"Always Change"

history about our company
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The company Winckler & Co., which was established in Japan in 1885, is one of the very few old German trading houses that are still in existence in Japan today. Winckler's 110-year-old history is one of numerous ups and downs, which are closely linked to the destinies of Japan and Germany.
On March 31, 1854, Admiral Perry opened Japan to the outside world and to general trade with the Treaty of Kanagawa; the treaty was signed in Yokohama, which at that time was a small and little known fishing village. The harbor was eventually opened to foreign traders on July 1, 1859.
Jakob Winckler, the son of a teacher in Stade, Germany, came to Yokohama later, in 1870, at the age of 19. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out, J. Winckler had just arrived in Bangkok, where he failed to report as a reservist to the German mission there, as would have been his duty, but travelled on to Japan "as a deserter". Had J. Winckler not continued on his journey at that time, there would surely have been no Winckler company in Japan and this book would not have been written.

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Our History


Mr.J.Winckler (1851 - 1911) and Mr.F.Dankwerts (1857-1929) are the founders of our company.

Short history:

1870: Jacob Winckler comes to Japan and joins the german trading house H.AHRENS in Yokohama.

1883: J.Winckler starts his own business mainly exporting japanese sundries articles.

1885: Mr.Winckler is joined by Mr.F.Dankwerts and other merchants and WINCKLER & CO. is officially founded as a partnership.

1912: After the death of Mr.Winckler the company is reorganized according to japanese law as a limited partnership.

1914: The First World War starts and the company is forced to halt its business.

1920: The company restarts its business.

1923: The Great Kanto Earthquake destroys office and warehouse in Yokohama.

1930: WINCKLER & CO. is increasing its business rapidly all over the world.

Yokohama office in the 30's

1943: The Second World War gradually brings all activities to a stop.

1945: The company is confiscated by the Allied Powers.

1949: The company is allowed to start business again.

1954: Winckler & Co. is allowed once again to operate as an independent company.

1960: A specialized department for the import of machinery and plant equipment is set up.

Office staff in the 60's

1981: A further department is added for the import of marine and leisure goods.

Today this departemnt has become an independent company. You can visit their japanese homepage here.

1988: The company is reorganized as WINCKLER & CO.,Ltd.

Yokohama office in the 90's

1995: An engineering department is founded with service technicans stationed in Yokohama, Nagoya and Kobe