Hermann Zerver was born on 20 August 1840. As the son of Johann David Zerver, a small-scale blacksmith, he began an apprenticeship with his father in order to ‘learn and understand his father’s honourable crafts and trades as thoroughly as possible’.

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The growing order book enables HAZET to expand further. Several extensions are added, and the first group photograph of the workforce – now comprising 17 workers and 4 apprentices – is taken.

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David Zerver, Ernst Zerver’s younger brother, joined HAZET as an apprentice at the age of 14. Seven years later, the two sons took over the company and Hermann Zerver retired.

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With the outbreak of the First World War, production was switched to manufacturing equipment essential for the war effort. On 6 December 1906, the company’s founder, Hermann Zerver, died. In 1921, HAZET expanded and a new production hall was built between the original factory and the office.

HAZET begins exporting its products abroad for the first time. By 1926, the workforce has grown to 50 people.

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At the end of July 1943, Remscheid was attacked by Allied bombers and suffered heavy damage. The HAZET main factory was also almost completely destroyed by incendiary bombs.

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HAZET exhibits at five trade fairs in Geneva, Amsterdam, Hanover, Brussels and Stockholm. The number of employees is growing rapidly to 244. The economic miracle, the company’s good relations with car manufacturers and rising export figures are driving the company’s continued growth.

A tool box suitable for the VW Beetle’s spare wheel, containing all the tools needed for maintenance, becomes a bestseller. The HAZET “tool trolley ‘Assistent’” becomes a new cult item.

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At this point in time, HAZET employs 490 staff. A new forge is being built in Güldenwerth.

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On 1 March 1973, Jochen Zerver, the son of Alfred Zerver and a fourth-generation member of the family, began working at HAZET. In the years that followed, HAZET launched several innovations onto the market.

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Matthias J. Hoffmann, the son of Hans Zerver’s youngest daughter, Ulrike, will begin his career as part of the fifth generation at HAZET in early March.

The HAZET 600 N combination wrenches, featuring a new, slimmer design, were aggressively launched and marketed following their market announcement in 1991. The HAZET composite reversible ratchet – affectionately known as the ‘sandwich’ ratchet – was developed and successfully launched.

The comprehensive ‘Der Katalog 2000’ is published as a high-quality, hardback book comprising 404 pages. HAZET becomes the ‘Official Supplier and Technical Partner of Porsche Motorsport’. The first ‘Special worldwide’ promotional brochure is published in 1997 and is still in circulation today.

In 1998, the first website went live at www.hazet.de. Two years later, HAZET launched its first more comprehensive website with a menu-driven navigation system.

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HAZET is recognised as one of the top 100 medium-sized companies by former politician Lothar Späth. The new 1⁄4″ nut-driver set, the HAZET ‘SmartCase’ 856-1, is awarded the iF Design Award. Further awards follow in the years that follow. After all, as the saying goes, no pain, no gain. And that certainly applies at HAZET too.

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