In 1853, the Metallwarenfabrik Straub & Schweizer was founded at Geislingen (Steige), which in 1880 merged with the Metallwarenfabrik A. Ritter & Co., Esslingen, to form a joint-stock company under the name of Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik. By the turn of the century the undertaking, with its extensive programme of table, kitchen and household products, had already become acknowledged as the “largest establishment of its kind”. WMF’s competence in the field of table and kitchenware for both the private and commercial sectors has been steadily developed up to the present day.

WMF products for the gastronomic and communal catering sectors have also acquired an excellent reputation. Worldwide, WMF has become one of the preferred suppliers to leading hotels and international hotel chains. To satisfy their demands, WMF’s range has been extended from top-quality cutlery, table and kitchenware to include the most modern and efficient commercial coffee machines. WMF bulk brewing machines, which include waiter self-service systems and electronic cash points, are leaders in the field of coffee machines, as are the WMF single-cup automats for special coffee blends and their specific preparation.