When Wilhelm Van Berkel produced his first slicer back in 1898 by mechanically reproducing the movement of the hand that cuts with a knife, he would not have thought that within a short period of time his name would be known all over the world. Yet quickly his invention spread out onto all five continents. Within a year had opened his first factory and produced over a hundred slicers for the market in the Netherlands. The year after production had grown to about six hundred slicers. At that time the machines were sold only within one country: the Netherlands. However, Van Berkel’s idea, both innovative and brilliant, soon knew a high demand from abroad, too. When presented at huge international expositions, Berkel slicers received various official acknowledgments. Over the years, Berkel gained various highly coveted gold medals from various expositions, such as Nord-Hansen (1904), Hamburg (1907), Düssledorf (1908), Lyon (1913), San Francisco (1916) und Paris (1937).
The elegant form, the harmonic movement, the unmistakable Berkel-red make of these machines icons of design. Berkel products, as often faked as other luxury labels, are an expression of history. They are welcome in every house and are must-haves for many. Designers and architects use Berkel machines to bring a touch of luxury into kitchens or living-rooms and not to forget restaurants and delicacy stores. Adding harmony to a warm and traditional ambience or contrast a modern environment – the Berkel does it all.
It was about 35 years ago that I first saw a historical Berkel machine. The passion and fervour for these high precision cult objects has followed me since then. When we restructured our kiosk in Bruneck (South Tyrol), I let my dream come true and installed a small but fine exposition room for about 20 original Berkel machines. This enables me now to display almost the complete range of Berkel slices and offer them to interested customers. Due to my collector’s passion and my pursuit for perfection, I came into contact with the one person, who is among the world’s best, authorised Berkel restaurateurs. Moreover he has been working with the enterprise Berkel since 2002, which enables us to hand out an official authenticity certificate and a 10 years warranty.
In our showroom you can both, admire the Berkel slicers and try some cold slice cut by the Berkel of your choosing. It is a 30m2 room with about 20 Berkel slicers, all different models and from different epochs, yet all restored, certified and ready for use or selling. I have always believed that the customer should have a right to try out what he intends to buy. I am absolutely transparent as to my business and guarantee with my name for the products I am selling.
...people who sell slicers and call themselves “hobby craftspeople” or “collectors”. Make sure those people are in possession of a regular certificate of authenticity and a VAT Number. A non licenced-machine will be more expensive in the end and is a true let-down.
....traders, who offer a million of different products in their shops. A Berkel slicer is a jewel and needs to be restored by specialised craftsmen and only who really does restore machines can guarantee you the quality of their work.
Graben 24D • I-39031 Bruneck/Brunico (BZ) Italy • VAT Number IT 01478250218 • Tax ID MRNNTN70C04B220F • Mobile +39 348 8423450 • info@typischtoni.com • Credits