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1911
Hermann Franke founded a sheet metal business in his name in Rorschach, Switzerland, in 1911.
1914 - 1924
During the First World War it was difficult for Franke to obtain material for production. Economic crisis and the post-war period hindered expansion of the business.
1925 - 1930
Economic upturn in the industry and construction sector led to the incorporation of a sanitary installations department. Production of oven tops, skylights and dormer windows began.
1931 - 1934
General economic crisis, Franke started production of the first sink units in nickeline, monel-metal and later in stainless steel. Since then, over 50 million sinks have been produced and delivered worldwide.
1935 - 1936
Franke built a new factory with offices and residential building, and the company's ten employees relocated to Aarburg, Switzerland.
1937 - 1938
Franke initiated the first production series and the first fully welded, smooth sink unit.
1939 - 1945
Hermann Franke died on January 25, 1939, and his son Walter took over the business. The Second World War led to great difficulties in obtaining materials. Franke began construction of equipment. By 1945, the company grew to 100 employees.
1946 - 1949
The company's factory facilities expanded and the production of complete kitchens began. Franke started to export products to European countries and by 1949 had 250 employees.
1950 - 1955
The construction sector developed encouragingly. Business expanded rapidly. Franke became a leader in state-of-the-art kitchen sinks. In 1950 the Washroom and Sanitary Equipment product group was firmly established as part of Franke with a full range of products for communal washrooms and WC's. Production of components for propulsion systems began. Franke saw its first foreign investment in Germany and by 1955 had 500 employees.
1956 - 1961
Franke production doubled. Factory facilities were expanded. A "Commercial Kitchens" division was founded. By 1961 Franke had 750 employees.
1962 - 1974
Over the next twelve years Franke experienced rapid growth: 13 new subsidiaries were established and two companies began manufacturing under license. In 1972, Franke built and installed the first kitchen for McDonald's in Munich. By 1974 the company had 2,600 employees.
1975 - 1989
Franke ownership changes: Walter Franke's friend and business partner Willi Pieper took over. Four subsidiaries and two licensees were added to the group. In 1973, production of colored enameled sinks began, and in 1979 the now world-famous Franke compact sink system was introduced.
1988
The divisional organization was established.
1989 - today
Michael Pieper joined Group Management. Rapid and consistent expansion transformed Franke into a corporate group with worldwide operations. Through focusing on core competencies, Franke has today become the world leader in kitchen sinks, contract food service equipment and beverage containers.
