The Präzision-Werkzeugmaschinen-Fabrik Josef Schwahlen was founded in 1922 by Josef Schwahlen. Here, special hydraulic tools were built, especially for boiler construction at shipyards, boiler machines and for the German Reichsbahn until the destruction of the factory in the 2nd World War. After the new start in 1949, the program was resumed under the entry of Josef Schwahlen, but had a hard time due to support restrictions of the Allies, especially in shipbuilding, so that the production had to be switched from hydraulic tools to mechanical and hydraulic hoists.
In 1956 the brand name HYWEMA® (Hydraulische Werkzeug -Maschinen) was protected by Manfred Schwahlen. With the death of Josef Schwahlen in 1957, Manfred Schwahlen took over his father's company and continued it under the name HYWEMA® Josef Schwahlen, now on the Wuppertaler Straße on a factory site of approx. 28,000 sqm and operating facilities of approx. 18,000 sqm. After the death of Manfred Schwahlen in 1968, the company was registered in 1969 as HYWEMA® Josef Schwahlen GmbH&Co.
In 1976 a new factory building, especially for large and heavy lifting platforms, was completed. This measure made it possible to further improve series and individual production for mobile lifting platforms of the wheel lift type, as well as large and heavy lifting platforms for industrial and rail vehicles.
At the beginning of 1991, the company moved into another large assembly hall with 1,000 sqm, especially for the special production of tool change carts up to 120 t, hydraulic heavy-duty lifting platforms up to 100 t, assembly platforms, welding and lifting-turning devices.
In 2004 the legal form was changed to HYWEMA® Josef Schwahlen GmbH&Co.KG. The continuous investment in new machines and business equipment guarantees the high quality of our products as well as the supply of spare parts, even far beyond the usual 10 years. A constant further qualification of our employees and the training of our own apprentices enables us, with a permanent staff of approx. 80 employees, to meet the growing demands of our customers.
Quality assurance
HYWEMA® is a TÜV certified welding company according to DIN EN ISO 3834-3 and EN 1090-2 EXCL2
DIN EN ISO 3834-3 certificate
EN 1090-2 EXCL2 certificate
Our philosophy of producing high-grade, state-of-the-art and, in particular, extended lifetime machinery for our clients at home and abroad, is documented in our DGUV Test Quality Assurance Certificate.
HYWEMA® -Hebebühnen was one of the first lifting platform manufacturers in Germany to be certified by two independent QM systems: verification level of DIN EN ISO 9001 and Module H (comprehensive quality assurance) in accordance with Resolution 93/465/EWG of the European Commission. For many decades the name and registered trademark HYWEMA® has stood for Quality, Reliability, Safety and long service lifetimes. The continuation of the QM-System occurred in 2004; and it was translated into DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. In 2008 the former DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 certificate was accomplished to the DIN EN ISO 9001:2008 and 2018 to the DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. The DGUV was chosen as partner for the certification.
DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certificate
With validity of the new machinery directive 2006/42/EG at the turn of the year 2009/2010, HYWEMA® obtained the certification for the extensive quality assurance after annex X of the machinery directives, as first BG-Prüfcert verified company by the inspecting- and certification office of the technical committee.
MRL10 certificate