125 Years of Viega

In the winter of 1899, Franz Anselm Viegener starts producing beer taps in the heart of the Sauerland region - the cornerstone of Viega's success story. He initially begins in his own farm shed with small orders for the neighbouring breweries and pubs. Two years later, he acquires a liquidated fittings factory, expands his workshop and shifts the focus of production to installation material for water pipes. His success proved him right: by 1904, Viega already has ten employees who remain loyal to the company for a long time, two of them for more than 50 years.

In 1922, Franz Anselm Viegener hands over the company to his sons Heinrich and Paul. The Attendorn family business also grows in the golden twenties. The profits are invested in new machines and the expansion of the grinding, polishing and galvanising shops.

The third generation joins the family business in the 1930s. Franz-Josef Viegener begins his apprenticeship in the family business in 1933. Walter Viegener, a trained foundry specialist, follows in 1939. Heinz Viegener joins the management in 1945.

In 1963, the first branch plant is established in Lennestadt-Elspe. Copper solder fittings are produced there and, a short time later, plastic products for drainage technology. Elmar Viegener joins the company in the same year and takes over the management of the plant. Today, with 400 employees, the site is the centre of excellence for drainage technology as well as pre-wall and flushing systems and home to the research and development centre for these products.

Heinz-Bernd Viegener, the son of Heinz Viegener, joins the family business in 1979. His focus: the areas of sales, marketing, and finance. He is also a key driver of the internationalisation: the first subsidiary is established in Paris in 1982.

In 1980, Viega opens the first information centre in Attendorn with an extensive range of training courses. Knowledge transfer and service orientation become the company's trademark. Today, Viega trains building technology specialists in 23 seminar centres worldwide.

In 1988, Walter Viegener joins the company and completes the fourth generation of the Viegeners. His main areas of responsibility: production (now supply chain), locations and human resources. In the same year, a branch plant with one of the most modern foundries in Europe is built in Attendorn-Ennest.

1988 is a groundbreaking year for Viega: the family business introduces the first Sanpress press system with stainless steel pipes and gunmetal press connectors. The success is quickly apparent: just two years later, Viega already employs 1,122 people, including 85 trainees. This makes the family company one of the most important employers in the region.

In 1991, Viega opens a new site in Großheringen and gradually turns it into one of the most modern plants in northern Thuringia. It now has a total area of over 100,000 square metres and employs more than 900 people. The company produces piping systems made of copper, gunmetal, stainless steel, and steel.

The breakthrough of Viega’s press technology comes in the mid-nineties with Profipress. The copper and gunmetal connectors are particularly successful in the sanitary and HVAC sector. Just like the SC-Contur and its "unpressed/sealed function", which Viega launches six years later.

In 2014, Anna Viegener joins the company as the first member of the fifth generation. She initially develops the Southeast Asian market and then focuses on the holistic orientation of the company as Chief Strategy Officer. Until 2021, she is Chairwoman of the Management Board together with Walter Viegener and Claus Holst-Gydesen, who has been a member of the company since 2015.

In 2021, the family-owned company repositions itself strategically and appoints Claus Holst-Gydesen as sole Chairman of the Management Board. Since then, Anna Viegener and Walter Viegener have been responsible for the direction of the Viega Group as Chairwoman and Chairman of the Shareholders' Committee.

In 2023, the company opens Viega World, a globally unique seminar centre. The building generates more energy than it needs and enables a completely new form of knowledge transfer. The building itself and its operation serve as learning content. A lighthouse for sustainability in fascinating training methods.

In the same year, Franz Viegener joins the company as the second member of the fifth generation.