PWO Group
PWO Group
PWO Group

A strategy for the future.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR US

A clear vision as a roadmap for success.

Transformative change, long-term perspectives and concrete objectives are key features of our entrepreneurial thinking and actions. Our CEO Carlo Lazzarini about the path PWO is taking to expand the group’s leading position globally.
WHAT OUR KEY FACTS LOOK LIKE

10

sites on 3 continents

100+

years of experience

3,200+

employees

555

million in revenue

WHAT OUR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES LOOK LIKE

Executive Board

The Executive Board is responsible for our group’s operating business and strategic development. A schedule of responsibilities sets out the duties of the individual members of the Executive Board, while rules of procedure define the principles of cooperation.

Supervisory Board

Our Supervisory Board consists of 6 members, 4 of which are shareholder representatives and 2 employee representatives.

1) The English translation of this document is provided for ease of understanding only. In the event of a difference in interpretation between the German and English texts, the German version shall prevail.

HOW WE UNDERSTAND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Leading responsibly – growing sustainably.

Find out more
WHERE YOU’LL FIND US

We’re there for you, worldwide.

World map
1
1
Canada

Engineering and Production
Kitchener, Ontario

2
2
Mexico

Engineering and Production
Puebla, San Cristobal

3
3
Mexico

Production
Puebla, Santa Elena

4
4
Germany

Headquarters PWO Group
Oberkirch

5
5
Germany

Production Facility
Oberkirch

6
6
Serbia

Engineering and Production
Čačak

7
7
Czech Republic

Production
Hrachovec

8
8
China

Engineering and Production
Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

9
9
China

Production
Shenyang, Liaoning Province

10
10
Serbia

Engineering and Production
Kragujevac

11
11
Czech Republic

Engineering and Production
Palackého

1
Canada

Engineering and Production
Kitchener, Ontario

Canada
2
Mexico

Engineering and Production
Puebla, San Cristobal

Mexico
3
Mexico

Production
Puebla, Santa Elena

Mexico
4
Germany

Headquarters PWO Group
Oberkirch

Germany
5
Germany

Production Facility
Oberkirch

Germany
6
Serbia

Engineering and Production
Čačak

Serbia
7
Czech Republic

Production
Hrachovec

Czech Republic
8
China

Engineering and Production
Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

China
9
China

Production
Shenyang, Liaoning Province

China
10
Serbia

Engineering and Production
Kragujevac

Serbia
11
Czech Republic

Engineering and Production
Palackého

Czech Republic
  • Headquarters PWO Group
  • PWO sites
  • The PWO Group's most important regional markets
  • Countries with previous and current project-specific collaborations
Asia
Northamerica
Europe
WHERE WE COME FROM

More than a century of pioneering spirit.

  • 1919
    1919
    Establishment of PWO
    On September 6, 1919, Progreß-Werk Oberkirch is established in Stadelhofen and begins production of metal products.
  • 1920
    1920
    Production of air pumps
    During the Roaring Twenties, PWO meets the growing demand for air pumps for bicycles and motor vehicles all over the world at an early stage – making it a global market leader.
  • 1948
    1948
    Production of field kitchens
    The manufacture of field kitchens for the French army adds an additional important line of business, which produces bestseller qualities for more than 40 years.
  • 1953
    1953
    Production of motor scooters
    The Strolch motor scooter, whose large wheels make it very stable to drive, is a real sales success.
  • 1978
    1978
    Initial public offering
    On June 28, PWO goes public on the Stuttgart stock exchange – and on the very first day, its share trades at around double its then par value.
  • 1990s
    1990s
    PWO goes automotive
    After Germany’s reunification, PWO set its focus completely on the automotive sector and has since developed into a global player.
  • 1997
    1997
    Global expansion
    PWO acquires shares in Brattan Tool Industries Ltd., Canada, and enters the North American market.
  • 2005
    2005
    Market entry in the Czech Republic
    PWO takes its first step into Eastern Europe by acquiring UNITOOLS CZ a.s., a Czech tool manufacturer with a long tradition in metal forming that fit perfectly into the PWO Group.
  • 2008
    2008
    Acquisition in Mexico
    Upon completing the acquisition of Cartec S.A. de C.V., Mexico, the company becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of the PWO Group, which is thus excellently positioned in Puebla, a center of the Mexican automotive industry.
  • 2009
    2009
    Start of production in China
    From 2006, PWO gains its first experience in China as part of a joint venture. After intensive discussions with customers, at the end of 2007 the decision is made to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary. Production starts at the beginning of 2009.
  • 2015
    2015
    New location in Shenyang
    A new location opens 1,500 kilometers northwest of Suzhou. This allows PWO to serve customers based there even better and tap into further market potential.
  • 2016
    2016
    Eastern Europe became an important sales market
    The Czech Republic location has developed into a key pillar of PWO Group. Two new halls have already been well filled.
  • 2017
    2017
    Expansion in Mexico
    PWO has enjoyed considerable success in Mexico. The existing site has reached its capacity. Establishing a further site opens up new growth prospects.
  • 2019
    2019
    Company Anniversary
    From a small metal processor to a global supplier to the mobility industry: PWO is celebrating a 100-year success story and is focusing increasingly on the sustainable mobility of the future.
  • 2021
    2021
    PWO is gearing up with growth
    Despite the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus crisis, the group achieves strong growth in new business and the sales pipeline remains well filled. The following year sees PWO acquire the highest volume of new business in its history, worth around EUR 890 million.
  • 2022
    2022
    Expansion in the Czech Republic
    The importance of Eastern Europe is growing, and customer demand remains high. Additional production capacity is being opened up at PWO's second location.
  • 2023
    2023
    Expansion in Serbia
    The acquisition of a new toolmaking facility and the purchase of a 100,000-square-metre site in Serbia lays the foundations for a strong technology hub comprising all PWO locations in Eastern Europe.
  • 2025
    2025
    PWO expands in the Czech Republic
    A new hall is opened directly adjacent to an existing building. This allows for additional orders to be manufactured in an optimal factory layout.
  • 2025
    2025
    Opening of the new site in Čačak
    The grand opening of the new engineering and production site in Serbia is planned for the second quarter of the year. Production is scheduled to start at the end of the year. The Shared Services Centre for the entire Group is already fully operational.
What our suppliers should know

Well-informed: as a member of our supplier network.

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