The Josef Haas locksmith and machine fitting company was founded in Vienna in 1905. The company prospered. When they became old enough, Josef's three sons, Josef, Franz and Karl joined the company and were trained as master craftsmen. The sons eventually took over the company and expanded the product range to include tool- making , jigs and fixtures, and the repair of waffle irons used to make Karlsbad Oblaten and wafers.

Franz Haas became keenly interested in the wafer baking machines and started to develop new ideas for wafer making. As a result the HV6 wafer baking machine was born. With his wife's help in business matters, the company grew. Initial market successes encouraged them to develop and build a complete range of machines for the manufacture of cream filled wafers. At this stage Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen became a separate company.

Today the company which is still family owned and managed, continues to manufacture the finest equipment available for the production of wafers, cookies & crackers, ice cream cones, waffles & pancakes, and wafer sticks.