Eschweiler, June 2026 – What began in 2001 in around 180 square metres of space in the basement of the founders' parents has grown into a European online retailer with more than 250 employees: Wiltec GmbH is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The family-run company, based in Eschweiler, now supplies customers in 28 European countries and ships up to 30,000 parcels a day.
From a basement warehouse to professional online retail
Wiltec was founded by brothers Bernd and Frank Wildanger. The company started out selling blue LED lighting for vehicle dashboards, a product that was in high demand in car forums in the early 2000s. What began as an improvised business idea gradually developed into a professional online retail company.
"It is unbelievable - the time feels both short and long," says Bernd Wildanger, looking back on the company's development. In the early years, the brothers could not have imagined that Wiltec would one day reach this scale.
A product range and a site that grew together
Today, the product range includes workshop and craft supplies, pump technology, garden products, agricultural equipment and animal husbandry supplies, among many other categories. Wiltec's site in Eschweiler has grown along with the company. The small warehouse in the family home has become a modern operating site. Wiltec now has around 45,000 square metres of space in the industrial and business park.
"That is something to be proud of," says Frank Wildanger. At the same time, the founders emphasise that long-term success in online retail is only possible through constant adaptation. Since the company was founded, e-commerce has changed again and again in technical, legal and organisational terms. The 2008 financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic in particular presented the company with major challenges.
Success built on employees
Bernd Wildanger sees the workforce as one of the key foundations of this success: "All of our success is based on our employees." Many employees have been part of the company for years or even decades. To mark the anniversary, an internal video was produced in which employees share their experiences and describe Wiltec as a family-like, stable company with a strong sense of unity.
A family business looking to the future
The family-run structure still shapes the company today. Bernd and Frank Wildanger manage Wiltec together and see this as one of its strengths. One important topic for the coming years will be succession planning. "I definitely won't be doing this for another 25 years," says Bernd Wildanger. Frank Wildanger also describes handing the company over to the next generation as an important next step.
Looking ahead, the founders expect further changes in online retail. Artificial intelligence, automation, changing consumer behaviour and growing international competition will continue to shape the market. Nevertheless, Wiltec sees itself as well positioned for the future, not least because the company remains family-run.
About Wiltec
Wiltec GmbH is a family-run online retailer based in Eschweiler, Germany. The company was founded in 2001 and offers a wide range of products for workshops, trades, gardens, agriculture, animal husbandry and many other applications. Wiltec employs more than 250 people and supplies customers in 28 European countries.
Press contact:
WilTec Wildanger Technik GmbH
Wilhelm-Lexis-Strasse 8, 52249 Eschweiler, Germany
E-mail: presse@wiltec.de
www.wiltec.de