Gewerbering 19 | 09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal

Founded

1958

Milestones

1950 Emergence from Gustav Winkler KG Lauban/Lichtenstein | 1958 First name change to Wattana | 1979 Integration into VEB Kombinat Baumwolle Chemnitz | 1985 Reconstruction of VEB Wattana, the only producer of cotton wool clothing in the GDR | 1989 Production of 766,000 cold protection jackets – with the collapse of the sales markets and switch to contract manufacturing | 1992 Privatisation to WATTANA Kälteschutz- und Berufsbekleidung GmbH Rödlitz | 2002 Change of name to workfashion.com GmbH, based in Glauchau | 2005 New development of an on-board parka for the German Navy – specialisation in protective clothing: WATTANA is significantly involved in the introduction of blue police uniforms. | 2010 Change of name to WATTANA GmbH and new company headquarters in Hohenstein-Ernstthal

Owner  

Gabriele Götze

Managing directors

Gabriele Götze, Alexander Geber

Location(s)

Development in Hohenstein-Ernstthal | Production in long-standing partnership with manufacturing companies in eastern Europe, e.g. Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia

Workplaces

40 (2 trainees, 2 working students, 1 student on a dual study programme)

Production/research focus, product range

Manufacture of high-tech materials in the field of operational and special operations clothing for the police and military as well as workwear 

Company philosophy

“We have a long tradition of developing and producing personal protective equipment and other specialised clothing using the latest textile technology. Confidence in the performance of our products is crucial for our customers. WATTANA employees work with this knowledge every day to be able to say: WATTANA – well-dressed with safety.”

WATTANA was founded in 1958 and initially produced padded protective workwear. The ‘Grey Mouse’ wadded jacket – so called because of its colour – was legendary in the GDR. 1989/90 brought major changes: before the upheaval, 500 employees worked at the company, then part of the cotton combine. In 1992, WATTANA was privatised and developed into a leading manufacturer of protective clothing. Today, its customers include almost all of Germany’s police authorities and the German armed forces. State-of-the-art textile technologies ensure optimum protection and wearing comfort. Among other things, WATTANA develops wet and cold protection clothing, stab and cut protection clothing as well as urban operational clothing and commando suits. Close cooperation with the authorities enables customised solutions.