The development of "Weissenfels" was undoubtedly favored by the presence in Valromana of small but iron rich deposits; in addition to plenty of wood and coal which were especially suited to feed the low fires and forges of this period.

In the XVI century "Weissenfels" was part of the domain of the Counts of Cilli.

The next proprietors were the Augsburg who did not retain it very long. Towards the end of 1700, a new foundry and file construction department were added to the first forges. Almost a hundred years later the plants were taken over by the firm Göppinger & Co., which gave a new direction to "Weissenfels" by reducing progressively the forging production and specializing in the production of chains from 1 to 26 mm in diameter. After building a 800 Hp hydroelectric system, they acquired new patents and modern machinery to increase productivity, establishing the home market and the most important foreign markets such as those of the Middle East, India, Spain and Latin America.

At the end of the First World War and after the fall of the Austrian Empire, the Göppinger family preferred to sell the entire operation to a young a dynamic industrialist who came to Triest at the end of the war and who was to reveal himself as a real captain of industry with advanced modern views. Is was under his direction that the plants were transformed into a modern industry restructured into a joint stock company as still is today. "Weissenfels" chains, a trademark left unchanged in order to testify to their "aristocratic" origin, very soon became known for their high resistance and excellent quality. The chain industry itself become ever more important during this same period.

During the Second World War the company overcame, with difficulty, some hard times. In the post-war period, after modernizing the so-called "old" departments, "Weissenfels" continued to move forward. An experimental laboratory and a large new department were built. The latter was designed for manufacturing snow chains, the now famous "W", a guarantee for every car driver.

Together with the technical advances social structures also changed. A comfortable canteen with recreation rooms, a bachelor residence, new houses for the workers and a very large sport facility were built.

Today the factory is still growing and there are many projects planned for the future.

"Weissenfels" products are known throughout the world and the name "Weissenfels" has become synonymous with the tradition and the highest quality standards of chain manufacturing.