Company history

BIAX Flexwellen Produktionsstätte Hilsbach aus der Vogelperspektive

The success that BIAX flexible shafts enjoy today is the culmination of an eventful history that has experienced numerous shining moments. For more than 100 years, the company now known as Schmid & Wezel GmbH has been proving just how innovative a traditional company can be.

Discover a unique history that began with the founding of a machine works in 1919.

  • 1919

    Company was founded by Dipl.-Ing Richard Schmid and Dipl.-Ing Walter Wezel in Stuttgart

  • 1921

    The brand BIAX is synonymeous for flexible shafts

  • 1923

    Production moves to Maulbronn near Stuttgart into a new building

  • 1924

    Subsidary founded in USA

  • 1934

    Introducing the EFA meat processing range

  • 1945

    Hans-Georg Wezel takes over production responsability and exceeds product range from flexible shafts to pneumatic industrial tools and meat processing machines

  • 1954

    The subsidary BIAX-Werkzeuge GmbH & Co. was foundes

  • 1958

    Production of flexible shafts moves to Hilsbach into new building

  • 1968

    The subsidary BIAX GmbH in Steckborn (CH) was founded

  • 1989

    Mr. Dipl.-Kfm. Ulrich Merkle gets in charge of company

  • 1993

    The subsidary EFA Processing Equipment Company in Omaha (USA) was founded

  • 1997

    Quality Management Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001

  • 1998

    The subsidary BIAX-Italia S.r.I. in Roverto (I) was fonded

  • 1998

    Schmid & Wezel takes over the SIG-Airtool Division in Neuhausen (CH)

  • 2004

    Quality Management Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000

  • 2010

    Recertification according to ISO 9001:2008 and certification according to ISO 13485:2003

  • 2016

    Restructuring of Schmid & Wezel GmbH

  • 2018

    Recertification according to ISO 9001:2015

  • 2019

    Death of Dipl.-Kfm. Ulrich Merkle, new managing director Mr. Torsten Wiesenmaier

  • 2021

    New owner Mr. Hans Merkle (half brother of Ulrich Merkle)

  • 2022

    Merging of the ERP systems of the Maulbronn and Hilsbach plants