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More than just coat hangers
In 2021, MAWA was named one of the Brands of the Century, proving that even everyday objects can become a brand full of identity. Managing Director Michaela Schenk's vision thus became reality. But where do our everyday heroes come from, and how long have they been around? On our 75th anniversary, it's high time to look back.
Perhaps you've ever wondered what MAWA actually stands for? MAWA is a combination of the founder's first and last names – Martin Wagner. He founded the coat hanger manufacturer MAWA in 1948 in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Bavaria, exactly where our metal coat hangers are still manufactured today.
Just seven years after its founding, in 1955, the first trouser adjuster was created here, which Martin Wagner patented. This was a complete innovation on the market and met with great enthusiasm, not only among our end customers in the 1950s.
In 1960, the first MAWA hangers were equipped with our proven anti-slip effect. MAWA hangers still feature this anti-slip coating today, although the coating formula has changed since then.
In the 1960s, Martin Wagner employed 200 people who produced 120,000 metal hangers by hand every day. However, demand continued to grow, especially abroad, so production was fully automated in 1985. Twenty years later, however, the hanger manufacturer went bankrupt, and entrepreneur Michaela Schenk took over the company two years later.
Our tried-and-tested metal hangers are still produced in Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria—so we continue to focus on quality made in Germany. Nevertheless, a lot has changed since then. Our favorites may be native to Bavaria—but they are popular all over the world—in 86 countries, to be exact.
We also place great importance on sustainability and environmental compatibility. For this reason, MAWA committed to AGENDA 2030 in 2015, with the goal of CO2-neutral production by 2030. But that's not all. MAWA has also launched the ECO friendly and SKIN friendly seals.
These guarantee that harmful substances are taboo for us, including toxic plasticizers, heavy metals, and toxic dyes. Furthermore, our wooden hangers are made of certified, high-quality beechwood and receive a water-based varnish – for the health of our customers and our environment.
We see sustainability as a holistic issue – this means that when selecting and sourcing our raw materials, we consider their recyclability and environmental compatibility.
Since MAWA was founded in 1948, the brand hasn't lost its innovative spirit—quite the opposite. Our new favorites, our ECO hangers, are based on biogenic materials, meaning materials of organic origin: for example, old clothes or plant residues, which we breathe new life into. These are used to create new, high-quality, long-lasting items that are just as good as our other hangers in terms of quality and design. For your health and the preservation of the environment. Want to know more about our collection? Here you'll find more information about MAWA & sustainability, as well as our new everyday helpers.
However, on our 75th anniversary, we don't just want to look back on MAWA's history, but also give a voice to the people who made MAWA what it is today: our employees. That's why, over the next few months, you'll find new stories from everyday life at MAWA here—not just stories of extraordinary hangers, but also stories of extraordinary people.
We would also like to thank our customers for their enthusiasm and loyalty – with numerous discount offers and a brand new anniversary combo – it's going to be exciting!
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