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Company History
On July 14, 1905, master locksmith Josef Haas was granted the license to run a building and machine fitting business in Vienna. The business activities comprised the repair of machines and engines, the installation of gas engines and constructional ironwork. His sons Franz, Josef and Karl learned from him the locksmith trade and took over the small company after qualifying as master craftsmen in 1933.
They introduced new ideas and produced steel rounds and flats on self-built rolling mills. The Haas brothers were mainly engaged in tool making and the construction of jigs and fixtures. In 1943, the greater part of the production equipment was relocated to Kaplice in today’s Czech Republic, and Franz Haas was entrusted with the management at the new location.
There, he became interested in wafer machines when repairing wafer irons and developed new concepts for the production of wafers. In 1948, after returning to Vienna, he built the first self-designed wafer machine and – encouraged by continuous sales success – realized systematically his ideas for the manufacture of modern wafer production lines.
In 1966, he and his wife Maria Haas founded “Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen”. During the 60s, their children Margarete and Johann – today’s board members – and the late Josef started to work in the company of their parents. Due to the opening up of new export markets and the rapidly growing demand for wafer machines, the company continuously extended its manufacturing capabilities.
Finally, in 1975, all production facilities were shifted to a new large plant in Leobendorf in the province of Lower Austria. This was followed by the foundation of subsidiaries in several countries and the acquisition of companies with products usefully supplementing the wafer machine program. The result is today’s company group with business activities all over the world.
Guiding Principles
Our dedication to technical innovation marks the history of our company as much as our total customer commitment. A tradition for over 100 years for the continuous desire to improve products in accordance with market needs is the basis for today’s global activities. The Haas Company’s reputation and appreciation it receives worldwide as a leading partner of the baking industry is a proven result of its family heritage.
In this capacity, we are able to provide a maximum of flexibility and individuality by thoroughly using synergies in research and development, sales network and production as well as in logistics and delivery.
It is the customers who are always in the center of Haas’ thinking and activities. Moreover, a further important requirement for the long-term success of our company are our employees and their commitment to satisfy our customers.