History

Adaptability is part of our pioneer DNA. For more than a century, it has determined how we at Franke have seized unique opportunities to drive change. This is how we always think and develop complete systems for residential and commercial kitchens, as well as for the professional preparation of coffee one step further.

Franke metalworker manufacturing sink in the nineteenthirties

An over 100-year tradition of adaptability and innovation

Based on our enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the new combined with the proven we continually position Franke to create smart solutions and services for the world of tomorrow today.

Founded in 1911 by Hermann Franke, our company has been owner managed successfully and with foresight across four generations of entrepreneurs – making it an international player in the kitchen industry and for coffee machine solutions.

We are proud of over a century of heritage and the versatility we live. They form the basis of our innovative strength, our business success, and of meeting customer needs.

The first hundred years

A journey through time

From a small craft business to the world-renowned company we are today, Franke’s rich history has led to us being one of the top three players in all of our core businesses. Read our anniversary book to discover extraordinary achievements by generations of entrepreneurs, as well as significant contributions from customers, employees and partners.

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1911 – 1939

The Hermann Franke era

1911

Hermann Franke establishes a plumbing company in Rorschach, Switzerland.

1912 – 1934

As early as the mid-1920s, he produces the first sinks made of galvanized copper sheet, and in the early 1930s from nickelin and monel.

The company is relocated to Aarburg in 1934 due to strategic expansion plans – the city being an important transport hub in Switzerland at that time.

Through pioneering work with stainless steel, Hermann Franke achieves his final breakthrough in the Swiss market with the first sinks made of this rustproof metal.

1935 – 1939

At the end of the 1930s, a new welding technique enables the production of seamless stainless steel sinks, and the production of a larger series begins.

Cover image brochure about seamless sinks 1930s

A Franke apprentice at work, with foreman.

Franke’s first stainless steel sink 1934

First stainless steel sink, 1934. Working on the press brake in the sink factory.

1939 – 1975

The Walter Franke era

1939

Hermann Franke dies unexpectedly. His son Walter takes over the business.

1940 – 1945

Franke continues its pioneering work standardizing private kitchens and enables the first combination sinks. They combine sinks with built-in stoves and hinged lids. Complete fitted kitchens (Franke standard kitchens) are produced only a few years later.

Person standing in a Franke kitchen in the 1940s

1946 – 1955

The expansion of the factory facilities in Aarburg allows the first exports to neighboring countries such as Germany. In addition, the first foreign subsidiary is founded (1950) in Ettlingen, Germany.

In Switzerland, Franke provides Mövenpick with the first industrial kitchen in 1948. A decisive catalyst in the establishment of a new department for the design of commercial kitchens.

From 1950, Franke revolutionizes the modern domestic kitchen with its grid system: the first complete kitchens are built according to the Franke standard – fitted kitchens with upper and lower cabinets.

Outside view of the Mövenpick restaurant 1948

1956 – 1974

Expansion of production paves the way for the new commercial kitchen division. After becoming a public limited company, 13 subsidiaries are established all over Europe.

The standardization of industrial kitchens continues to drive Franke's pioneering work. In 1972, the company installs the first McDonald's kitchen in Munich. Hermann Franke thus brings a vision to life – to become a pioneer in system catering.

Person exiting a McDonalds restaurant 1972

View of a steel kitchen with a bowl of fruits on the table

Kitchen in the 1950s.

The Clown Ronald McDonald surrounded by people

Franke manager John F. Strasser and Walter Wieland at the opening at the first McDonald’s kitchen in Munich in 1972.

1975 – 1989

The Willi Pieper era

1975

Health problems of Walter Franke lead to a change of ownership. Willi Pieper, a friend, takes over the company.

1976 – 1988

By the end of the 1970s, Franke expands beyond Europe for the first time. US-based commercial kitchen manufacturer Progressive Corporation from Philadelphia becomes part of the company.

Franke supplies the first system kitchen to McDonald's in the USA.

A global brand is established: core businesses are defined and promoted with the aim of becoming a global market leader. A specialized division structure is introduced.

With the purchase of the Swiss coffee machine specialist Augsburger AG in 1984, Franke lays the foundation for its leading position as a system provider in professional coffee preparation.

The Franke TA, the first Franke coffee machine was launched on the market in 1984.

1989 – 2013

The Michael Pieper era

1989

A new era begins as Michael Pieper takes over from his father.

Under his leadership, Franke consistently expands globally and operates on all five continents. Thus he follows the principle of "focus and dominate". His aim is to meet local needs with optimized and customizable services. To achieve this, Franke increasingly specializes around core activities.

1990 – 2001

Franke buys Carron Phoenix in Scotland and now also produces synthetic sinks.

Franke builds the first McDonald's restaurant in Moscow, at the time the largest in the world and also Russia's first restaurant.

The company also enters or expands in numerous markets – either through wholly owned sales and production companies or significant acquisitions, for example in China, Turkey, Portugal, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Poland, in the former Czechoslovakia, Finland, Germany, South Africa, the USA, India, Australia or Brazil.

2002 – 2013

Several restructurings aim to creating a forward-looking corporate structure. Franke vigorously expands its global leadership position through 20 additional acquisitions.

One major acquisition is the Faber Group, moving into the manufacture of extractor hoods.

In 2011, Franke celebrates its 100th anniversary, counting 70 companies in 40 countries worldwide with a total of 10,500 employees.

Michael Pieper retires from operational responsibilities after around 35 years as CEO to focus on the Artemis Group – a holding also including Franke.

Today

Franke introduces the One Franke strategy. New central organizational structures are created and complexity in the divisions is reduced to make the company more agile. In addition, Franke sells its Water Systems business for strategic in order to focus on its Home Solutions, Foodservice Systems and Coffee Systems divisions, which are already among the top 3 players worldwide in their respective industries.

Franke consolidates its synthetic sink production and opens a state-of-the-art factory in Slovakia in 2018. In the same year, Franke acquires the US company Chain Link Services and since then also equips convenience stores.

Franke Headquarters in Aarburg, Switzerland

Aerial view of the Franke building Slovakia

Franke Slovakia s.r.o. in Strečno, Slovakia

Sustainability

We have clear goals that support our ambition to create a sustainable world for our customers, employees and society – for both today and tomorrow. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our guiding principles for achieving this endeavor.