Bravery enjoys a long tradition at CWS. The roots of the company stretch right back to the 19th century. Right from the very beginning, our development has been spurred on by people
brimming with entrepreneurial spirit. What began with Bernhard Burmeister’s textile rental company soon evolved into a driver of innovation and a trailblazer for an entire industry. Today, in addition to the innovations like the CWS cotton towel dispensers now found in washrooms all over the world, the concept of renting workwear has also established itself. These developments are part of a long line of industry-revolutionising concepts for better hygiene in daily life and improved safety at work. The joint venture with Initial in 2017 was a fundamental step on our journey to becoming the market leader in Europe.
Today, sustainable thinking and action drive us in all areas. We at CWS are also making the most of all the opportunities that present themselves here. Using state-of-the-art technologies such as chemical-free wastewater plants, we reduce our CO2 emissions. Diversity and inclusion are also key elements of our strategy: in 2020, we founded the Diversity & Inclusion Council, a committee that actively and consistently promotes equality and diversity in the company.
We utilise our strategic participations to improve our customer service further and develop new markets. Here we employ our unique combination of experience and inventivene talent to develop bold new, customer-centric solutions and establish them in the market.
Milestones
Since its founding in 1899, CWS was quite active. Come with us on a little journey through time!
2021
CWS Cleanrooms acquires Dutch cleanroom cleaning specialist WERO.
2021
Development of the "Think Circular" principle for sustainable action in the context of the circular economy.
2021
CWS Cleanrooms opens new cleanroom laundry in Lauterbach, Germany.
2021
CWS Fire Safety takes over IGS Industrielle Gefahrenmeldesysteme GmbH and enters the safety technology sector.
2021
CWS Fire Safety merges with Hefas Branddetectie B.V. and opens the first location in the Netherlands.
2020
Signing of the Diversity Charter to officially commit towards consistently driving diversity and inclusion forward throughout the company.
2020
CWS wins the German Brand Award 2020. With the award "Excellence in Brand Strategy and Creation", the jury recognises the company's strategy for repositioning the CWS brand.
2020
CWS Fire Safety acquires MARANG, a specialised service provider for fire extinguishing systems and fire protection systems.
2019
CWS acquires profi-con, a service provider specialising in cleanroom cleaning.
2019
Acquisition of hygiene solutions specialist Vendor.
2019
Introduction of the new brand CWS
All activities are placed under the international brand CWS.
2019
Strategic Partnership with Smixin
2018
CWS becomes strategic investor in the digital laundry "Jonny Fresh"
2018
Eröffnung Waschraum der Zukunft
2017
CWS and Initial launch their joint venture
2016
CWS takes over the management of customer toilets for companies with Loovio by CWS
2016
Second place at the German CSR Prize
CWS-boco Supply Chain Management win the 2. place at the german CSR prize in the category "CSR in supply chain".
2016
First fairtrade collection
boco launches the first workware profi line collection with fairtrade cotton.
2015
Launch of the Paradise Air Bar
The CWS Paradise Air Bar got introduced. It provides scent concepts for a comfort room air atmosphere.
2013
Award CWS ParadiseLine Stainless Steel
The stainless steel dispenser line CWS ParadiseLine Stainless Steel won the award "Design Plus powered by ISH 2013".
2012
New laundry in Neuss
CWS-boco starts operating the new laundry in Neuss
seit 2011
Auszeichnung des CWS Stoffhandtuchspenders mit dem Blauer Engel Zertifikat
Alle CWS Stoffhandtuchsysteme in Deutschland, BeNeLux, Schweiz, Italien und Irland werden mit dem renommierten Umweltzeichen „Blauer Engel“ ausgezeichnet.
2009
Videos to the washroom
CWS-boco markets the first cotton towel dispenser with flat panel screen, bringing videos to the washroom.
2008
CWS-boco
The company HTS is renamed into CWS-boco.
2001
HTS International
The Haniel Group integrates both brands, boco and CWS, under the roof of "Haniel Textil Service GmbH "HTS" in Duisburg.
1999
Einführung der Corporate Fashion Kollektion
boco launches Corporate Fashion, the first individually washable business clothing range.
1998
CWS und boco treten gemeinsam als HTS auf den Markt
1998
Haniel übernimmt boco
Die Haniel Gruppe übernimmt boco aus dem Familienbesitz.
1998
High-Tech-Wäscherei in Bielefeld
boco baut Europas größte High-Tech-Wäscherei in Bielefeld.
1993
CWS Cleanseat
CWS bringt den weltweit ersten selbstreinigenden Toilettensitz auf den Markt: CWS Cleanseat.
1981
Haniel takes over CWS
from the family estate
1976
Micro-processor
CWS innovation: easy-to-operate fabric towel dispenser with micro-processor.
1975
First boco workwear
boco develops the first workwear for the craft trade.
1970
CWS dirt trapping mats
CWS launches into rental service with dirt trapping mats.
1968
Soap dispensers for industry
CWS sets hygiene standards with soap dispensers for industry.
1967
First CWS laundries in Germany
CWS opens the first of its own laundries in Germany.
1960
Launch rental service
boco launches rental service for workwear.
1958
First CWS cotton towel dispenser
Founding of CWS Germany. European market launch of the first CWS cotton towel dispenser.
1954
Gründung CWS Switzerland
Conrad Wolfgang Schnyder founds CWS Switzerland.
1906
Merger boco
Burmeister, Oszmer and Co. merge into boco.
1899
Foundation
Bernhard Burmeister starts with a laundry rental service in Hamburg.