Tricotfabriek

Winterswijk grew strongly centuries ago due to the emerging textile industry. This industry attracted workers from all over the country and the city was supplied with railways, new schools and many more amenities. Willink was the largest employer in Winterswijk with three textile factories. The Willink family consisted of drapery traders for a long time, but in 1890 Gerrit Jan Willink opened his own tricot factory. This factory mainly produced underwear. The company grew rapidly and in 1929 Gerrit Jan had no fewer than 1100 employees. The factory survived the crisis years and the war, but eventually the factory had to be closed. The textile industry was increasingly being outsourced to low-wage countries. In 1978 the factory was closed and the building was empty for years. The building burned down at the time, but nowadays it has been completely renovated. Now there is an apartment complex located in the old factory, but the exterior of the factory is still as it used to be.