Wenger
Victorinox · Switzerland
Wenger is a Swiss brand founded in 1893 and based in Delémont, owned by Victorinox since 2005. Today the name is used for Swiss watches and licensed products such as luggage, backpacks and business accessories.
| Founded | 1893, Courtételle |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Delémont, Switzerland |
| Parent | Victorinox (since 2005) |
| Current lines | Watches, licensed luggage and accessories |
| Website | wenger.ch |
What is Wenger?
Wenger is a Swiss brand with roots in the cutlery house Paul Boéchat & Cie, founded in 1893 in Courtételle by Paul Boéchat. The company later became Wenger and is headquartered in Delémont in the canton of Jura. It was acquired by Victorinox in 2005.
History
Wenger was long known as one of the makers of Swiss army knives. In 2013 Wenger and Victorinox announced that the separate knife brands would merge into the Victorinox brand. The Delémont factory continued to produce knives, some Wenger designs stayed in production under the Victorinox name, and Wenger's United States headquarters merged with the Victorinox site in Monroe, Connecticut.
Products and positioning
Since then the Wenger name has continued in other categories:
- Wenger watches, which continue as a separate brand
- Licensed products in North America, including luggage, backpacks, camping gear and business items
- Kitchen cutlery under the Swibo and Grand Maître names
Why it matters
Wenger illustrates how a heritage name can be repositioned after a merger: rather than disappearing, it was kept for watches and licensed travel goods, using Swiss origin and outdoor associations to sell accessories beyond its original product.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Wenger?
Wenger has been owned by Victorinox since 2005.
Does Wenger still exist?
Yes. Wenger knives were merged into the Victorinox brand in 2013, but the Wenger name continues for watches and licensed products such as luggage and backpacks.