About Us

Our history 

In 1919, Leo J. Wahl invented the electric hair clipper. Since then, Wahl Clipper Corporation, Sterling/IL (USA) has been a leader in hair clippers for hairdressers and home hair care. Today, with over 4,000 employees worldwide, Wahl Clipper Corporation continues the work Leo J. Wahl started over 100 years ago. We are proud to continue the tradition of innovation and superior customer service. 

1911

FOUNDED BY LEO WAHL

The road which lead to the creation of the Wahl Clipper Corporation began when Sterling High School junior, Leo J. Wahl, experimented with a vibrating electromagnetic motor. Later as an engineering student at the University of Illinois, Leo Wahl designed a vibrating medical massager for his uncle J. Frank Wahl, who began manufacturing the massagers in a small plant in Sterling, Illinois. Leo spent his spare time selling these massagers to barbershops, where he recognized the need to improve barber tools. When his uncle was called into service during the Mexican Revolution, Leo Wahl took over the manufacturing business and began experimenting on a new electric hair clipper.

1919

Leo applied for patents

On October 14, Leo J. Wahl applied for patents on his newly developed electromagnetic hair clipper, and manufacturing began at the Wahl Manufacturing Company. It was the first practical clipper with the drive motor in the hand, rather than connected to a separate motor through a flexible shaft. By the end of 1920, his factory had manufactured and sold thousands of clippers to barbers all over the United States. In these early years, Mr. Wahl concentrated on working directly with barbers to improve the efficiency and convenience of his hair clipper.

1921

Company officially named Wahl Clipper Corporation

On February 2, Leo J. Wahl, having received a patent on his new hair clipper, purchased 100% of the Wahl Manufacturing Company stock and renamed and incorporated the business as the Wahl Clipper Corporation. Growth was rapid, financed from manufacturing earnings and patent royalties.

1940

BUSINESS EXPANSION

In the early 1940s, the company installed its own plastic molding presses and further expanded this important manufacturing capacity.WAHL Clipper Corporation once produced hundreds of thousands of micro-sized electrical switches.With the addition of additional manufacturing technologies, the company grew into a vertical manufacturing manufacturer with almost all product components manufactured at the Wahl factory.The product line for professional hairdressers and beauticians has been expanded to include items such as a professional salon hair dryer, scissor sharpeners, scissors, curling brushes, combs and hair clipper attachments.WAHL also produces a new hair dryer - the “Silent Dryer”.At times, over 2,000 units of the hair dryer were produced in one day.Meanwhile, new products were being developed, including an electromagnetic mixer for milkshakes.

1950

THE COMPANY BEGINS EXPORTING

Wahl recognized a global need for professional hair clippers and from then on built products in different voltage and frequency versions for the international market.Over the years, Wahl has built a successful network of sales and service representatives around the world.In the early 1950s, Wahl opened a production facility in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

1957

LEO WAHL DIES

Leo J. Wahl died on May 20, 1957. During his life he acquired over 100 patents for various inventions.

1957

THE COMPANY IS MOVING

The company moved from its previous location at 407 E. Third Street to a new, larger factory on North Locust Street in Sterling, Illinois, where it can still be found today.

1960

PRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC SHAVERS

In the mid-1960s, the company developed and produced a unique and innovative electric shaver with a flexible cutting set.

1965

INTRODUCING THE VAC CLIPPER

As another industry innovation, the company is presenting the Vac Clipper - a hair clipper with an integrated hair vacuum cleaner.Trade show visitors are amazed as they watch a man get a complete haircut without a single hair falling on his suit.This was the introduction of the Vac Clipper, a hair clipper with a vacuum hair pickup.

1966

INTRODUCTION OF ROTARY MOTOR

Wahl begins production of its first universal hair clippers with rotary motors.In the same year, this was replaced by a permanent magnet motor, which Wahl installed in a new, powerful animal clipper.

1967

THE FIRST CORDLESS TRIMMER

The company develops and markets the first cordless cordless hair trimmer for commercial use.

1970

THE STRIKE

A series of unresolved issues left over from an eight-week strike in 1965 led to a 26-week strike that culminated in the union's dismissal.In the same year, a new speed-adjustable hair clipper with a rare earth permanent magnet motor was launched.

1971

WAHL DEVELOPS THE WORLD'S FIRST CORDLESS SOLDERING IRON

Based on its battery technology, the company develops and produces the world's first cordless battery soldering iron.As the first product from Wahl's newly founded electronics division, the new product conquers 90% of the US market within two weeks.

1975

WAHL DEVELOPS MASSAGE EQUIPMENT

The company begins manufacturing a complete range of foot and back massagers with vibration and heat regulation and the efficient electromagnetic motor.

1977

WAHL DEVELOPS NOSE HAIR TRIMMER

Wahl is launching another new product: the hygienic cordless trimmer for nose hair and eyebrows.

1984

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GROOMSMAN

The company develops the Groomsman, the world's first battery-powered facial hair trimmer.This product opens up a new and attractive customer base.Due to new products and increasing sales, the company needs more space and initially purchases a school building measuring around 1,600 square meters.By 1992, over 14,000 square meters of space had been added.Continuing its leadership position as a leader in electric hair clippers, the Professional Beauty and Barber Division began developing other tools for salon use, including a line of styling products under the VISIONS name.

1987

WAHL INTRODUCES STYLING PRODUCTS

In August, the company introduced another innovative product to the professional market, the ZeeCurl.This unique flat curling iron gave stylists a tool to create new hairstyles with Z-shaped curls and add texture and body to all hair types.In 1988 the “FreenZee”, the consumer version of the curling iron, was added.

1989

NEW FROM CHOICE

New products: a battery-powered massage stick, an extendable magnifying mirror, the Sterling range of professional hair clippers, electronic drilling tools, a special razor for dark-skinned men, the "Stubble Device" for shaving stubble and a bikini line razor.

1990

BUSINESS IS BOOMING

The Groomsman range is expanding into a range of battery and rechargeable beard and mustache trimmers for home users.Wahl made a serious move into electrics.In 1991, Wahl began mass production of three new electric razor models at its Sterling facility using its recently invented DynaFlex cutting system.

1993

CUSTOM SHAVING SYSTEM

This year saw the debut of the Custom Shave System, offering the user a choice of three foil heads for varying levels of closeness and comfort of shaving.Many new and cordless hair cutting and trimming products have been launched for both professionals and consumers.

1996

WAHL ACQUIRES MOSER

During the year, the company acquired Moser Elektrogeräte GmbH, an international manufacturer headquartered in Unterkirnach, Germany.Moser's Hungarian production facility, Kuno Moser Kft, as well as the shares in Ermila GmbH, a sales company for professional hair clippers, were also taken over by WAHL.All activities of the two companies were merged into one global organization.The synergy effect of combined research, development, production, logistics and marketing resulted in a comprehensive global presence for both companies.Founded in 1946, Moser is considered a leading international manufacturer of products similar to Wahl, including hair clippers, massagers, razors and trimmers for pets.Moser's product range also included devices for oral hygiene.

1997

GREG WAHL IS APPOINTED PRESIDENT

Gregory S. Wahl was elected President of Wahl Clipper, USA, succeeding his father John F. (Jack) Wahl, who continues to serve as CEO.Greg Wahl discussed the company's future in the 21st century, reaffirming the company's globalization efforts and commitment to serving consumers and professional customers regardless of their location.

1999

INDUSTRY LEADER

Wahl Clipper Corporation is an international industry leader in the manufacture of personal care equipment and products for the professional beauty and hair salon trade.The company currently employs over 4,000 people worldwide in the USA, Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Japan and many other countries.

2001

WAHL INTRODUCES TRIM N' VAC

Wahl launches the amazing Trim N Vac - the first beard and mustache trimmer that vacuums up the trimmed hairs using a patented system."Groomed Beard - Clean Sink".

2009

LITHIUM ION TECHNOLOGY

Wahl Clipper Corporation introduces the first lithium-ion trimmer.

2010

INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY LEADER

The company continued as the international industry leader in the manufacturing of products for the professional beauty and barber salon trade, personal consumer care and animal grooming. Wahl products were available in 165 countries around the world.

2016

40,000-square-foot corporate headquarters

With a 40,000-square-foot corporate headquarters building, Wahl firmly cemented in Sterling for generations to come.

2017

Wahl commitment

The continued commitment of the Wahl family and the growing number of fourth generation family members working together for the future advancement of the company.

2019

Wahl celebrates 100

Wahl celebrates 100 years of creating innovative products and services. The company continues as the leader in the industry.