Gourmet Business October 2014

The housewares and gourmet food industries are steeped in tradition and history, with so many family- owned businesses that reach back generations. These stories – in addition to being excellent marketing and promotions fodder – lend companies and their brands heritage, authenticity and a legacy of quality. But few companies can date their founding – especially in the United States – to 1814. Wüsthof-Trident, however, can claim such an accomplishment, proudly celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

To this day, Wüsthof-Trident of Solingen, Germany, remains a family-owned-and- managed business, and still designs and manufactures its own precision-forged knives. Company executives have a full docket of events and fun and informative knife-skills workshops scheduled across the country and around the world this year as they celebrate this landmark anniversary.

Meanwhile, the staff of Gourmet Business is marking Wüsthof’s accomplishment by telling its magnificent story, which you can find on page 9, written by James Mellgren. The company began as a small “kotten,” or small grinding workshop, to produce shears and other steel and iron goods, and was passed from father to son for generations, and at the turn of the 20th century, the company’s workshop was transformed into a factory, riding the wave of the industrial revolution. The company went on to survive two world wars, but those years certainly took their toll, as they did on most businesses.

The Wüsthof story is one of trial and tribulation as well as tremendous success. It is a history that lends the fabric of a company strength as it embarks on the 201st year in business. We salute the entire Wüsthof family – past and present – who have built and continue to evolve this extraordinary family business, and we await with eagerness what new innovations in design and functionality future generations will bring to the cutlery category.

Maureen Azzato
Managing Editor, Gourmet Business

 mazzato@gourmetbusiness.com