Our Company History
Founded on August 1, 1943, as a regional plumbing and installation company, our business grew under Arno Hentschel into a manufacturer of sheet metal and metal products. As early as 1965, we began manufacturing forming tools and producing stamped parts. In 1972, we added the production of grating to our operations.
Since 2015, the company has been led and continuously developed by Thomas Scholz as part of an external business succession. In 2016, the ARNELL brand was relaunched to focus on fastening solutions, and the company was awarded the “Sächsischer Meilenstein,” a prize recognizing successful business succession.
In 2021, construction of the company’s new facility in Zittau (Saxony) was completed, and all business operations were relocated to this site. Since then, the company has been operating under the name ARNELL | Arno Hentschel GmbH.
Our Mission
Our mission is to be a sustainable and reliable supplier of metal products in Europe and around the world, with a strong regional presence in Upper Lusatia. We strive to continuously improve our production and services and to develop environmentally friendly solutions.
Sustainability
With the new building we moved into in 2021, we have addressed the challenges of environmental protection and energy efficiency.
For example, the solar panel system installed on our roof generates more electricity over the course of a year than we consume ourselves. Currently, we only need to purchase additional electricity during certain seasons.
Since 2023, our passenger car fleet has consisted of at least hybrid or fully electric vehicles, allowing us to drive with zero local emissions.
Commitment
Arno Hentschel Foundation
When it comes to social responsibility, we have always held a firm stance. Even during his lifetime, Arno Hentschel was deeply committed to raising awareness about people who are different—and to supporting and empowering them to the best of our ability. To this end, the Arno Hentschel Foundation was established in 1998 and has been an integral part of our company ever since.
Administered by the Diakoniewerk Oberlausitz group of organizations, the foundation supports initiatives aimed at improving people’s quality of life by covering everyday expenses, modernizing residential facilities, and providing recreational activities, as well as by supporting therapeutic services.
In a business context, the Arno Hentschel Foundation acts as a reliable partner, supporting companies in their forward-looking development to ensure their success. Both sides benefit equally from this collaboration.
In addition to the work of the Arno Hentschel Foundation, the company contributes to the community by providing employment in the workshops of various organizations in the region.