Company history
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![Hydrel AG was founded in a disused textile company by Mr. Karl Bertsch, pastry manufacturer of Romanshorn, Mr. Paul Truninger, engineer, of Solothurn and Dr. Fritz Egger, attorney and member of the governor counsel. Dr. Egger was the 1st President of the Board.]()
1947
Hydrel AG was founded in a disused textile company by Mr. Karl Bertsch, pastry manufacturer of Romanshorn, Mr. Paul Truninger, engineer, of Solothurn and Dr. Fritz Egger, attorney and member of the governor counsel. Dr. Egger was the 1st President of the Board.
![The first activity of the engineering company was re-fitting of planing and knife-machines from mechanical to electro hydraulic drives. Thus the name HYDR - EL.]()
1947
The first activity of the engineering company was re-fitting of planing and knife-machines from mechanical to electro hydraulic drives. Thus the name HYDR - EL.
![Manufacture and distribution of cup needle roller bearings (with closed end).]()
1947 - 76
Manufacture and distribution of cup needle roller bearings (with closed end).
![Conclusion of the exclusive distributor agreement for INA needle bearings for Switzerland.]()
1952
Conclusion of the exclusive distributor agreement for INA needle bearings for Switzerland. Dr. Wilhelm Schaeffler and Mr. Max Tschudin first met in the anteroom of the buyer of Brown Boveri Co. in Baden/Switzerland, Mr. Tschudin as representative for cup needle roller bearings and Mr. Schaeffler with cage guided needle bearings.
![Start-up of the fine blanking division (as subcontractor for fine blanked parts) with hydraulic presses that have been produced in the own engineering plant.]()
1956
Start-up of the fine blanking division (as subcontractor for fine blanked parts) with hydraulic presses that have been produced in the own engineering plant.
![Manufacture and distribution of flat cage guidance systems made of metal.]()
1960
Manufacture and distribution of flat cage guidance systems made of metal.
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![Start of manufacture of HYDREL fine blanking presses in larger series for worldwide distribution in USA, Asia, but also Europe.]()
1962
Start of manufacture of HYDREL fine blanking presses in larger series for worldwide distribution in USA, Asia, but also Europe.
![Design and distribution of HYDREL Linear guidance systems and EGIS guidance rails.]()
1964
Design and distribution of HYDREL Linear guidance systems and EGIS guidance rails.
![Start of own manufacture of Linear guidance systems.]()
1970
Start of own manufacture of Linear guidance systems.
![Beginning of distribution of NTN ball bearings and box bearings.]()
1974
Beginning of distribution of NTN ball bearings and box bearings.
![Hydrel was the first company in Europe that ordered a dialogue computer system (real time processing) of this size from Digital Equipment Corp., Maynard/USA and thus was regarded as pioneer.]()
1975/76
Hydrel was the first company in Europe that ordered a dialogue computer system (real time processing) of this size from Digital Equipment Corp., Maynard/USA and thus was regarded as pioneer.
![INA-Schaeffler KG holds 50 % of HYDREL shares.]()
1979
INA-Schaeffler KG holds 50 % of HYDREL shares.
![Completion of extension of Plant 1 (lake shore plant) whereas the high rack warehouse and the assembly hall had been already inaugurated in 1979.]()
1983
Completion of extension of Plant 1 (lake shore plant) whereas the high rack warehouse and the assembly hall had been already inaugurated in 1979.
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![Plant II at Industry Park]()
1991
Plant II at Industry Park "Hof" Romanshorn starts operation with Linear and Fine blanking parts.
![Certified Quality Management System acc. to ISO 9001.]()
1994
Certified Quality Management System acc. to ISO 9001.
![Acquisition of Heinrich Schmid Machines, Tools and Dies Ltd., Rapperswil (fine blanking press manufacturer) including fine blanking shop.]()
1997
Acquisition of Heinrich Schmid Machines, Tools and Dies Ltd., Rapperswil (fine blanking press manufacturer) including fine blanking shop.
![Certified Quality Management System acc. to QS 9000 / VDA 6.1.]()
1998
Certified Quality Management System acc. to QS 9000 / VDA 6.1.
![Passing of Dr. R.B. Bertsch, managing director since 1974 and Co-owner of Hydrel AG (on the left hand side of the picture, on the occasion of a firm's party).]()
1998
Passing of Dr. R.B. Bertsch, managing director since 1974 and Co-owner of Hydrel AG (on the left hand side of the picture, on the occasion of a firm's party).
![Sale of the Press building division.]()
1999
Sale of the Press building division.
![INA-Schaeffler KG takes over the other 50% of Hydrel shares from the Bertsch family. In consequence, Hydrel becomes a 100% daughter company of INA-Schaeffler KG, Herzogenaurach/D.]()
2000
INA-Schaeffler KG takes over the other 50% of Hydrel shares from the Bertsch family. In consequence, Hydrel becomes a 100% daughter company of INA-Schaeffler KG, Herzogenaurach/D.
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![Large investments in infrastructure and machine park of fine blanking site in Romanshorn in order to increase the blanking capacity in the high tonnage segment on one hand. On the other hand was the plant layout optimized.]()
2001
Large investments in infrastructure and machine park of fine blanking site in Romanshorn in order to increase the blanking capacity in the high tonnage segment on one hand. On the other hand was the plant layout optimized.
![Certified Environment Management System acc. to ISO 14003 and Emas standards.]()
2002
Certified Environment Management System acc. to ISO 14003 and Emas standards.
![Creation of the Product Line Fineblanking with production sites in Haguenau (Schaeffler France, Division Découpage fin) and Romanshorn (Hydrel). Lead plant is Hydrel Romanshorn.]()
2002
Creation of the Product Line Fineblanking with production sites in Haguenau (Schaeffler France, Division Découpage fin) and Romanshorn (Hydrel). Lead plant is Hydrel Romanshorn.
![Certified Quality Management System acc. to ISO/TS 16949.]()
2003
Certified Quality Management System acc. to ISO/TS 16949.
![Relocation of the HYDREL-Linear guidance production within the Schaeffler Group.]()
2004
Relocation of the HYDREL-Linear guidance production within the Schaeffler Group.
![The hydraulic and pneumatic departments become an independant company through a management buy out (MBO). The name of the new company is Girmatic AG.]()
2006
The hydraulic and pneumatic departments become an independant company through a management buy out (MBO). The name of the new company is Girmatic AG.
![Integration of FAG products and services]()
2006
Integration of FAG products and services
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![Certification as Schaeffler Technology Center (STC Romanshorn) The STC certificate is the guarantee for first-class solvency.]()
2012
Certification as Schaeffler Technology Center (STC Romanshorn)
The STC certificate is the guarantee for first-class solvency.
![Implementation of SAP]()
2012
Implementation of SAP
![Change of the Company’s name in Schaeffler Schweiz GmbH]()
2016
Change of the Company’s name in Schaeffler Schweiz GmbH
![Hydrel-fine blanking-activities sold to Güntensperger Group]()
2017
Hydrel-fine blanking-activities sold to Güntensperger Group
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2019
Schaeffler Switzerland LLC
New location: Sternenstrasse 2 in 8590 Romanshorn
