue accessories and fondue sets, and leads the Küchenprofi Group, which also includes cilio, Zassenhaus and Spring.
When and where was Küchenprofi founded?
Artur Schmitz founded the company in Solingen, Germany, in 1923, originally to supply cooking equipment to professional kitchens. The company has used the Küchenprofi name and logo since 1988 and is still family-owned.
Is Küchenprofi good quality?
Küchenprofi is regarded as a dependable German kitchenware brand with a wide range. It combines more than 100 years of experience, durable materials such as 18/10 stainless steel, cast iron and cast aluminium, and continuous product development with named designers. Quality varies by product line, so compare materials and read the product details.
Where are Küchenprofi products made?
Küchenprofi is based in Solingen, where it develops its range and runs its headquarters and warehouse. The company says its products are made in efficient production facilities to high quality standards. Country of origin varies by product, so check the label or product page.
Who owns Küchenprofi?
Küchenprofi is a private family company from Solingen, founded by Artur Schmitz and led by the Schmitz family. Stefan Schmitz and Björn Weißmeier-Dörste are the managing directors.
Which brands belong to the Küchenprofi Group?
The Küchenprofi Group has four brands: Küchenprofi for cookware and barbecue, cilio for coffee preparation and table accessories, Zassenhaus for mills and cutting boards, and Spring for fondue and induction pots. All are based at the same site in Solingen.
What does Küchenprofi make?
Küchenprofi makes cookware in cast iron, stainless steel and aluminium, plus kitchen tools such as whisks, peelers, graters and salad spinners, barbecue tools, fondue sets and baking accessories. Its range runs from basics to specialist tools such as truffle slicers and lobster forks.
What materials does Küchenprofi use?
Küchenprofi uses stainless steel, including 18/10 stainless steel for items such as fondue pots and kitchen tools, as well as cast iron for roasters and grill pans and cast aluminium for non-stick pans. Check each product page for the exact material and care instructions.
Where can I buy Küchenprofi?
You can buy Küchenprofi from specialist kitchenware retailers and online marketplaces, from the official online shop run by Kochshop Solingen GmbH, or at the factory outlet at the company site in Solingen. Buying from authorised sellers keeps returns and support simple.
Sources
- 100 Jahre Küchenprofi (Trendwelten)
- Firma „Küchenprofi“: Eine Erfolgsgeschichte aus Solingen (SolingenMagazin)
- Küchenprofi GmbH company profile (Trendset)
- Küchenprofi GmbH manufacturer profile (lieferanten.de)
- Küchenprofi brand overview (feinkosten.de)
- Küchenprofi cookware and kitchen helpers (kochform.de)
- Küchenprofi company profile (wer-zu-wem)