Franke (company)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franke Holding AG
Type Limited Company
Founded 1911
Headquarters Aarburg, Switzerland
Key people Michael Pieper, CEO
Industry Kitchen Systems
Foodservice Systems
Washroom Systems
Coffee Systems
Beverage Systems
Industrial Engineering
Products Sinks
Hoods
Tabs
Hobs
Ovens
Employees 13,000
Website www.franke.com

Franke Holding AG, based in Aarburg, Switzerland is an industrial manufacturer with companies located around the world.

Franke has about 13,000 qualified employees working in 70 companies in Europe, South and North America, Africa, Australia and Asia.

In 2006, the Franke Group had a total turnover of CHF 3,021.0 million (USD 2,533.1 million).


Franke Kitchen Systems (sinks, extractor hoods, tabs, hobs, ovens) and Franke Foodservice Systems (systems and services for quick service restaurants) are both global market leaders in their respective segments. Further activities include Franke Washroom Systems (washroom and sanitary systems for public and semi-public use), Franke Coffee Systems with a wide range of super automatic, professional and semi-professional coffee machines, Franke Beverage Systems as well as Industrial Engineering.


Contents

[edit] Franke History

[edit] Founding years

Hermann Franke founded a sheet metal business in his name in Rorschach, Switzerland, in 1911. In the late 20’s the economic upturn in the industry and construction sector led to the incorporation of a sanitary installations department. Franke began with the production of oven tops, skylights and dormer windows.

In the 30’s Franke started production of the first sink units in nickeline, monel-metal and later in stainless steel. Franke built a new factory with offices and residential building, and the company's ten employees relocated to Aarburg, Switzerland. Franke initiated the first production series and the first fully welded, smooth sink unit.

Hermann Franke died on January 25, 1939, and his son Walter took over the business. The Second World War led to great difficulties in obtaining materials. During the years after the war the company's factory facilities expanded and the production of complete kitchens began. Franke started to export products to European countries.


[edit] Expansion years

The construction sector developed encouragingly. Business expanded rapidly. Franke became a leader in state-of-the-art kitchen sinks. In 1950 the Washroom and Sanitary Equipment product group was firmly established as part of Franke with a full range of products for communal washrooms and WC's. Production of components for propulsion systems began. Franke saw its first foreign investment in Germany and by 1955 had 500 employees.

In the late 50’s Franke’s production doubled. Factory facilities were expanded further. A "Commercial Kitchens" division was founded. By 1961 Franke had 750 employees.

Over the next twelve years Franke experienced rapid growth: 13 new subsidiaries were established and two companies began manufacturing under license. In 1972, Franke built and installed the first kitchen for McDonald's in Munich. By 1974 the company had 2,600 employees. In 1975 Franke ownership changes: Walter Franke's friend and business partner Willi Pieper took over. Four subsidiaries and two licensees were added to the group. In 1979 the now world-famous Franke compact sink system was introduced. In the late 80’s the divisional organization was establish.


[edit] Today

Michael Pieper joined Group Management in 1989. Rapid and consistent expansion transformed Franke into a corporate group with worldwide operations. Today Franke consists of approx. 13,000 employees in over 70 companies in Europe, South America, North America, Africa, Australia and Asia.


[edit] Products

Franke Kitchen Systems Franke Foodservice Systems Franke Washroom Systems Franke Coffee Systems
sinks, extractor hoods, tabs, hobs, ovens systems and services for quick service restaurants washroom and sanitary systems for public and semi-public use professional and semi-professional coffee machines

[edit] Weblinks