Overview of the history of Henke Sass Wolf, the medical technology company from Tuttlingen.

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A story about vision, growth and character.

What began in a basement in Kaiserstraße in Tuttlingen more than a century ago is now at the very top of the medical technology sector. Henke Sass Wolf is the hidden champion from the south of Baden-Württemberg – a region that has earned a reputation for all of the "tinkering" and "accomplishment" that takes place there. These values are also reflected in our history. Just like our innovative spirit, our intuition and far-sighted decisions – the basis for our success for generations.

2023

In July 2023, Henke-Sass, Wolf acquires the Zünd Präzisionsoptik AG / Optivac AG, a leading manufacturer of optical components in the micro-optics sector thus gaining an additional 60 employees as well as further resources and valuable expertise and knowledge.

A decisive step in order to ensure the supply chain and to sustainably increase the diversification of the Henke-Sass, Wolf corporate group.

2019

The Berlin-based company XION GmbH, which was founded in 1991, becomes a part of the Henke Sass Wolf Group in January 2019. This acquisition is a strategic milestone: With the know-how XION contributes in the field of endoscopic imaging, the Group can now offer solutions for the entire visualization chain. Thanks to the acquisition of XION, an additional 110 employees in the German capital's Pankow district are added to the HSW Group.

 

2016

"Nolte & Grzeszik" is renamed and becomes "Henke Sass Wolf Mikrooptik GmbH." The move from Göttingen to the new building in Nörten-Hardenberg is completed and the company's 50th anniversary is celebrated.

2015

With the strategic acquisition of Klaus Wenkert Medizintechnik GmbH, the Group keeps growing. The company, which is based in Seitingen-Oberflacht and has 50 employees, is a leading OEM manufacturer of urological and gynecological instruments – fields for which Henke Sass Wolf produces endoscopes.

2015

Nolte & Grzeszik, the microoptics production of the HSW Group, has evolved into one of the most important innovators in the field of microoptics. With a new building, the production space for microoptics manufacturing is expanded to 4,500 m².

2008

Kathrin McKenna and Nina Stackmann, the daughters of company owner Jochen Busch, join the company management and ensure the continuation of leadership in the future. The new company building of Henke Sass Wolf in Tuttlingen is completed. Cutting-edge, well-lit workspaces and a beautiful cafeteria were created in the Gänsäcker industrial park. The consolidation of the plant in Tuttlingen and the expansion to a total production space of 15,500 m² created beneficial synergies for the production process. The very positive growth of the business in the following years soon led to consideration whether a further expansion of the capacities would be needed.

2006

Henke Sass Wolf Medical Instruments (Qingdao) Ltd., a production facility in China, is founded in 2006. This production facility also allows the service of Henke Sass Wolf to be offered in Asia.

2001

The plant in Tuttlingen-Möhringen is expanded, which offers an opportunity for further growth.

1997

With the acquisition of the leading microoptics manufacturer Nolte & Grzeszik, another area of technical expertise is added, which shores up innovation within the Group. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Henke Sass Wolf, the company manufactures lenses and optical components for endoscopes.

1994

Henke Sass Wolf opens another plant in Poland (Henke Sass Wolf-Polska Sp. z o.o.). The objective is to be able to meet the economic requirements of the market in the long run. The benefits of a branch in Poland are also ideal for pursuing new opportunities on the Eastern European markets.

1991

Founding of the sales and service subsidiary Henke Sass Wolf of America. An important step for expanding the international sales and service structure in order to be able to provide the US customers an optimal service.

1987

The plant in Tuttlingen-Möhringen opens its doors. It contains the state-of-the-art machinery for the production of high-quality medical technology components and instruments, especially for endoscopy, veterinary products and control and measurement technology.

1976

The acquisition of Henke Sass Wolf by the current company owner Jochen Busch starts a new era. The modern alignment of the corporate structures and the consistent strategy to continue to focus on medical endoscopy as well as the production of syringes and cannulas energizes the company. Other parts of the current product range are developed.

1965

Georg A. Henke retires. Because there is no successor, he sells the company to the US conglomerate Litton Industries.

1961

Once again, Georg A. Henke has the right instinct for a future niche. He purchases the Berlin-based endoscopy manufacturer Sass-Wolf.

1956

The factory in Kronenstraße in Tuttlingen is acquired. The headquarters of Henke Sass Wolf are located here until mid-2008. The building now houses the Campus Tuttlingen of HFU (Hochschule Furtwangen University), in whose booster club HSW is involved.

1923

The first insulin product is launched in October 1923. The injectable drug begins its march toward dominating diabetes therapy. With his idea of "Manufacturing syringes and cannulas," Georg A. Henke bets on the right horse. The company keeps growing during the economic boom of the 1950s. At the start of the decade, it already has 170 employees.

1922

In Berlin, Albert Sass and Hans Kollmorgen are founding A. Sass & Co. Shortly thereafter, Robert Wolf joins the company, which initially trades in medical products. Sass, Wolf & Co. becomes a highly respected manufacturer of optical instruments.

1921

Georg Andreas Henke founds the medical technology company. He manages the new business with skill, dedication and visionary entrepreneurship. The initial products are made in a small basement in Tuttlingen.