History
WEH GmbH – A Family-Owned Company
A Success Story Fueled by Passion and Innovation
When Karolina and Erwin Weh founded Erwin Weh GmbH in 1973 and set up a small turning shop in the basement of their family home to manufacture parts on a contract basis, they had no idea that this would one day evolve into an internationally successful company with nearly 200 employees.
Just five years after its founding, the young company had to relocate to Siemensstraße due to a lack of space – the site where Plant 1 is still located today.
Thanks to the inventive spirit of Erwin and Wolfgang Weh and the tireless support of Karolina Weh, a small contract manufacturing workshop grew into a market leader in connection technology and alternative refueling components for hydrogen and natural gas.
The patented WEH jaw locking mechanism, developed by Erwin Weh, was the key to the global success of WEH connectors. Today, WEH holds more than 40 patents and can look back with pride on a truly unique success story.
1973
Erwin Weh GmbH is founded by Karolina and Erwin Weh as a company for the machining of precision parts.
1977
The company expands and relocates to its current headquarters on Siemensstraße.
1980
Birth of the first WEH connector – the T05. It was the connector Erwin developed for Karolina, with her support and the help of their son Wolfgang. This marked the starting point for the production of quick connectors.
1985
WEH continues to grow and begins building an international sales network. The first distribution partner in Germany is KVT König, based in Illerrieden (now Bossard Deutschland GmbH).
1986
WEH develops its first components for alternative refueling technology – marking the company’s entry into the natural gas business.
1989
Launch of a sales partnership in the UK – today’s subsidiary. To this day, all product segments for the UK and Ireland are represented from there.
1990
New decade, new name: The company is renamed to WEH GmbH Verbindungstechnik.
1996
WEH is among the early frontrunners when it comes to hydrogen. An additional product line is launched, and WEH GmbH Gas Technology is founded.
1998
WEH celebrates its 25th anniversary and has since grown into a medium-sized company with more than 50 employees.
1998
The distribution partner in England, WEH UK, becomes a subsidiary.
1999
Start of check valve production.
2003
WEH acquires MESUREUR in France as a subsidiary, thereby expanding its international presence.
2005
The now globally recognized WEH® TK17 CNG is launched on the market. Development began in 2002, and the first prototype was completed in 2003.
2005
Construction and inauguration of a new production facility in Illertissen. In August 2005, the new building is officially inaugurated, and manufacturing is relocated to Plant 2. Headquarters, sales, marketing, and shipping remain at Plant 1.
2009
Across the pond: Founding of the subsidiary WEH Technologies Inc. in the USA.
2009
A success story begins: The CLICKMATE® series for easy and safe handling of breathing air is launched.
2013
WEH GmbH celebrates its 40th anniversary together with all employees.
2015
Founding of the subsidiary WEH Asia to support partners in Asian countries.
2021
WEH continues to grow. Located between Plant 1 and Plant 2, Plant 3 – our logistics center – is established.
2022
Expansion of the service area: A modern, fully equipped service center is established at Plant 2.
2023
The anniversary year: WEH turns 50! In addition to numerous smaller activities, the celebration program includes a summer festival for employees and their families, as well as a multi-day gathering of international distribution partners.
2024
WEH takes over the product portfolio of baromax and enters the market for ultra high-pressure components.
2024
WEH Polska transitions from a distribution partner to a subsidiary.