NL – The company Wisa that is based in Enschede, the Netherlands celebrated its 70th anniversary on March 1, 2023 under the motto “The party at our company already started 70 years ago!”. Over the past seven decades the firm that specialises in promotional balloons, paper flags, beer mats and co. has according to own accounts developed into one of the leading manufacturers of its kind in the promotional products industry. The down-to-earth family business from the Dutch region of Twente is currently being run in the third generation by Anouk Sannemann.
Anouk Sannemann, who took over the business from her father Willy Sannemann junior, joined the company 28 years ago. Anouk Sannemann’s grandfather Willy Sannemann senior founded Wisa. Driven by his entrepreneur spirit, he started off imprinting balloons by hand from home. Thanks to hard work, an unwavering vision for good production and a high urge for improvement and rationalisation, the production of the balloons quickly rose from 500 up to 100,000 pieces per day as a result of numerous innovations and investments. Beyond this, the company founder also recognised the need for printed promotional products made of paper. As was the case for the embellishment of balloons, own fully-automatic machines were developed for the purpose.
“The transition of the company from one generation to the next was characterised by different insights, which were in some cases determined by the different zeitgeist,” Wisa stated on the occasion of the company’s anniversary. “Our business practices have changed significantly over the course of the years, Anouk Sannemann has appropriated these accordingly. The challenges in the area of legislation and especially the environmental laws as well as the wishes and demands of the customers demand different dynamics from the management compared to what Willy Sannemann junior experienced for example.“ One thing that has remained constant across all three generations is the motto that serves as the principle for how Wisa is run: Work hard, deliver good products and keep your promises. What distinguishes a family business is that it is run based on own knowledge and own experience as well as with own entrepreneurial spirit – without having to show consideration for shareholders and investors.
The company founder Willy Sannemann senior with today’s owner of Wisa, Anouk Sannemann.
Anouk Sannemann and her companion Folkert Brink are leading Wisa into the future together.
Wisa produces at its own factory for both the promotional products market and for the hospitality sector and always caters to the specific needs of its customers. In addition to the employees at the location in Enschede, the company also relies on a trusted and loyal team of home workers in the immediate vicinity. Moreover, Wisa preferably works together with local suppliers and partners. Own special packaging and drop shipping services round off the portfolio of the family business, which exports to 16 countries in the meantime.
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Wisa, Willy Sannemann junior, who at the wish of his daughter continued supporting the company in an advisory capacity for several years after Anouk Sannemann had taken over full responsibility for running the company, has now decided to end his consulting activities. During the company anniversary, Anouk Sannemann thanked her father for the many years of competent support. Anouk Sannemann and her companion Folker Brinkert, who is responsible for the areas product safety, industrial safety regulations, HR and Sales at Wisa, consider the company to be well-equipped for the future and are looking optimistically ahead to the continued cooperation with their business partners.
