Wenger was a Swiss cutlery manufacturer that exists today as a brand of once-rival Victorinox, used for knives, watches and licensed products.[1] Founded in 1893, it was best known as one of two companies to manufacture Swiss Army knives. Based in Delémont, Wenger was acquired in 2005 by Victorinox and partially absorbed.[2] Since 2013 Wenger Swiss Army knives have been integrated in the Victorinox collection as the "Delémont collection".
History
The history of Wenger S.A. is strongly linked to the history of the Swiss Army knife.[3]
Company origins
The industrial cutlery house of Paul Boechat & Cie (the future Wenger) was founded in 1893 at Courtételle in the Delémont valley in the Canton of Jura.
It received a contract from the Swiss Army to produce knives as the second industrial cutlery manufacturer of Switzerland.[4]
In 1897 Theodore Wenger, a minister who had served in the US, was returning home to Switzerland and was hired by the group of entrepreneurs that had bought Boechat & Cie two years earlier[4] (later renaming the company Wenger et Cie.).[5]
One of Wenger's first acts was to acquire a manufacturer of spoons and forks which he moved to a rented factory in Delémont.
In 1900, a new 18000 sqft facility was built. Both the utensil operations and the Courtételle cutlery production were incorporated into the new plant now called Fabrique Suisse de Coutellerie et Services.[4]
In 1908 the Swiss Army decided to split the contract, with half of the order going to Victorinox, in the German-speaking canton of Schwyz, and the other half to Wenger in the French-speaking part of the canton of Bern.[6]
In 1929, after Theo Wenger's death, Kaspar Oertli gained the majority share in the company.
Between 1929 and 2005
In 1988, Wenger started producing watches, one year before Victorinox.[7]
Crisis and restart
After the September 11 attacks all air traveling and related industries were facing a severe crisis. This was also the case for the Swiss Army knife manufacturers especially Wenger S.A.
Changing airport security regulations which precluded the carrying of pocket knives diminished the sales of Swiss Army knives at duty-free shops. The crisis led to the acquisition of Wenger by its competitor Victorinox in 2005.[8]
With the backing of Victorinox, Wenger was able for a time to maintain its own production and branding of Swiss army knives and watches. Wenger knives had been advertised as the "Genuine Swiss Army Knife" and Victorinox as the "Original Swiss Army Knife".
Rebranding after acquisition
Products
The two main product lines of Wenger S.A. are the "Genuine Swiss Army Knife" and Wenger Watch.
Additionally Wenger S.A. makes kitchen cutlery under the brand names of Swibo, Grand Maitre.[15]
Genuine Swiss Army Knife
Wenger produced pocket knives with body sizes ranging from about 65 mm to 130 mm (2.5" to 5") and blades of about 50 mm to 100 mm (2" to 4") in a red- or black-coloured case.
These knives often featured tools such as can openers and screwdrivers.
Since 2004, Wenger's "Evolution" series introduced ergonomic handles designed by Swiss designers Patrick Eppenberger and Paolo Fancelli, although the classic flat handles remained available.
Additionally, Wenger offered handles in various colors and materials, distinguishing itself from Victorinox by using a rectangular frame around the Swiss cross emblem (Victorinox uses a shield-shaped frame).
On Wenger knife blades, the brand name was accompanied by an embossed armbrust (crossbow), referencing Swiss national hero Wilhelm Tell.
Wenger produced numerous variants of Swiss Army knives, catering to diverse needs:
Other products
Wenger makes notepads that can function as a twofold wallet.
Wenger produced bayonets for the Swiss Stgw 90 assault rifle. The bayonet has an overall length of 310 mm and a muzzle ring diameter of 22 mm. The 177 mm long blade is single-edged and it has no fuller.
The bayonets were manufactured exclusively for the Swiss Army by Wenger and Victorinox (before the two companies merged).
In North America, licensed products using the Wenger and SwissGear trademarks are owned independently from Victorinox SA, and are used to market camping equipment (particularly tents, backpacks and sleeping bags), luggage, backpacks and office/business needs.
Gallery
See also
- Leatherman
- Gerber multitool
- Multi-tool
External links
References
- "Victorinox absorbe les activités de coutellerie de Wenger", Le Temps, mercredi 30 janvier 2013.^
- "LUXURY WATCHES NEWS : Victorinox acquires rival Wenger", Europa Star WorldWatchWeb, 4 May 2005.^
- The Rise and Fall of Wenger Swiss Army Knives