Storz & Bickel Tuttlingen: History, Vaporizers, and Accessories from the German Manufacturer

Hardly any other German vaporizer manufacturer is as closely linked to a specific product as Storz & Bickel is to the legendary VOLCANO. What began as a technical idea evolved into an internationally successful company whose vaporizers are now known worldwide.

However, there is much more behind Storz & Bickel from Tuttlingen than just the famous desktop vaporizer. In this article, you will learn about the history of the two founders, find out who owns the company today, and get an overview of the current models along with their accessories. The change in leadership in 2026 and production in Germany are also discussed. At the end, we answer five frequently asked questions.

Storz and Bickel from Tuttlingen and the success story behind the well-known vaporizers

Storz & Bickel is a German manufacturer of high-quality vaporizers for dried herbs. The company is based in Tuttlingen, Baden-Württemberg, a city internationally known for its medical technology. The VOLCANO, in particular, made the brand famous beyond Germany.

The manufacturer focuses on achieving the most uniform vaporization possible at controlled temperatures. To this end, different heating systems are used. While some models work exclusively with hot air, others combine convection and conduction. This technology makes it possible to release the active ingredients of the plant material without direct combustion.

Development and production at the Vapor Factory

The so-called Vapor Factory is located at the street In Grubenäcker 5-9 in Tuttlingen. The production facility, which opened in 2016, was set up specifically for manufacturing vaporizers and was later expanded.

Since 2009, the company has had a quality management system certified according to ISO 13485. In-house development and controlled production form a key basis for product quality. Long-standing experience with medical vaporizers, such as the Mighty+ Medic, also shapes their technical standards.

Markus Storz and Jürgen Bickel laid the foundation for an international vaporizer brand

The story begins with Markus Storz, who was already working on a hot-air vaporizer for herbs in 1996. His idea was to heat plant material to a specific temperature without burning it. This resulted in the VOLCANO, whose characteristic balloon system became the hallmark of the brand.

In 2002, Jürgen Bickel joined as a business partner. Together, the two founders continued to grow the company. The technical innovation lay primarily in the combination of precise heating with a well-thought-out air and valve system. Patents also helped to protect their own developments.

The most important milestones in the company's history

• 1996: Markus Storz begins development of a hot-air vaporizer for herbs.

• 2000: The now-legendary VOLCANO CLASSIC is launched and establishes the well-known balloon system.

• 2002: Jürgen Bickel joins as a partner and the joint company history begins.

• 2007: The VOLCANO DIGIT expands the range with electronic temperature control.

• 2011: The PLENTY is released, a powerful, mains-operated handheld vaporizer.

• 2014: MIGHTY and CRAFTY bring proven technology into portable devices.

• 2019: The VOLCANO HYBRID and the updated CRAFTY+ are launched.

The original VOLCANO thus developed into a versatile product family. Further development affected operation as well as mobility, temperature control, and vapor cooling.

From founder-led company to Canopy Growth and the new CEO David Männer

In December 2018, the Canadian cannabis corporation Canopy Growth acquired the vaporizer manufacturer for a purchase price of up to approximately 145 million euros. With this, ownership changed, while the two founders initially remained involved in the company's management.

Markus Storz later withdrew from his previous role. The year 2020 is frequently cited for this, although the exact departure date cannot be clearly confirmed based on the publicly documented company history.

The most recent change in leadership, however, is clearly documented: Jürgen Bickel stepped down from his position as Managing Director at the end of March 2026. On April 1, 2026, David Männer took over as operational Managing Director.

At that time, Männer had already been working for Storz & Bickel for about 14 years and had previously worked as Deputy Managing Director. Canopy Growth remains the owner of the company, while David Männer is responsible for day-to-day operations.

Working at Storz & Bickel in Tuttlingen with exciting jobs and training opportunities

Behind the well-known vaporizers are employees from various technical and commercial fields. In particular, the production of electronic vaporizers requires expertise in electronics, manufacturing, and quality assurance.

These professional fields are part of the company environment

• Product development: Engineers and technicians work on heating systems, electronics, and new device concepts.

• Production: Specialists assemble components and check the functionality of the finished products.

• Quality assurance: This is where materials, production processes, and technical requirements are monitored.

• Warehouse logistics: This department organizes the movement of goods, vaporizer accessories and spare parts, and product distribution.

• Project management: For example, a project manager coordinates a development project from planning to practical implementation.

• Customer support: Support helps with questions regarding operation, maintenance, and the technical functioning of the devices.

Training in a technical or commercial profession can also generally provide an entry point into such a company. Which apprenticeships and jobs are actually available depends on current job advertisements.

If you want to get an impression of the working environment, you can look at pictures of the Storz & Bickel production in Tuttlingen. Public reviews can also be interesting. However, you should distinguish whether a review refers to the products, customer service, or the company as an employer. These experiences cannot be readily compared with one another.

From the VOLCANO to the VEAZY, you will find the right vaporizer at Storz & Bickel

The regular range comprises seven models, which differ particularly in their heating technology, power supply, and operation. Which stationary or portable vaporizer is suitable for you depends primarily on where and how you want to use it.

The current vaporizers in comparison

The VOLCANO CLASSIC works with convection. Hot air flows through the herb chamber and transports the released ingredients into a balloon. The VOLCANO HYBRID complements this principle with a tube for direct inhalation and electronic temperature control.

Among the mobile models, the MIGHTY+ is particularly interesting for users who value convenient operation directly on the device. The smaller CRAFTY+ offers similar technical fundamentals in a more compact housing.

The VENTY stands out due to its adjustable airflow and short heat-up time. The VEAZY, on the other hand, appeals to users who prefer a vaporizer that is as handy as possible with uncomplicated controls. You can't really call it a genuine pocket vaporizer, though; modern vaporizer technology simply requires a certain amount of space.

Older models like the MIGHTY, CRAFTY, and VOLCANO DIGIT also continue to play a role. If you own one of these devices, you should pay close attention to the model designation when ordering spare parts. This also applies to special editions and revised product versions.

Medical vaporizers and clever accessories for your Storz & Bickel devices

In addition to its regular products, the manufacturer offers vaporizers specifically intended for medical applications via the VAPORMED division. These include the VOLCANO MEDIC 2 and the MIGHTY+ MEDIC.

These models are intended for the controlled inhalation of certain cannabinoids, among other things. They differ from standard recreational devices in their intended medical purpose and regulatory requirements. The respective instructions for use and medical guidelines are authoritative in this regard.

Suitable accessories for the various device families

When buying spare parts, exact compatibility is crucial. Even cooling units or mouthpieces that look similar cannot necessarily be swapped between different models.

The vaporizer dosing capsules are particularly practical. You can use them to portion herbs before use and then insert the filled capsules directly later. This facilitates handling and reduces dirt in the filling chamber. Regular cleaning of screens, seals, and air paths remains important nonetheless.

At 157Grad you get Storz & Bickel vaporizers with accessories and personal advice

At 157Grad you will find a large selection of vaporizers from Storz & Bickel as well as matching original accessories and spare parts. This allows you to order your vaporizer together with the required components and you don't have to look for suitable accessories later.

Your checklist for the purchase

• Determine the location of use: For home use, desktop vaporizers like the VOLCANO offer different possibilities than a battery-operated model.

• Compare operation: Consider whether you prefer a display, a web app, or simple button control.

• Consider heat-up time: For spontaneous sessions, a device that heats up quickly is particularly practical.

• Check accessories: Pay attention to suitable cooling units, screens, and spare parts for your specific model.

• Plan for dosing capsules: If you like to portion herbs in advance, they can make your everyday life easier.

In addition to the original range, we offer compatible herb dosing capsules and the practical Capsule Caddy under our own brand Vapotools by 157Grad. These allow prepared capsules to be stored neatly and transported conveniently.

If you are unsure about your choice, we are here to provide you with expert advice. Thanks to our fast delivery, you will also receive your new vaporizer or necessary spare parts as promptly as possible.

Conclusion: Storz and Bickel from Tuttlingen offers you vaporizers for different needs

The story of Storz & Bickel shows how a technical idea could develop into an internationally established manufacturer. Despite the acquisition by Canopy Growth and the recent change in leadership, the brand remains closely tied to its Tuttlingen location.

When making your choice, you should primarily consider your usage habits. A VOLCANO is suited to different requirements than a compact VENTY or a powerful MIGHTY+. At 157Grad, you will find a suitable product selection, original accessories, as well as compatible Vapotools dosing capsules with Capsule Caddy. If you have any questions, we are happy to help you personally.