WESTFÄLISCHE DRAHTINDUSTRIE GMBH

Westfälische Drahtindustrie GmbH (WDI) is a wire manufacturer headquartered in Dortmund, Germany. Established in 1856 as Hobrecker, Witte und Herbers in Hamm, it was the first European wire producer to adopt steam engines. Renamed Aktiengesellschaft Westfälischer Draht- und Industrie-Verein in 1872, it grew into the world's largest producer of drawn wires. Over time it became part of Klöckner, Krupp and Hoesch. In 1993, Werner Pampus became majority shareholder, restoring independence. Today WDI is Europe's largest family-owned wire producer, processing up to 800,000 tons of rolled wire annually at 17 German production sites. It operates worldwide through eight business units.