ABOUT US
GRAEF
Founded in 1920, Gebr. Graef GmbH & Co. KG from Arnsberg is one of the leading manufacturers of cutting machines for private and commercial use. In 2020, the family-owned company already celebrated its 100th anniversary. 100 % innovation, 100 % engineering, 100 % sustainability and much more - for the important year 2020, GRAEF has formulated concise messages that perfectly summarize the philosophy of the family-owned company, its values and achievements. Thus, the company - now family-run in the fourth generation - has long since stood not only for the highest quality "Made in Germany", but also for responsible and sustainable business practices.
The innovative products from the Arnsberg manufactory continue to set industry standards, especially the all-purpose slicers for private households. With knife sharpeners, portafilter espresso machines, coffee grinders, milk frothers, kettles, toasters and waffle irons, the GRAEF company also ensures daily, versatile enjoyment. Nationally and internationally, its products are known for high-quality workmanship, durability, user-friendliness and sophisticated design. They have been awarded the most coveted design prizes many times and repeatedly achieve top marks in product tests. Since 2009, GRAEF has been named "Brand of the Century" several times and recently won the Plus X Award as "Best Brand of the Year 2020".
100 years of GRAEF
In 2020, kitchen appliance manufacturer GRAEF celebrated its 100th birthday - and in the best of health. The Arnsberg-based company owes its good constitution above all to two characteristics: its ability to reinvent itself several times over and yet remain true to its line in the long term. As a family business, we think and act across generations. We can look back on a long history and are aware of our responsibility for the future. The anniversary year is therefore all about resource conservation. On the one hand, there are the appliances, first and foremost the universal slicers, some of which are still doing their job after decades of kitchen service. But what is just as important: Bread, cheese and ham remain fresh for much longer when bought in one piece and only cut when needed. Back then, people appreciated the money they saved; today, they also enjoy the sustainable use of food and packaging.
In 1953, the sons of Hermann Graef, who had founded the company in 1920 in Arnsberg in the Sauerland region, began designing the first hand-operated all-cutting machine. Then, 14 years later, they launched the first electric household all-cutting machine in metal design, whose unique design was protected by the German Patent Office. Many internationally recognized standards were set - from the maintenance-free capacitor motor to the Genio carriage or the cantilever design to the gravity slicer - and thus the reputation of GRAEF products as particularly functional and indestructible kitchen appliances was built up. Thanks to their long service life, the appliances therefore often accompany their users over several stages of their lives.
Thanks to the second business area of professional slicers for commercial use, which has existed since the 1960s, we have repeatedly been able to successfully transfer useful innovations and technologies from the commercial sector to the private sector.
With the know-how as market leader in the all-in-one slicer premium segment, further product ranges around the kitchen area could be successfully developed and expanded.
The GRAEF products captivate with their design. Awards such as the "Plus X Award", the "Red Dot Design Award" or the "German Design Award" prove that our company is also extremely successful in terms of equipment.
A brand of the century
GRAEF is one of Germany's strongest brands - and has set international standards in its product genre. Our family-owned company was named "Brand of the Century" in 2004, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2019 and again in 2022. This means that GRAEF can count itself among the exclusive circle of only around 180 German brands.
In November 2021, GRAEF received the award as Brand of the Century for the sixth time. It is awarded every three years by "Deutsche Standards", which belongs to the ZEIT publishing group. The book "Deutsche Standards - Marken des Jahrhunderts" (German Standards - Brands of the Century) thus honors companies that shape Germany's economy and has been published for 20 years. The work lists GRAEF as one of more than 180 national brands that exemplify a specific product segment.
The focus of "German Standards" is primarily on the family-owned company's all-purpose slicers. What entered kitchens as a classic bread machine is now so much more. Sausage, cheese, fruit, vegetables - the possible applications are as versatile as the GRAEF models themselves. The range includes a suitable solution for every budget and scope of use, from the entry-level machine to the absolute professional model - handmade in the Sauerland region, of course. "Almost every innovation in the universal slicer market has its origin in our manufacture," emphasizes Hermann Graef.
GRAEF's household appliances stand for quality, functionality and distinctive design.
In addition to the universal slicers, the GRAEF range includes more and more kitchen gadgets that make everyday kitchen life easier and tastier. This now includes the CoffeeKitchen with stylish portafilter machines that make the coffee hearts of beginners and professionals beat faster - so enjoyment moves into every home.