WMF brand history: German kitchenware, engineered since 1853
From a 16-person metal workshop in Geislingen to a global name in cookware, cutlery and professional coffee machines. Here is how WMF built its reputation for quality, craftsmanship and award-winning design.
What is WMF?
WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) is a German kitchenware and tableware maker founded in 1853 in Geislingen an der Steige. It is best known for Cromargan® 18/10 stainless steel cookware and cutlery, an in-house design studio, and repeated wins at the Red Dot, iF and German Design Awards. Since 2016 WMF has been part of Groupe SEB.
Why can you trust WMF when you buy kitchenware?
Trust in a kitchen brand comes from evidence you can check: how long it has been making things, what it makes them from, who designs them, and what independent juries say. WMF has a clear record on all four.
More than 170 years of manufacturing
WMF began in 1853 and by 1900 was described as the world’s largest producer and exporter of household metalware. Few kitchenware brands can point to the same unbroken record, and the company still has its headquarters in the town where it started.
A material with a name and a history
Cromargan® is WMF’s own name for 18/10 stainless steel, built on V2A steel developed by Krupp. WMF secured exclusive rights to use it for tableware and kitchenware and has refined it since, including the scratch-resistant Cromargan protect®.
Design made in-house
The WMF Design Studio creates most of the company’s award-winning products. Keeping design close to engineering means shape, balance, handling and durability are decided together, not handed off.
Recognised by independent juries
WMF has won the Red Dot Award, the iF Design Award and the German Design Award across cookware, cutlery, ovenware and professional coffee machines. Juries judge function and craftsmanship, not marketing.
Transparent about where it stands today
WMF is backed by Groupe SEB, a global small-appliance and cookware group with a long record of its own. Like any international manufacturer, WMF Group produces in more than one country, so the honest advice is to read the product page and label for the exact line you are buying.
WMF history timeline: key dates from 1853 to today
Each milestone below builds on the last, from silver-plated tableware to stainless steel and modern design.
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A metal workshop opens in Geislingen
Mill owner Daniel Straub and the Schweizer brothers found Metallwarenfabrik Straub & Schweizer with about 16 employees, silver-plating household metalware.
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First international recognition
Tableware and serving pieces win medals at the world exhibition in London, putting the young company on the international map.
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First retail branch in Berlin
The Berlin shop is the start of a company-owned retail network that WMF still operates today.
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The merger that creates WMF
Straub & Schweizer joins Ritter & Co. of Esslingen to form Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG, based in Geislingen.
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Art Nouveau design and global scale
The WMF art studio under sculptor Albert Mayer shapes the company’s Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) look. By 1900 the Geislingen factory employs about 3,000 people. Acquisitions of Orivit (1905) and Orion (1906) deepen its metalware range.
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Cromargan® stainless steel arrives
WMF launches its first Cromargan® cookware at the Leipzig Trade Fair, the same year it introduces its first electric coffee maker for commercial use.
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Cromargan® cutlery
The first Cromargan® cutlery line extends the material from the kitchen to the dining table.
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WMF joins Groupe SEB
Groupe SEB acquires WMF Group from the investment firm KKR, bringing WMF into a global kitchenware and small-appliance group.
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A run of international design awards
The WMF Design Studio collects Red Dot, iF and German Design Awards, including Red Dot: Best of the Best for WMF Kineo cutlery in 2020.
What is Cromargan®, and why does it matter for quality?
Cromargan® is WMF’s registered name for 18/10 stainless steel. WMF secured the exclusive right to use Krupp’s V2A steel for tableware and kitchenware, and in 1927 it showed the first Cromargan® cookware at the Leipzig Trade Fair. Cutlery followed a few years later.
The “18/10” refers to the alloy: roughly 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. That mix is why good stainless steel resists corrosion, keeps its finish and does not affect the taste of food.
WMF has kept developing the material. Cromargan protect® is a further development with a hard, scratch-resistant surface, aimed at cookware that stays looking good through daily use.
WMF innovation and design awards: a record of recognition
Innovation at WMF is not a slogan. It runs from the first Cromargan® cookware in 1927 to today’s WMF Design Studio, whose work regularly appears in the Red Dot, iF and German Design Award lists. Independent juries assess function, ergonomics, materials and craftsmanship, which makes these awards a useful shortcut when you are choosing between brands.
The table below lists selected award-winning WMF products. For the complete and current list, see WMF’s own awards page in the sources below.
| Year | Product | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | WMF Ultimate BlackTableware and cookware | iF Design Award |
| 2022 | WMF Perfection 800 LProfessional coffee machine series | Red Dot Award |
| 2022 | WMF Art Deco and Trilogie cutlery; WMF Barista cupsCutlery and drinkware | Red Dot Award |
| 2020 | WMF Kineo cutleryIn-house design by the WMF Design Studio | Red Dot: Best of the Best |
| 2020 | WMF OvenwareDesigned by the WMF Design Studio | iF Design Award |
| 2019 | Fusionset Functional cookwareDesigned by NOA | German Design Award: Winner |
| By 2020 | WMF Compact CuisineInternally designed cookware series | German Design Award |
| 2024 | WMF espresso NEXTSemi-automatic espresso machine | Red Dot Award and iF Design Award |
The red dot marks Red Dot Design Awards. Juries for the Kineo cutlery praised its finely finished, subtle design and balance in the hand. The jury for the espresso NEXT highlighted its solid workmanship and high-end look.
How to buy WMF with confidence
WMF covers many lines and price points. A few checks make sure you get the right one.
- Look for Cromargan® or 18/10. Stainless steel lines state the material in the product details.
- Match the line to your hob. Check induction compatibility on the product page before you order.
- Check the country of origin. WMF Group produces in several countries, and the label or listing shows where your item was made.
- Buy from WMF stores or authorised retailers. This keeps warranty and after-sales support simple.
- Read the care instructions. Dishwasher and cleaning guidance differs between lines.
- Check the warranty terms. Coverage varies by product and region, so confirm it on the retailer’s page.
WMF frequently asked questions
What does WMF stand for?
WMF stands for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, which translates roughly as Württemberg Metalware Factory. The name dates from 1880, when Straub & Schweizer merged with Ritter & Co. of Esslingen.
When and where was WMF founded?
WMF was founded in 1853 in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany, by mill owner Daniel Straub and the brothers Friedrich and Louis Schweizer. It began as Metallwarenfabrik Straub & Schweizer with around 16 employees.
Is WMF a good quality brand?
WMF is widely regarded as a premium German kitchenware brand. Its reputation rests on more than 170 years of manufacturing, Cromargan® 18/10 stainless steel, an in-house design studio and repeated wins at the Red Dot, iF and German Design Awards. Quality and features still vary by product line, so match the range to how you cook.
What is Cromargan®?
Cromargan® is WMF’s brand name for 18/10 stainless steel, which contains roughly 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. It is based on V2A steel developed by Krupp, for which WMF secured exclusive rights for tableware and kitchenware. WMF launched its first Cromargan® cookware at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1927.
Which design awards has WMF won?
WMF products have won the Red Dot Award, the iF Design Award and the German Design Award. Examples include WMF Kineo cutlery (Red Dot: Best of the Best 2020), WMF Ovenware (iF Design Award 2020), WMF Ultimate Black (iF Design Award 2023) and the Fusionset Functional cookware (German Design Award Winner 2019).
Who owns WMF?
WMF is part of Groupe SEB, the French small-appliance and cookware group, which acquired WMF Group from the investment firm KKR in 2016. WMF is still headquartered in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany.
Where are WMF products made?
WMF is headquartered in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany, and has long produced there. When Groupe SEB acquired the company in 2016, WMF Group had production sites in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, China and India. Country of origin varies by product, so check the label or product page.
What does WMF make?
WMF makes cookware, cutlery, tableware, kitchen tools and small appliances, as well as professional coffee machines for cafés and hotels.