History - Griesser Group

With the purchase of a workshop in Aadorf (Switzerland) in 1882, Anton Griesser created the basis for today’s traditional company. The pioneering spirit and entrepreneurship of the company founder have accompanied the history of the Griesser brand over the years and live on in its philosophy and products. Griesser has been a family business since its foundation and has retained its independence to this day.

Timeline of Griesser history

2021

Official ground-breaking ceremony for the new production building at the Möckern site

weinor is expanding its production capacity at its Möckern plant in Saxony-Anhalt with a new production hall including a state-of-the-art powder coating facility. With this investment of 12 to 13 million euros plus expenditure on machinery and equipment, weinor will almost double its capacity in Möckern in the medium term.

August 2021

Starting signal for a climate-friendly fleet

Griesser has set itself a major goal for greater sustainability: by 2030 at the latest, all 400 company vehicles will be converted to emission-free electric drives.

June 2021

New customer center in Lyon

After a year of construction, Griesser is able to open a new customer center in Lyon (F).

2021

First sustainable awning fabric collection modern basics blue®

modern basics blue® is the first sustainable awning fabric collection for outdoor use whose Tempotest® Starlight® blue sun protection fabric is certified with 85% recycled PET in accordance with the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). Compared to conventional polyester awning fabrics, it scores with a significantly better environmental footprint in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emissions and water consumption. modern basics blue® has already won six product and design awards since its launch.

June 2020

Expansion of production in Aadorf

Griesser AG is investing in its headquarters and replacing an old hall with a new building. This will enable more efficient production, thanks in part to a new powder coating system.

2021

Rollout New Branding - Inspired by the Sun.

Curtain up for "Inspired by the Sun."
From 20.01.2021, Griesser will be unveiling its new logo and brand identity. This marks the start of a new era for Griesser. The future of Griesser is resource-conserving and ambitious. With its new image, Griesser presents itself as more sustainable, authentic and emotional throughout Europe. The modernized logo is now reduced to its essential components. The new corporate color, a sun-drenched green, is primarily aimed at a high level of environmental awareness and a look into the future.

2020

Architect's Darling: Gold for Griesser

Griesser has once again won the golden phoenix at the Swiss "Architects' Darling 2020" awards. After winning in the sun and weather protection category at the award, which was held for the first time in 2018, Griesser received the golden phoenix again this year. The company impressed in all categories.

2019 and 2021

Top job award for outstanding employer qualities

weinor has twice been recognized as one of the most employee-friendly companies in Germany. The Top Job seal recognizes the health and performance-promoting workplace culture of the Cologne-based medium-sized company.

2019

Management change at Griesser

After 28 years, Walter Strässle, the previous CEO and co-owner, is handing over the operational management of the Griesser brand to Urs Neuhauser. Even after the change at operational level, the Group will remain in family ownership - Walter Strässle will become Chairman of the Board of Directors in May and will actively steer the direction of the Griesser brand at strategic level.

Urs Neuhauser has been responsible for various business units in the construction industry for the past seven years as a member of the Group Management of Swiss company Jansen AG. Under his leadership, new markets were developed, businesses strengthened and innovations implemented. As the new head of Griesser, Urs Neuhauser will now contribute his experience and continue to develop the brand.

2018

Presentation of the "cubic worlds" at the R+T trade fair

At the R+T trade fair in Stuttgart, weinor will be presenting its new products with a cubic design in 2018: first and foremost the Terrazza Pure glass patio roof and the Kubata patio awning.

2018

Architects' Darling Swiss Edition 2018: Gold für Griesser

Griesser is delighted to receive the "Architects' Darling" award in the sun and weather protection category.
On March 15, 2018, we received the golden phoenix at the award ceremony in Kaufleuten Zurich.

The winner was determined on the basis of a comprehensive and independent survey of around 400 architects in Switzerland, who were able to choose their "favorite" from 82 building product manufacturers in 20 categories.

2014

New construction of the central location in Cologne with a large showroom

After two years of construction, weinor opens a new, prestigious building at its Cologne site. In addition to modern offices, the high-quality exhibition area with over 1,000 m2 of space is an absolute highlight.

2014

Innovation award for folding scissor shutter

Griesser wins the innovation prize at the Equip'Baie international trade fair in Paris with its folding scissor shutter.

2012

Innovation award for Metalunic Sinus

Griesser received the innovation award for the Metalunic Sinus vertical blind at the Equip'Baie international exhibition in Paris.

2012

Takeover of A.S.T

Griesser took over the company A.S.T - Alu-System-Technik (now Griesser AST GmbH), the European expert for aluminum folding and sliding shutters, with a factory in Nenzing (Austria).

2011

Eventcenter für Griesser AG Event center for Griesser AG

In January 2011, Griesser AG inaugurated the eventcenter in Aadorf. The newly built eventcenter is both a showroom and training center in one and is used for internal and external training courses on all aspects of sun protection. The eventcenter offers space for up to 140 people.

2009

The KMU-Award 2009 goes to Griesser AG

FDP. Die Liberalen regularly awards the KMU prize, this year to a company that is particularly committed to energy efficiency and the environment.
It is not only since the rise in energy prices that entrepreneurs have become more aware of the need to invest in sustainable environmental and energy technology. Today, if you want to be economically successful, you cannot ignore ecology. FDP.Die Liberalen Thurgau is convinced that better environmental conditions can be created without dampening economic well-being. With this year's KMU prize, it therefore addressed those companies that are convincingly committed to energy efficiency and environmental issues.
The jury, chaired by Dr. Wolfgang Maute and consisting of representatives from Thurgau's business community and the party leadership of the FDP Thurgau, was unanimous: this year's KMU Award 2009 goes to Griesser AG in Aadorf.
Griesser attaches great importance to innovative spirit and quality. For example, in the area of energy efficiency, from the building envelope to the production processes and the product itself. This also convinced the jury.

since 2008

weinor awnings, patio roofs and glass oases win a total of over 30 product and design awards

Whether Red Dot Award, iF Design Award or German Design Award: weinor products have been showered with design prizes in recent years - a clear indication of their design quality.

2008

Renovation of head office & CO2 reduction

The office building at the Griesser headquarters is being renovated and brought up to the latest technical and energy standards. A special night-time cooling and ventilation concept combined with state-of-the-art slatted blinds will ensure a high level of energy efficiency and make an important contribution to the environment.

2007

Subsidiary in Spain

The subsidiary "Griesser S.L. Persians y Estores" in La Pobla de Claramunt / Barcelona (Spain) is founded.

2007

Coil coating & Co2-reduction

5 million is invested in the new coil coating system. The plasma system, the only one of its kind in the world, is used to coat aluminum slats. This investment not only speeds up production fourfold, but also contributes to environmental protection by eliminating hexavalent chromium during cleaning.

2006

motivation award „Thurgauer Apfel“

Griesser is chosen by an independent jury as the winner of the "Thurgauer Apfel" motivation award. This prize rewards outstanding entrepreneurial achievements that have an impact beyond the canton's borders.

2005

Modern innovation center

Modern lofts are built from production rooms. The innovation center is available for the innovation team of Storen und Rolladen as well as for the control team of Griesser Electronic AG.

2003

weinor launches patio roofs on the market

The weinor Terrazza glass patio roof is characterized by its elegant design and high load-bearing capacity. The Terrazza family has grown considerably since 2003 - for example in 2018 with the cubic Terrazza Pure and in 2020 with the timeless Terrazza Sempra.

2003

Establishment of the weinor e-shop

Early on, weinor specialist partners had the opportunity to order awning, patio roof and Glasoasen® products online. Then as now, the weinor e-shop makes ordering sun and weather protection products much easier.

2001

Awning production in Aadorf

A production hall for awnings is built at the Aadorf plant (Switzerland). In-house fabric production for awnings (sun blinds) enables efficient production. The aim is to achieve shorter delivery times for awning products.

1995

Powder coating plant

A technologically advanced powder coating system with a highly flexible color change system is installed. This allows the blinds and roller shutters to be efficiently designed in a variety of colors.

1991

Griesser acquires majority stake in weinor

Griesser Holding AG acquires a majority stake in weinor. This creates a strong, globally active partnership in the field of sun and weather protection.

1991

Foundation of the Möckern production site near Magdeburg

On March 15, 1991, the new production facility for folding arm awnings was officially opened in Möckern near Magdeburg. Since then, the site has been repeatedly expanded. A new 7,350 m2 production hall will be completed in 2023.

1975

Innovation award for Rolpac

Griesser receives an innovation award for the invention of the "Rolpac" folding roller shutter at the Batimat international construction trade fair in Paris.

1975

Purchase Multronic Zürich AG

Griesser takes over Multronic Zürich AG (now Griesser Electronic AG), which is based in Dübendorf. The company is responsible for the development and manufacture of blind controls as well as information and transmission systems.

1960

Founded in Cologne by Dieter Weiermann

It all began with a small and inventive craftsman's business: in 1960, Dieter Weiermann founded a company in Cologne for the installation of window sills and curtain rails. Today, weinor is the market leader in Northern Europe for sun and weather protection on patios.

1955

A heavy blow of fate

On the night of March 29/30, a major fire destroys considerable parts of the production facilities in Aadorf. Thanks to a great deal of help from suppliers, residents of Aadorf and competitors, production can be resumed a few days after the fire.

1949

First external venetian blinds

Production of the patented "Solomatic" external venetian blinds is launched for the first time. The product has a single operating element for lowering, raising and pivoting the slats.

1928

Subsidiary in France

The "Manifacture de stores roulants Griesser et Cie" is founded in Nice, France, with its own factory. Internally, the subsidiary is called "Griesser France".

1924

Subsidiary in Italy

The subsidiary "Manifattura di Persiane Avvolgibili, Camerlata" is founded with its own factory in Camerlata-Como, Italy.

1920

Opening in Zurich

The first sales and assembly operations are founded in Switzerland. The branch in Zurich in 1920, in Basel and Lausanne in 1931, in Berne in 1938 and in Geneva in 1943.

1882

Foundation of Griesser

Anton Griesser buys a mill construction workshop in Aadorf and settles there with his wife, Marie Meier, as a young, self-employed craftsman. Thanks to his never-tiring initiative, the roller shutters, which were almost unknown at the beginning, found more and more markets, not only in Switzerland.