Healthier Safer

History

Striding bravely towards the future

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

2021

2021

2021

2021

2020

2020

2020

2019

2019

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.