Altena in the Sauerland region is regarded as the cradle of the German wire industry. Over generations, a diverse wire community has grown out of this tradition and continues to shape the sector today. Right at its heart is Fritz Finkernagel Drahtwerk GmbH & Co. KG, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and presented itself at wire 2026 in Düsseldorf.
Anniversary as a Message at the Trade Fair Booth
Just two weeks before the trade fair began, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. The "100" held up by the team at the Düsseldorf booth represents a century of experience, reliability and continuous development. At wire 2026, Finkernagel focused on personal exchange – both with long-standing partners and with new contacts. The content focus was on current market issues: rising requirements, changes in demand and the question of how joint solutions can be further developed.
Sustainability as a Key Focus
Another central topic was sustainability. Finkernagel relies on its own electricity from photovoltaics, on reducing CO₂ emissions along all processes and on efficient production methods such as wire surface inspection for defect marking.
Looking Back on 100 Years of Company History
The company was founded on 1 April 1926. The decision to deliberately celebrate the anniversary internally with employees was made early on. The celebration took place at midday on 1 April 2026 in the finished goods warehouse of the wire plant – including a birthday cake with a "100" that was brought in by a forklift.
In his speech, Managing Director Fritz Uwe Finkernagel recalled several milestones from the company's history. From the founding period under his grandfather, he reported a visit by the head of another wire drawing company, who had urged the founder to sell: "Fritz, what you are doing here makes no sense at all. Sell the place to me and start working for me as a salesman!" The offer was declined.
Another memory took him back to 1961, when the company employed 15 people. His father had told him that an employee in the pickling department wrapped himself in jute before his 10-hour shift to protect his body from the acid.
Fritz Uwe Finkernagel highlighted 1997 as a significant investment year, when the fully automatic pickling and coating line was put into operation. This line will be 30 years old next year. Likewise, the GZ 30 rough drawing machine from 1990 is still comparable in design to current equipment from 2025.
Generational Change and Outlook
With Timo Finkernagel, the next generation is ready in the management to lead the company into its next century. In his speech, Timo Finkernagel pointed out that on the day of the 100th anniversary, a new employee, Dominik Marks, also began his work in the pickling department.
On the current market situation he stated: "We are currently in challenging times, in a demanding industry." At the same time, he expressed confidence that the product would continue to be needed and that Finkernagel would be able to hold its own in international competition.
The company deliberately decided against a classic large-scale 100-year celebration with prominent guests and protocol. "Instead we said to ourselves: if we celebrate 100 years, then with the people who contribute every day to making sure this company even exists – namely with you," said Timo Finkernagel. A joint celebration with employees and their families is planned for the summer, supplemented by plant tours and a programme for children.
About Finkernagel
Fritz Finkernagel Drahtwerk GmbH & Co. KG, based in Altena in North Rhine-Westphalia, supplies suppliers in the automotive, construction, electrical and mechanical engineering industries with cold heading wire and forming tools. The company relies on modern equipment, surface inspection using eddy current technology and consistent single-coil tracking. Finkernagel employs 90 people. On a production area of 25,000 m², around 3,000 tonnes of wire and 850 tools are processed each month.
