WE-EF turns 75

Wolfgang Fritzsche founded the company in 1950 as a craftsman's business in Bispingen. The brand name WE-EF was derived from the master electrician's initials. In the following decades, the company continued to develop: The 1960s saw advances in aluminum casting, and the 1970s saw the creation of its own lighting laboratory. The 1990s saw the emergence of digital design technologies and environmentally friendly production processes such as powder coating.

With the takeover by sons Thomas and Stephan Fritzsche, international expansion began. The company opened up new markets in Europe, Asia, the USA, and Australia. Starting in 2006, WE-EF established itself as a pioneer of LED technology in outdoor and street lighting, developing its own patented lens optics. In 2013, the company published its first environmental product declarations for its products.

WE-EF's lighting solutions are used in internationally renowned projects, including Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the Niederfinow Ship Lift, The Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore, the Augustus Bridge in Dresden, the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Federation Square in Melbourne, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh, and the Bloomberg European Headquarters in London.

In 2017, WE-EF joined the Fagerhult Group. Starting in 2020, the founding family transferred control of the company to a management team. CEO Thiemo Cordes has been leading a comprehensive transformation process since 2022. The company is transforming from a historically evolved structure with various locations and subsidiaries into a digitally connected organization.

The company has been accepted into the "Climate Protection Company Excellence Initiative." Cordes plans to invest in three areas for the future: employee appreciation, product innovations, and site infrastructure. He sees particular potential in precision lighting and smart urban lighting solutions. A new factory and a Customer Experience Center are planned at the Bispingen headquarters.

WE-EF hosted several events during its anniversary year. On May 8, 2025, the new Casting Competence Center opened at its Fürstenwalde location. The company celebration took place on June 27, 2025, at Gut Bardenhagen. On October 2, 2025, the company will open its headquarters in Bispingen to customers, partners, and the public. Further customer events are planned for fall and winter.

The accompanying brand book, "The light comes from within," portrays WE-EF's corporate culture and employees. " The light comes from within—this motto describes not only our products, but also the commitment of our team worldwide ," emphasizes CEO Thiemo Cordes . " We thank everyone who has contributed to this success story and look forward to shaping a sustainable future together. "

Further information on WE-EF's 75-year history can be found at we-ef.com/de/about-us/75-jahre-licht