For almost a century, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ stands for precision, durability, and timeless design — values that made Solingen world-famous as the “City of Blades.” Founded in 1927 by economist Dr. Hans Wielpütz and engineer Erich Picard, the company has specialized in the development and production of high-quality cutlery ever since.
Today, under the leadership of Peter Schultes, the founding family continues to unite craftsmanship, precision engineering, and innovation at the company’s headquarters in Solingen.
Certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ guarantees the highest quality standards across all areas — from development and production to procurement, logistics, and sales. Its in-house manufacturing ensures flexibility, reliability, and full control over every process step, from raw material to finished product.
Interview with Christoph Schultes, Head of Operations at PICARD & WIELPÜTZ.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Christoph Schultes: The company’s core business is the design and production of premium cutlery for the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, catering). More than 50 product lines are marketed under the historic “Briefanker” brand, complemented by tailor-made solutions for private-label and OEM clients worldwide.
In addition to its own production in Solingen, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ works with a trusted network of international manufacturing partners. This enables the company to respond flexibly to market demands while maintaining the high quality standards associated with Solingen craftsmanship.
What’s the news about new products or services?
C.S: A major milestone in 2025 was the installation of a fully automated CNC transfer polishing system from the Berger Group — representing a seven-figure investment in the modernization of the Solingen site.
The system consists of seven CNC-controlled double-spindle polishing machines operating in sequence. Each unit polishes both sides of spoons and forks in precisely defined stages. Workpieces are automatically fed via a stack magazine with a 22-fold vacuum gripper and transferred to rotary tables that load and unload the machines through pneumatically controlled clamping jaws.
Compared with the previous setup, the new installation delivers higher uptime, reduced maintenance requirements, and significantly improved energy efficiency. This investment marks a decisive modernization step that successfully combines Solingen tradition with state-of-the-art automation and process control.
What are the ranges of products and services?
C.S: PICARD & WIELPÜTZ offers a broad portfolio of classic and contemporary cutlery lines, crafted from 18/10 or 18/0 stainless steel and optionally refined with silver, gold, or PVD plating. Each collection includes a complete parts program with up to 35 items and a long-term availability guarantee — an essential factor for professionals in gastronomy and hospitality.
Beyond its own “Briefanker” brand, the company develops and manufactures exclusive cutlery collections for renowned international brands — from the initial design concept to the finished product.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
C.S: The current market situation remains challenging. The restaurant industry faces rising costs that cannot always be passed on to customers, which naturally affects investments such as cutlery. Nevertheless, gastronomy continues to play an important social role as a place of encounter, ensuring ongoing demand.
At the same time, customers place increasing value on regional production, reliability, and long-term availability. For wholesalers and gastronomy distributors, these aspects have become decisive purchasing factors.
Thanks to its integrated production in Solingen and long-standing supplier relationships, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ can flexibly serve a wide range of market segments — wherever high-quality cutlery is used.
What can you tell us about market trends?
Sustainability, transparency, and traceable supply chains are the key drivers of the European tableware industry. Demand for locally produced and durable products continues to grow, as many restaurants and hotels now extend their sustainability mindset beyond food to the tableware they use every day.
In parallel, automation and digital process monitoring are redefining production standards. Precision CNC systems ensure consistent surface quality, lower energy consumption, and reduced manual strain — advancing both ecological and economic efficiency.
What are the most innovative products or services marketed?
C.S: The newly implemented CNC polishing line is among the most advanced in Germany’s cutlery industry. Through multi-axis CNC control, automated part handling, and synchronized sequencing, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ achieves exceptional polish uniformity and repeatability. Automation now handles repetitive operations, freeing technical staff to focus on process optimization and tool engineering.
Product innovation also remains a strong focus. The recently launched “LOTUS” cutlery series — forged from 18/10 stainless steel with a 7.5 mm material thickness — combines elegant minimalism, excellent haptics, and outstanding durability. Its timeless design was created for modern dining concepts and high-end gastronomy.
The “Mia” series continues to be a bestseller: its hammered finish is elegant, contemporary, and practical — concealing fingerprints and signs of wear even under frequent use while adding a distinctive shine to any table setting.
Together, these developments demonstrate how PICARD & WIELPÜTZ unites engineering precision, design competence, tradition, and sustainable production under one brand.
What estimations do you have for the end of 2025?
C.S: By the end of 2025, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ expects further efficiency gains from its automated production lines. The recent appointment of engineer Christoph Schultes, member of the founding family, as Head of Operations, strengthens the company’s focus on technical excellence. Together with his brother Paul Schultes, Head of Sales, the fourth generation of the owner family is actively shaping the future of the company while preserving its heritage.
Rooted in tradition yet driven by innovation, PICARD & WIELPÜTZ remains guided by its enduring principle: “Preserving what’s proven, shaping what’s new.”
