In 1969, Wilhelm and Hans W. Wesselmann purchase VARIAMP Schweißgerätebau KG (Welding Device Engineering), which was founded in Kassel on May 2nd, 1962.
A deciding factor in the purchase of this business was that, instead of using copper wire – which had been almost prohibitively expensive since the Suez Crisis – for the production of secondary and primary coils, it successfully experimented with anodized aluminium strips.
The business is directed in the future by Wilhelm Wesselmann (on a business level) and Hans W. Wesselmann, Eng. (on a technical level).
Special types of welding transformers are produced and distributed under the protected brand name VARIAMP – derived from “variable ampere.”
The clear advantages of the VARIAMP welding transformers outfitted with aluminium coils compared to copper-wound devices are their extremely light weight, their small size, their high temperature and short-circuit resistance (VDE insulation class C), and – last but not least – their outstanding welding properties.
In 1970, the production is relocated into separate rooms in Hamm. The product range is expanded to include over 100 type variations.
In 1978, the company name is changed to “VARIAMP Schweißmaschinen Wesselmann KG.”
In 1981, Hans W. Wesselmann founds the company “VARIAMP Schweißtechnik Wesselmann GmbH,” which is based around the distribution of the world’s lightest welding devices to optimize comparable performance.
In 1984, VARIAMP Schweißtechnik Wesselmann GmbH also takes over the production. More and more, the quality of the externally acquired aluminium coil materials is no longer satisfying increased demands due to further development. It is considering producing them itself.
In 1987, Torsten Wesselmann joins the business and, as a trained electrical engineer, takes over the technical direction. The idea to roll aluminium strips into sizes and grades according to individual specifications and to anodize them themselves according to the required dielectric strengths constantly occurs in the background.
In 1992, “Umwelttechnik Wesselmann GmbH” is founded to explore environmentally friendly processes in the field of transformer and inductor technology. Hans W. Wesselmann takes over the management.
In 1994, “Umwelttechnik” obtains the newly constructed building at Gabelsbergerstraße 4 in the Hamm-Rhynern Industrial Park and, in the same year, puts the first anodizing machine into operation, which first has to meet the needs of VARIAMP Schweißtechnik Wesselmann GmbH, but is increasingly used to capacity, due to its growing reputation, more and more for orders from the relevant industry.
Towards the end of the year, Hans W. Wesselmann resigns the management. At the General Meeting, his son Torsten Wesselmann is appointed the new manager.
The corporate purpose is expanded to include environmentally friendly process and production technology in the field of surface technology as well as the construction and production of the corresponding facilities.
In 1995, the first slitting machine is established as a logical addition to the anodizing machine. Strips and foil can thus be slit and anodized in house, resulting in greater flexibility and shorter delivery times. In addition, slitting orders can now be carried out for customers – even without anodization.
In 1996, the brand name anoxal®, which stands for “anodic oxidized aluminium,” becomes a trademark protected by the German Patent Office for Umwelttechnik Wesselmann.
In the same year, the first coil winding machine enters into operation. From now on, it is possible to produce coils according to customer demand. Processing problems for the customers are thereby largely avoided, and the quality is greatly improved – for the benefit of the user. This service is so well received that,
in 1998, another coil winding machine can enter into operation.
In 2000, the second slitting machine, which can slit strips up to 1.5 mm thick and wrap them, enters into operation, and already
in 2001, the third slitting machine is necessary. This slitting machine is installed in an extension to the building. Now, a production area of around 1000 m2 is used.
In 2002, the third coil winding machine follows, and capacity constraints largely become a thing of the past. Another investment in 2002 is the third slitting machine, with which special aluminium foil can be processed, as they are a prerequisite for narrow belts and shape and special cuts, such as for “TRANSRAPID” for example.
In 2004, the fourth slitting machine and,
in 2005, the fourth coil winding machine enter into operation.
In 2006, the second anodizing machine for aluminium strips is completed and starts production.
The company is constantly growing. In the meantime, the production facilities have become too small. An expansion in the Rhynern Industrial Park is not possible, which is why the headquarters are relocated to the “Auf dem Knuf” Industrial Park in Hamm-Heessen, where production facilities with a total usable area of 2500 m2 as well as a morn office building is available.
There, a third anodizing machine enters into operation, which can continuously coat aluminium wires between 0.35 and 9 mm in diameter.
An initial supply of anodized aluminium wires is further processed and becomes part of the particularly architecturally successful façade design of the new FIFA building in Zurich.
In 2007, the 6800-m2 commercial area adjoining the business property in Heessen is acquired. Therefore, no more land-related problems with regard to future expansions are to be feared.
In 2009, the fifth slitting machine enters into operation. In the future, aluminium, copper, and other non-ferrous metals with widths up to 1100 mm can be slit.
In 2010, the company is certified under ISO 9001:2010, and the corporate identity is revised.