GESCHICHTE
2020
Forces are concentrated
In order to be able to optimise both our processes and production in future, the entire manufacturing is relocated to the plant in Ahaus.
In the course of this, maschines and technical equipments move to Ahaus too. In addition to that the machinery is expanded by a new hardening and heat treating machine.
2017
Commemorating the grand opening of the new hall by Ralf Putsch and Jonas Putsch.
On 1st April 2017 we inaugurated our new production hall under the motto “now we have more space”.
On this historic day for OrbisWill, 45 years after the opening of the new location in Ridderstraße in Ahaus, Ahaus' mayor Carola Voss and our owner Ralf Putsch were also on site. Together with the employees, managing director Michael Graf was pleased about the growth opportunities associated with the 3,000 sqm expansion.
2006
Manufacture of plastic parts.
In the 1980s, injection moulding technology at OrbisWill was initially terminated for decades with the introduction of 2-components technology.
After the take-over by Knipex-Werk, production is resumed in 2006 with the first 2-components injection moulding machine.
Today, several modern 2-components and 3-components machines are available for production.
1972
New Orbis-Werk Groten GmbH pliers factory inaugurated
From 1971 to 1972 the new Orbis-Werk Groten GmbH pliers factory was built at Ridderstraße 37.
The plant was opened in May 1972 with an office area of 600 square meters and a production area of 4,000 square meters.
The construction costs amounted to the then high sum of 4.8 million DM. Additional halls were added in 1986.
1970s
Many construction projects in the 70s and 80s are evidence of the economic boom of company Will. In 1972 a new production hall of nearly 2,000 sqm was put into operation as well as about 500 sqm office space. Another 1,800 sqm warehouse and production area were added in 1987. Due to extensive modernisation in all manufacturing sectors in the years 1990 and 1991 - combined with the largest investment since the foundation of the company - Harry P. Will Neustadt became one of the latest pliers factories in the world at that time.
1950s
Harry P. Will emigrated to Toronto /Canada at the beginning of the 1950s. Before the war he had already established close business contacts in the United States and Canada. He was soon well-known under the name "Plier-King". The management of his company in Neustadt was transferred to his partner Richard Gies.
1948
After the end of the war in 1945, Mr. Harry Will, the son of the tool manufacturer Bruno Will, and three employees succeeded in a night and fog action with some machines the escape to the west. From May 1947 the company found a new home in the disused horse stables of a former haulage company in Neustadt (Hesse).
The entry in the commercial register as Harry P. Will Werkzeugfabrik GmbH took place on 4 March 1948.
Finally, in 1955, a new building was started on Gleimenhainer Straße.
1944
The air attacks on Solingen in 1944 forced Orbis to move its production site several times.
After the war the region was originally occupied by Americans. Even before the invasion of the Russian occupation troops in the summer of 1945, Harry Paul Will, the son of the tool manufacturer Bruno Will, and three employees escaped to the West with some machines, blanks and semi-finished goods.