Our History

Weissenfels has a long tradition of working with iron and steel, dating back many centuries ago, the first indications shown in 1404. The development of Weissenfels was undoubtedly favored by the presence in this alpine valley of small but iron rich deposits; in addition of plenty of wood and coal were especially suited to feed the low fires and forges of this period. Today Weissenfels has expanded its influence from a regional level into an international network of customers and partners, in all continents.

Weissenfels is actually the name of the town, where the iron working tools were to be found originally, sometimes in the XIV century. The first documented existence of a foundry on the river of Weissenfels is vaguely mentioned in an empowering act dating October 9th 1404, made by Frederic Count of Ortenburg.

In a following act dating 1452, the Count of Cilli refers to Weissenfels as the location with the iron furnace. During the XV century the entire valley and Weissenfels was part of the domain of the Counts of Ortenburg, followed by the Counts of Cilli. In 1456 the last Count of Cilli dies, and the territory was given to the Augsburgs who did not retain it very long. Eventually they kept administrating the territory and its furnace through several appointed governors.

The first land register of the town Weissenfels is dating 1498, and shows the first detailed location of the foundries. Very few changes were recorded up to the XVII century, when the register was left aside during the French invasion of Napoleon. With the restoration, the furnace started again as small workshop, and grew to the point that in 1897 the first Weissenfels stock company was created.

The plant was run by the firm Göppinger & Co, which gave a new direction to Weissenfels, by reducing progressively the forging production, and specializing in the production of chains from 1 to 26mm in diameter. After building a 800 Hp. hydroelectric system, they acquired new patents and modern machinery to increase productivity, establishing the home market and the most important foreign markets of that time such as the Middle East, India, Spain and Latin America.

1919 the entire valley and its belonging were given as compensation of war to Italy by the dissolving Austrian Empire. Eventually Weissenfels was taken over by a new Italian private investor short thereafter.

The 2 WW left Weissenfels pretty much unscathed, and the big step forward happened in the 1950s, on both domestic and international markets, under the ownership of Dr. Melzi. The most recent developments are more or less known.

We at Weissenfels are very proud of our own history, making us aware where we come from, and showing us the direction for the future centuries of business.