CiS Press Office, April 1, 2025
Krefeld, April 1, 2025 – Peter M. Wöllner, owner of CiS electronic GmbH, celebrates the company’s 45th anniversary. CiS, a specialist in cable assembly, system technology, and mechatronics, is headquartered in Krefeld and operates production facilities in Germany and the Czech Republic. This milestone marks an extraordinary chapter in the history of the family-run business.
On April 1, 1980, Peter M. Wöllner joined CiS-Components-Instruments-Systems GmbH & Co. KG—founded in 1975—as the company’s 12th employee. He took over sales management and acquired customers who continue to maintain successful business relationships with CiS to this day. In 1984, he became a minority shareholder and managing director of CiS electronic GmbH, a company established specifically for connection and system technology. In 1995, Peter M. Wöllner acquired the company and relocated its headquarters to Krefeld. Under his leadership, the once small company grew into one of the largest independent cable assemblers in Europe. Responding to customer demand for Eastern European production, Mr. Wöllner founded the subsidiary CiS systems s.r.o. in Nové Město p. S., Czech Republic, in 1997.
In the years that followed, Peter M. Wöllner once again demonstrated his entrepreneurial foresight: by making a counter-cyclical investment during the 2009 global economic crisis, he expanded the Hejnice site in the Czech Republic into the group’s largest production facility. This strategic decision laid the foundation for the CiS Group’s dynamic growth throughout the 2010s and significantly enhanced the company’s long-term international competitiveness.
In 2015, he acquired a German-Romanian site from a competitor for large-scale production in the automotive industry and established CiS automotive GmbH in Krefeld along with its Romanian counterpart, CiS automotive SRL.
With the acquisition of Krefeld-based Zabel Technik GmbH & Co. KG in 2022, the portfolio was ideally expanded to include modern input systems (HMI).
In 2023, the automotive market began to weaken. CiS electronic GmbH adjusted its strategy to refocus on traditional industrial markets such as mechanical engineering, medical technology, renewable energy, and the defense and aerospace sectors. In response to dynamic shifts in the automotive sector, the CiS automotive SRL production site in Romania was transferred to the local managing director on February 7, 2025, as part of a management buyout (MBO). All jobs were retained, which was of great importance to us. Today, the CiS Group employs approximately 800 people.
Since 2024, CiS has been investing in the expansion and certification of its Czech production site according to the VG standard for military applications, thereby promoting growth in new, technologically demanding markets.
Quality, customer focus, and sustainability have always been guiding principles for Peter M. Wöllner. In 2012, CiS became the first CO₂-neutral cable assembly company in Germany. In 2014, it joined the UN Global Compact, affirming its commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices. Over the years, the company has received multiple awards — including recognition as a top supplier by Siemens and Thales, as well as independent audits ranking CiS among the best employers worldwide.
Mr. Wöllner also brings his extensive experience as a member of the Senate of Economy, underscoring his commitment to value-oriented corporate leadership.
“I am grateful and also a little proud of what we have accomplished together over the past 45 years,” says Peter M. Wöllner, owner and Managing Director of CiS electronic GmbH. “From a small business with just twelve employees, we have grown into a European group of companies. This growth is primarily thanks to our dedicated employees and the long-standing loyalty of our valued customers and partners. Many of our business relationships have lasted for decades — a strong sign of trust. As we celebrate this anniversary, we not only look back with pride but also forward with confidence. We remain committed to providing our customers with the highest quality, innovative solutions, and reliable service.”
The next generation of the Wöllner family also paid tribute to the life’s work of the honoree. “My father set benchmarks for decades through his vision and entrepreneurial courage,” emphasizes Martin Wöllner, member of the CiS Group Management Board. “The values he embodied — customer focus, reliability, and the principles of the honorable businessman — will continue to guide us as we carry on the CiS Group’s success story.”
As a recognized brand manufacturer and provider of system technology and mechatronics, CiS electronic GmbH focuses on sustainable concepts, quality, speed, and reliability — always in the service of its customers. With a holistic understanding of connection technology, CiS develops customer-specific solutions for a broad range of applications, systems, and markets. From the customer's perspective, CiS is considered one of the most efficient partners in the industry today. CiS’s active contribution to reducing total cost of ownership and enhancing competitiveness is especially valued. High flexibility, deep technological understanding, and extensive manufacturing expertise enable CiS to meet the needs of diverse industries — from highly complex series projects to unique custom solutions.
CiS continues to strengthen this position across application areas such as automation, medical technology, mechanical engineering, energy and environmental technology, transportation, rail, aerospace, defense, and more. In 2024, CiS was once again recognized by Intertek (London) as one of the world’s best employers as part of the international WCA audit.