History

2024

• GF Uponor becomes GF Building Flow Solutions. The division – built on the acquisition of Uponor late last year as well as the building technology segment of GF Piping Systems – is committed to finding new ways to conserve, manage and provide water responsibly. More information.
• GF named one of Europe's Climate Leaders 2024. In the fourth edition of Europe’s Climate Leaders, compiled by the Financial Times and Statista, GF stands out among the leading companies taking significant action to mitigate climate change. More information.
  
• Commitment to net zero. In a significant step on the path to become a sustainability and innovation leader, GF announced its ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Within the next 24 months, GF will define net-zero targets in line with the 1.5-degree trajectory recommended in the Paris Agreement. More information .

2023

• Uponor acquisition. 2023 was marked by the acquisition of Uponor, the biggest acquisition in the history of the company. GF increased its resilience while facing geopolitical instability, inflationary trends as well as substantial currency headwinds. More information.
• Strong performance. Sales amounted to CHF 4.0 billion. Excluding Uponor, sales reached CHF 3.9 billion, 3.4% below 2022 on account of a currency impact of CHF 263 million. More information.
  
• GF secures “A” score for transparency and performance on climate change. For its 2023 submission to the global rating agency CDP, GF secured the highest possible “A” score for transparency and performance on climate change, after the company was awarded an “A–” for three consecutive years. More information.
  
• Walk for Water events hosted across GF locations worldwide. Thirteen GF locations in Switzerland, Germany, the US, Indonesia, the UK and China host GF Walk for Water events. Employees from around the world walk together with partners and customers to raise awareness and funds to help fight the global water crisis. The events raise a total of USD 525’000 which will be used by GF’s Clean Water Foundation to support humanitarian projects. More information.
  
• GF hosts first-ever Global Sustainability Conference. GF held its first Global Sustainability Conference in Zurich, bringing together 160 participants who play an important role in driving sustainability in the company. Among the topics discussed, also with external speakers, are decarbonization, circular economy, diversity and inclusion, and health and safety. More information.
  
• Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. For the first time in four years, the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting took place in person again at the IWC Arena in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) with 700 shareholders attending in person. GF shareholders approve all proposals. Michelle Wen and Monica de Virgiliis are elected to the Board of Directors. More information.
  
• Opening of new GF headquarters in Switzerland. GF inaugurated its new headquarters in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) with an event for some 80 guests from business and politics, as well as a party for employees. After 12 months of extensive renovation and energy efficient refurbishment, the new offices feature modern open workspaces and co-working areas, as well as new technology to foster collaboration. More information.

2022

• SBTi validates GF’s science-based targets. At the end of 2022, GF announced that the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) has validated its science-based targets to reduce the company's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions along its value chain. More information.
• Changes to the GF Board of Directors. GF announces that Monica de Virgiliis will be proposed as Board member at the GF Annual Shareholder's Meeting (ASM) on 19 April 2023. Jasmin Staiblin will leave the Board when her current term ends due to GF's 12-year limit on Board tenure. Riet Cadonau has decided for personal reasons not to stand for re-election at the 2023 ASM. More information.
  
• GF hosts Capital Markets Day, focus on sustainable innovations. At its 6th Capital Markets Day held in Schaffhausen (Switzerland), GF offered a deep dive into its most promising innovations across its three divisions, driven by the latest sustainability and digitalization trends. More information.
• GF to welcome top international industry executive to its Board of Directors. At the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in April 2023, the Board of Directors of GF proposed Ms. Michelle Wen for election as new board member. More information.
  
• GF acquires machine tool service company in Italy. GF Machining Solutions acquires 100% of Italy-based Vam Control S.r.l., a step further in line with its Strategy 2025 to strengthen its milling and automation capabilities and expand its service offering in Europe. More information.
  
• Annual Shareholders' Meeting approves all proposals. The 126th Annual Shareholders' Meeting of Georg Fischer AG – which took place without the personal attendance of shareholders – approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Ayano Senaha was elected as a new Member of the Board of Directors. More information.
  
• Strong growth and increased profitability – focus on sustainability-driven markets. In 2021, the first year of the new strategy cycle 2021–2025, GF delivered a strong result in terms of profit and sales growth. The strategic focus on promising resilient end markets, especially those that center on sustainability, has powered the company’s performance over the year, supporting GF’s business model. GF weathered the persisting macroeconomic uncertainties well, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the semiconductor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and increasing raw material prices.
  
  Order intake exceeds CHF 4 billion, up 28% year-over-year. Strong 17% sales increase to CHF 3'722 million (organically +16%). Operating result (EBIT) reached CHF 278 million, up 50% compared with EBIT before one-offs in 2020. The Strategy 2025 was successfully launched, focusing on sustainable end markets, such as water treatment, e-mobility and MedTech. More information.

2021

• CDP ranking. In December 2021, the London-based CDP rating agency awarded GF an A– rating (leadership level) for its efforts regarding climate change and water security. The management of environmental and climate impacts is anchored in GF’s Sustainability Framework 2025. In the 2021 CDP reporting cycle, GF implemented approximately 24 measures worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More information.
• EcoVadis reassessment. GF Piping Systems and GF Casting Solutions were reassessed by EcoVadis for their performance on criteria relating to the environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement in 2021. Both divisions achieved a silver medal, which places them among the top 25% of companies assessed by EcoVadis. More information.
  
• GF to welcome top international executive to the Board of Directors. Ayano Senaha (38), Japanese national, is the COO and a board member of Recruit Holdings, Tokyo (Japan), a pioneer in the digitalized job search business and the world leader in web matching services through its Indeed brand. She has held leadership positions in Japan, the UK and the US within Recruit, encompassing sales, R&D, Risk Management, HR, Finance as well as general management and currently chairs the Sustainability Committee of the group. More information.
• Strong performance – accelerating growth. In the first semester of 2021, GF's business continued to show a significant recovery, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As most of GF's key markets started to grow again, GF recorded strong sales at nearly the same level as prior to the pandemic, as well as a markedly increased profitability in all three divisions.
  
  Sales rose organically 20% to CHF 1'835 million, supported by strong global markets. Operating result (EBIT) increased 120% to CHF 141 million compared to previous year's EBIT before one-offs, resulting in a clearly improved EBIT margin of 7.7%. Strategy 2025 with focus on sustainability and innovation in full swing. Double-digit sales growth as well as a significant increase in profit expected for the year 2021. More information.
• Fifty years of innovation and Swiss quality from Seewis. GF Piping Systems, a division of GF, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its production site in Seewis (GR). With its innovations in high-tech plastic valves and actuators, the Grisons-based company has had a lasting impact on the plastic valve industry. More information.
• GF Annual Shareholder’s Meeting approves all proposals. The 125th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer AG approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the corresponding ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council, the meeting took place without the personal attendance of shareholders. More information.
  

2020

• GF expands footprint in South America. GF Piping Systems, a GF division, announces the acquisition of FGS Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda. (FGS), Cajamar (Brazil). As a leading manufacturer of polyethylene piping systems, FGS serves the local water and gas distribution market and other industrial segments. The acquisition will provide GF Piping Systems with a unique platform for further growth in Brazil and the South American region. More information.
• GF joins forces with Swiss Shrimp AG. GF and Swiss Shrimp AG have signed a multi-year partnership agreement. The startup from Rheinfelden is a pioneer in local and sustainable shrimp breeding in Switzerland. Among other things, GF will support Swiss Shrimp with its expertise and its technical know-how with regard to water treatment. More information.
• GF procures long-term funding. GF raised CHF 200 million on the Swiss debt capital market. The new bond has a term of 9.5 years and carries a coupon of 0.95%. More information.
  
• Solid performance in challenging times – building on new opportunities. Sales at CHF 1'528 million (–14.0% organically), mainly affected by pandemic lockdowns globally. Immediate measures ensured an operating result before one-offs of CHF 64 million (EBIT margin 4.2%). Strong liquidity and robust balance sheet maintained. Business in China already back to previous year’s level. Focus on digital innovations and new sustainable market segments. More information.
  
• GF releases its Sustainability Report 2019 – well on track to achieve 2020 targets. The GF Sustainability Report provides a detailed overview of GF’s progress toward achieving its Sustainability Targets 2020. More than every second GF product or solution supplied to the customers offers a social or environmental benefit. Sustainability is fully integrated in the GF Strategy 2020 as part of the company’s culture. With solutions for leakage- and bacteria-free water supply and significant water savings, innovative lightweight components for more sustainable mobility with lower emissions as well as high-precision machine tools to reduce the consumption of materials and energy, GF is improving the lives of people all over the world. More information.
  
• GF Annual Shareholders’ Meeting approves all proposals. The 124th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the corresponding ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council, the meeting took place without the personal attendance of shareholders. Yves Serra was elected as the new Chairman of the Board. More information.
  
• Covid-19 pandemic – GF business update. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, several customers of GF have reduced capacities or in some cases temporarily closed their facilities. Consequently, GF is adapting its own production capacity in Europe and introducing short-term work where applicable. Additionally, GF launched a comprehensive cost measure package in several regions. Strongly increased cash positions and a very solid balance sheet will allow GF to overcome these difficult times. More information.
• GF to enter strategic partnership with innovative British startup company. GF Piping Systems, a division of GF, has signed a partnership agreement with Oxford Flow Limited., based in Oxford (UK). Its innovative pressure-regulating valve allows utility companies to reduce water loss, a major problem around the globe. As part of the agreement, GF will acquire in two steps a 23% minority stake in the company. More information.
• Changes to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of GF. Andreas Koopmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Georg Fischer Ltd., will not stand for re-election at the next Annual Shareholders' Meeting on 15 April 2020. Roman Boutellier will step down as Board member reaching the official retirement age. The GF Board of Directors will propose Yves Serra for election as new Chairman and Peter Hackel as new Board member. In addition, the Board of Directors appointed Ivan Filisetti as new President of GF Machining Solutions and member of the Executive Committee of GF effective 1 July 2020. He will succeed Pascal Boillat, who will reach the retirement age in September. More information.

2019

• Over the last years, GF implemented various measures to improve sustainability. Thanks to these initiatives, emissions have been reduced and in particular, the CO₂ footprint was improved again. More information
• GF grew again double-digit in 2018 to reach CHF 4,572 million. Free of acquisitions, divestments and currency effects, growth amounted to 7%, well above the 2020 strategy objectives of 3-5% per annum. More information
• The GF Board of Directors nominated Mads Joergensen as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of the Executive Committee of GF, effective 18 April 2019. More information

2018

• The Board of Directors of Georg Fischer Ltd has appointed Andreas Müller (48) as CEO of the Corporation. He will at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting of 17 April 2019 take over from Yves Serra, who has reached the retirement age of 65. More information
• GF Casting Solutions will have a stronger focus on light metal casting whilst reducing its presence in iron casting in Europe. As a consequence, the iron casting plants located in Singen and Mettmann (Germany) have been divested to members of the management of GF Casting Solutions as of 1 December 2018. More information
• The Positive momentum at GF continued in the first half-year of 2018. Sales went up 20% compared to the same period of 2017. All three divisions contributed to the increase. More information
• The Sustainability Report of GF provides a detailed overview of the company’s broad range of sustainability activities and the progress made in 2017. GF is well on track to reach its 2020 targets. More information
• The headquarters of GF Piping Systems in Schaffhausen will be completely refurbished in the next few months. Not only will the building be fully renovated, but an annex with modern training and exhibition rooms will also be built. This is one of the largest investments made at the Schaffhausen site in GF’s recent history. More information
• At the 122nd Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on 18 April 2018, the shareholders of Georg Fischer Ltd approved all proposals of the Board of Directors.
• Georg Fischer Ltd raised today CHF 200 million on the Swiss capital market. The bond has a duration of 10 years and carries a coupon of 1.05%. More information
• GF grew substantially in all regions in 2017. The overall sales increased by 11% and is therewith well over the 2020 strategy objective. More information 
• GF Automotive is to purchase 100% of Precicast Industrial Holding SA, the swiss-based precision casting specialist. Upon closing, the division will be renamed GF Casting Solutions. More information

2017

• GF will be organizing a range of activities to celebrate 100 years of owning Klostergut Paradies in 2018. More information
• GF Linamar, a joint venture between GF Automotive and diversified manufacturing expert Linamar, celebrated the inauguration of its first production facility in Mills River (North Carolina, USA). More information
• GF Machining Solutions has agreed to purchase 100 percent of the shares of Symmedia GmbH, Bielefeld (Germany). The company has been specializing in software for machine connectivity solutions for the past 20 years. More information
• GF Linamar, a joint venture between GF Automotive and diversified manufacturing expert Linamar, has been awarded a large order from a US manufacturer to produce lightweight magnesium components. The value of the contract amounts to a total of around 300 million US dollars. More information
• GF Automotive announces the acquisition of Eucasting Ro SRL, a high pressure aluminum die casting specialist with two productions sites in Romania. The acquisition follows GF Automotive’s strategy to expand its presence in the growing light metal components business. More information
• Whilst continuing to invest for its future profitable growth, GF grew during the first half-year of 2017 by 7%. All divisions substantially increased sales, most of all GF Piping Systems. More information
• GF Piping Systems is to acquire a stake of 49% of Urecon Ltd., Coteau-du-Lac (Quebec, Canada), a specialist of pre-insulated piping systems for freeze protection and chilled water. More information
• As of 1 June 2017, GF extends maternity and paternity leave and supports flexible work models. More information
• The Swissloop team of ETH Zurich is building a transportation pod for the Hyperloop project put forward by Elon Musk. GF Automotive is supporting the team as main sponsor and developer of lightweight chassis parts. More information
• At the 121st Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd. held on 19 April 2017, the shareholders approved all proposals of the Board of Directors with one exception. More information
• GF Piping Systems will supply the fluid transport systems for the next cruise liners to be built by STX France. The five-year contract received from the leading shipyard amounts to more than EUR 40 million. More information
• 15 Years GF Clean Water Foundation: The Clean Water Foundation was founded by GF in 2002 to mark the company’s 200th anniversary. In the last 15 years, GF has invested more than CHF 10 million in the foundation. So far about 130 projects helped to improve access to clean drinking water for some 300,000 people around the globe. More information
• On 8 March 2017 the groundbreaking ceremony of the new innovation and production center of GF Machining Solutions, a division of GF, took place in Bözingenfeld in Biel (Switzerland). The modern facility will be completed by the end of 2018. More information
• GF has developed itself in 2016 fully in line with its strategic objectives 2016 –2020. Sales and profits increased anew and all three divisions generated value. More information

2016

• GF kept in the first semester of 2016 its positive momentum. Sales reached CHF 1 ,863 million, 3% above the first six months of 2015. More information
• GF Automotive has received a major global order for passenger cars’ structural parts from a well-known European car manufacturer. The contract amounts to EUR 84 million. The components will be simultaneously produced in Europe, China and the US as of 2018. More information
• The 121th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd will be held on 19 April 2017 at the IWC Arena in Schaffhausen. More information
• GF Machining Solutions has agreed to purchase 100 percent of the shares of Microlution Inc., Chicago (Illinois, US), a specialist of micro-machining based on milling and laser technologies. More information
• GF Piping Systems announces today the acquisition of PT Eurapipe Solutions Indonesia. It offers a unique platform for further growth in this important country. More information
• GF Machining Solutions has received a major order from a well-known US-based customer. The order consists of several high-end milling machines including automation and software for a total value of about USD 15 million as well as related training, support and services. More information
• Pietro Lori, current Head of GF Piping Systems, has decided to retire at the end of July 2016. The GF Board appointed Joost Geginat as new Head of GF Piping Systems effective 1 August 2016. More information
• GF raised CHF 225 million on the Swiss capital market. The bond has a term of 10 years and carries a coupon of 0.875 percent. More information
• GF announces that effective 1 January 2017, Andreas Müller will become Chief Financial Officer of GF. More information
• At the 120th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd held on 23 March 2016, the shareholders approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Riet Cadonau was elected as new member of the Board. More information
• Thanks to a strong second half-year, 2015 ended up better than it started, allowing GF to reach profitability levels not seen since 2006 and meet the 2011–2015 strategy targets published early 2011. More information
  
• GF Linamar LLC to build its US light metal die-casting plant in Henderson County (NC). More information
• GF Machining Solutions has received two major orders from well-known electronic device manufacturers. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is one of the key market segments of GF Machining Solutions. More information
• GF’s Chief Financial Officer Roland Abt (59) has been proposed for nomination as member of the Board of Swisscom AG. He has therefore decided to step down at the end of 2016. More information

2015

• Change on the Board of Directors of Georg Fischer Ltd: The Board of Directors will propose Riet Cadonau for election at the General Assembly of Shareholders on March 23, 2016 as a new member. More information
• GF sells real estate in Meyrin, Switzerland. More information
• GF and Caritas Switzerland act together to bring access to clean water. More information
• GF to lift working time increase at its Swiss facilities per year-end. More information
• GF Machining Solutions to build modern machine tool facility in Biel (Switzerland). More information
• First half-year figures were affected by the Swiss franc appreciation which shaved 7% off the top line. Adjusted for currency effects, acquisitions and divestments, sales were on previous year’s level. More information
• GF Automotive announces a 50/50 joint venture with the world leading machining specialist Linamar Corp., Guelph (Ontario, Canada). Together, GF and Linamar Corp. will invest in a new high pressure light metal die casting plant in the Southeast of the US. More information
• GF enters the industrial 3D printing business. GF Machining Solutions and EOS, Krailling (Germany), have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement. More information
• GF Piping Systems has received a substantial order totaling more than EUR 15 million from the leading shipbuilding company STX France. More information
• At the 119th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd held on 18 March 2015, the shareholders approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Eveline Saupper was elected as new member of the Board. More information
• GF Automotive is increasing its manufacturing footprint in China by 50%. The division completed end of 2014 the extension of its iron foundry in Kunshan for a capacity increase of 50%. It is also building its fourth light metal facility in Suzhou to add up 50% more capacity in this plant by the end of 2015. More information
• GF generated sales of CHF 3,795 million in 2014 for an increase of 1%. The operating profit (EBIT) rose 9% to CHF 274 million mainly thanks to significant productivity gains. More information

2014 - Partnership with leading mold maker Meco Eckel boosts competitiveness of light-metal offering at GF Automotive

• Liechti Engineering AG won a USD 30 million (approx. CHF 28 million) order from a well-known aircraft engine manufacturer. The order consists of a large number of milling machines as well as related services.
• GF Automotive, a division of GF, is strengthening its position as a premium supplier of light-metal die castings by entering into a strategic and financial partnership with leading mold maker Meco Eckel GmbH (Germany).
• GF Machining Solutions is to acquire Liechti Engineering AG, Langnau/BE (Switzerland). The company is the leading specialist of 5-axis milling machines designed to produce blades and blisks for aircraft engines and power generating turbines.
• The 118th Annual Shareholders' Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd took place on 19 March 2014 in Schaffhausen (Switzerland). The shareholders approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Hubert Achermann was elected as new member of the Board.
• GF Automotive, a division of Georg Fischer, divested its non-core gravity die-casting business in Herzogenburg (Austria) to the present managers in the framework of a management buyout. The transaction allowed GF Automotive to fully focus on its core iron sand casting and light metal high pressure die-casting activities.
• The Singen (Germany) plant of GF Automotive was equipped with the most modern iron castings molding line for the production of top-quality lightweight components for trucks. Construction started in 2014 year, and the new facility will go into operation at the end of 2015. The total investment in these two years amounts to EUR 55 million.
• On January 1, 2014, GF AgieCharmilles became GF Machining Solutions. The name change underscores Georg Fischer’s position as unified company with three divisions.

2013 - Important acquisition in Turkey

• Innovative solutions showcased at Georg Fischer’s 4th Technology Day. In 2012, the company invested CHF 100 million in research & development and more than 40 new patents were registered. GF AgieCharmilles presented itself for the first time under the new name GF Machining Solutions in line with the corporation’s new brand architecture.
• GF Automotive received a major order for over CHF 400 million from Audi. The light structural parts for the German car manufacturer will be produced by aluminum pressure die casting in Europe and China.
• The Board of Directors of Georg Fischer has decided to change the accounting standard from IFRS to Swiss GAAP FER starting with the 2013 accounts. This decision will ensure that the company continues to give a precise picture of its financial situation.
• Georg Fischer announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Hakan Plastik A.S. in Cerkezköy (Istanbul, Turkey). Hakan Plastik is the leading provider of plastic piping systems in the building technology and water infrastructure markets in Turkey, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
• GF AgieCharmilles has won a CHF 12 million order to supply a large number of electric discharge and high speed milling machines.
• GF Automotive received a major order for over CHF 380 million from a well-known European truck manufacturer. The serial production starts in the current quarter.
• Georg Fischer generated a turnover of CHF 3.6 billion in 2012, 3 percent above the 2011 figure. All three divisions both considerably increased their sales in Asia and the Americas and continued to generate value.
• At the 117th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd held on 20 March 2013, the shareholders voted in favor of all the proposals of the Board of Directors. Roman Boutellier, Zhiqiang Zhang and Roger Michaelis were re-elected to the Board for three years.

2012 - Clean Water Celebration

• GF AgieCharmilles received the biggest single order in its history from well-known Chinese manufacturer of components for electronic devices.
• Opportunities seized, challenges mastered, strategy implementation on track:  thanks to its global presence and leading market positions, Georg Fischer increased both top and bottom lines considerably despite headwinds.
• At the 116th Annual General Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd on 21 March 2012, the shareholders voted in favor of all the proposals of the Board of Directors. Isabelle Welton and Roger Michaelis were elected as new members of the Board. After many years of service, Board Chairman Martin Huber handed over his office to Andreas Koopmann.
• In the last ten years, Georg Fischer has completed almost 100 water supply projects in 50 countries on four continents. Thanks to the Clean Water Foundation, Georg Fischer has been able to help 200,000 people worldwide get access to clean drinking water and a better water supply over the long term. To date, Georg Fischer has invested more than CHF 7 million in Clean Water projects.
• Georg Fischer announced the acquisition of Independent Pipe Products Inc. (IPP), the leading US provider of large diameter pipes and fittings in Polyethylene (PE). The acquisition strengthens the leading position of GF Piping Systems in the growing North American water infrastructure market.
• The 2011 Sustainability Report gives a comprehensive overview of the performance of Georg Fischer and illustrates the achievements of its three Corporate Groups regarding sustainability.

2011 - Further steps in the US market

• Georg Fischer announced that it has agreed to acquire Harvel Plastics Inc., the US market leader for industrial plastic piping systems.
• Georg Fischer and the US-based metal components supplier Grede Holdings LLC have signed a license and partnership agreement by which Georg Fischer grants Grede a license to use the successful SiboDur® alloy in the US.
• Georg Fischer is rated among the top companies in sustainability ranking of business magazine "Bilanz".
• Georg Fischer continues to expand at a fast pace in the Chinese market. The company is this week inaugurating two new plants, bringing its total to 14 production companies in the country.
• Georg Fischer inaugurates its new logistic warehouse. It is investing CHF 5.2 million in construction work at its Schaffhausen location.
• At the 115th Annual General Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd on 23 March 2011, the shareholders voted in favor of the proposals of the Board of Directors.
• Strong rebound: Georg Fischer emerged stronger from the economic downturn and capitalized in 2010 on the worldwide economic recovery.

2010 - Award winning technologies

• GF Piping Systems divests Central Plastics Tianjin Ltd. The non-strategic asset with a turnover of about 4 million US-Dollars will be taken over by the current management
• GF AgieCharmilles has concentrated its manufacturing of electric discharge machines (EDM) in Losone (Ticino). The former production building in Meyrin (Geneva) has now been sold to Westcore Europe.
• The Gold SolVin Award 2010 goes to GF Piping Systems. The Corporate Group received this international innovation prize for its newly developed piping system made of translucent plastic which is in the field of environmentally friendly algae bioreactors.
• Georg Fischer has maintained the fast pace of innovation in recent years despite the economic slump. The Corporation took advantage of unavoidable structural adjustments to align its research and development work more closely to its new markets.
• Swiss President Doris Leuthard inaugurates the tenth production plant of GF Piping Systems in Beijing.
• Because of the worst downturn in 70 years Georg Fischer announced a restructuring programme in 2009, that has been successfully completed in 2010.
• The Clean Water Foundation of Georg Fischer donated 50,000 dollars in emergency aid for the flood victims in Pakistan.
• GF AgieCharmilles earns MWP Award. The prize-winning machine is equipped with an iQ-technology, that is equally energy-efficient as it is environmentally friendly, which significantly reduces electrode wear.
• The GF Automotive foundries in Singen won the 2010 Master Energy Award for their innovative and environmental energy management.

2009 - Succesful against the crisis

• GF Piping Systems inaugurated its new production facility in Ratnagiri, India.
• Austrian Economics Minister gives "Coat of Arms" prize for exemplary training of apprentices to the GF Piping Systems fittings foundry in Traisen.
• Important step in the Georg Fischer structural programme: With global demand for machine tools continuing to slump by over 50 percent, there is no let-up in the impact on the business of GF AgieCharmilles.
• GF Piping Systems merged its Swiss building technology operations in a single company.
• Georg Fischer battles the crisis and braces itself for the future: It has been heavily affected by the present economic crisis. In addition to the measures already taken GF has therefore launched a broad-based structural programme in order to effectively cut the Corporation's total costs.
• On May 15, the new Kunshan iron foundry in China started up its regular production.
• Recession hits Georg Fischer - measures taken. At Georg Fischer, negative currency effects, volatile raw material prices and the slump in the fourth quarter caused both growth and earnings to decline sharply in the past business year
• GF AgieCharmilles responds to changed economic conditions: Focusing production sites. Rightsizing. Job cuts.

2008 - Strong growth in sales

• Reorganization at GF AgieCharmilles: Three distinct Technology Units – Wire-cutting, Die-sinking and Milling – were created and allocated to the various GF sites in Switzerland.
• Georg Fischer responds to changed economic conditions: The international financial crisis and the worldwide economic slowdown have had a major impact on the automotive industry and on the machine tool sector.
• GF Piping Systems invests in Schaffhausen. Extension of the distribution center and capacity expansion in the production plant for plastic products.
• Georg Fischer AG & Co in Singen sells all the shares in Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH, Singen (Germany) to the SAF-Holland S.A. (Luxemburg).
• GF strengthens its position in building technology. GF to acquire JRG Gunzenhausen AG, a leading Swiss manufacturer of domestic and heating-water supply systems.
• Georg Fischer goes ahead in Canada: Acquisition of Alfa Plastics Inc., Toronto.
• In 2007, Georg Fischer reported sales of CHF 4.50 billion. This marks a strong growth with an 11 percent increase. Profit is at prior-year-level.
• GF to acquire Central Plastics, the North American market leader in supplying piping systems to gas and water utilities.

2007 - Further expansion in China

• GF AgieCharmilles founded a company for the worldwide replacement, parts and service business and centralized its installed base business for the brands Agie, Charmilles and Mikron at the logistics hub in Geneva.
• GF Piping Systems opened a sales company in Mexico.
• The sales companies of the Agie, Charmilles and Mikron brand domiciled in Switzerland were merged into Agie Charmilles Sales Ltd, Losone. In mid-year the sales companies in Germany were also merged.
• Good figures for the 2006 business year: for the first time sales topped 4 billion Swiss francs (CHF 4.05 billion).EBIT reached CHF 327 million, corresponding to an EBIT margin of 8.1%
• Georg Fischer announced it would build an iron foundry in China. The investment for the plant in Kunshan is expected to come to around CHF 50 million. The plant is to be commissioned in spring 2009.
• GF Automotive was awarded the "Volkswagen Group Award 2007" as one of the 25 best Volkswagen suppliers.
• The Industry/Utilities segment of GF Piping Systems was restructured. A Technology Centre for the development of materials and jointing and production technology was established.

2006 - Corporate Headquarters in China

• The CEO's delegate in China represents the Corporation's interests in finance, legal and human resources issues.
• Georg Fischer sold its remaining shares in Coperion to West Private Equity. The sale marked the end of Georg Fischer's plant engineering activities.
• GF AgieCharmilles announced that it would concentrate its manufacturing activities in Switzerland. Mikron set up a new production site for high-speed milling machines in Schaffhausen. Meanwhile, the manufacture of EDMs in Switzerland was concentrated at the plants in Losone and Meyrin. The mechanical manufacturing activities of Charmilles Technologies Maschinenbau AG, Schaffhausen, were sold as of mid-2006 to the Winterthur (Switzerland)-based engineering company Rieter AG.
• The first Sustainability Report was published, summarizing Georg Fischer's commitments to the environment, its employees and society in general.

2005 - Light metal foundry in China

• GF Automotive opened a die casting foundry in the Suzhou Industrial Park (China), around 100 km west of Shanghai.
  GF Piping Systems opened a new training center in Schaffhausen. GF Automotive announced the closure of the die-casting foundry in Munich. Production will be relocated to existing die-casting foundries in Germany and Austria.

2004 - Strong brand

• The Corporation launched a revamped brand policy and an attractive new corporate design. The emphasis was on strengthening the GF trademark. Meanwhile, the motto "Adding Quality to People's Lives" – applied to the three specific areas of mobility, comfort and precision – became part of corporate communications. At the same time, the three Corporate Groups were given the names: GF Automotive (formerly Automotive Products), GF Piping Systems (formerly Piping Systems) and GF Machine Tools (today GF AgieCharmilles).
• As part of the "EDM Futura" project, GF AgieCharmilles presented the first die-sinking EDM based on the new platform for electric discharge machines.
• Georg Fischer won an award from the International Chamber of Commerce ICC for its bicentenary foundation's Clean Water project.
• First Sustainability Report as part of the Annual Report. 

2003 - Structural programme

• Georg Fischer launched a comprehensive structural programme to increase its earnings power and reduce net debt. The three Corporate Groups were streamlined, involving a reduction in the number of production sites in Europe and the disposal of activities and shareholdings which were not part of the core business. The programme resulted in the loss of around 1,000 jobs. The structural programme resulted in the divestment of the foundries in Bedford (UK), Bitterfeld (Germany), Apc (Hungary) and Lincoln (UK) and the closure of the plants producing plastic products in Genua (Italy) and Huntingdon (UK). The service companies at the Schaffhausen site that had been spun off in 1994 were also sold.

2002 - 200th anniversary celebrations

• Georg Fischer celebrated its bicentenary with a series of local festivities around the world. At the Corporation's headquarters in Schaffhausen (Switzerland), the highlights were an exhibition on the history of Georg Fischer and the bicentenary gala in the former steel foundry.
• The shareholders of Georg Fischer AG waived their bicentenary dividend, opting instead to create a bicentenary foundation, "Community Benefit". This kicked off the highly praised "Clean Water" project, with which GF aims to help bring clean drinking water to people all over the world.
• GF AgieCharmilles purchased Step Tec AG in Luterbach (Switzerland), which develops and manufactures motor spindles for machine tools.
• GF Piping Systems announced the foundation of a production joint venture with Simona AG in Kirn (Germany) to manufacture pipes and mould parts from fluorine plastics. 

2001 - System 3R

• GF AgieCharmilles took over System 3R in Stockholm (Sweden). System 3R is a leading global provider of tooling and automation systems.
• GF Automotive received its biggest-ever single order, worth 470 million Swiss francs, from Peugeot/Citroen.

2000 - Change

• The year 2000 saw the publication of the Georg Fischer Corporation's first environmental report.
• Coperion Holding GmbH, headquartered in Konstanz (Germany), was created from the merger of the two Georg Fischer companies Buss and Waeschle with the Stuttgart-based Krupp Werner & Pfleiderer. The newly formed company is the market and technological leader in plastics processing.
• GF Piping Systems acquired the Sydney (Australia)-based Industrial Pipe Systems Company (IPS), which was active in the gas and water supply segments in Australia and China. As part of the deal, Georg Fischer also acquired from IPS a 50% stake in Chinaust, a 50:50 joint venture set up in 1987 with the Chinese Lingyun Group.
• GF AgieCharmilles acquired the high-speed milling (HSM) division of the Mikron Technology Group of Nidau (Switzerland). This move reinforced its leading position in the tool and mould-making sector.
• Georg Fischer exited the foundry plant engineering business and sold its stake to DISA. 

1999 - Growth II

• GF Automotive quadrupled its light metal (aluminum and magnesium) casting capacity with the acquisition of the German companies mb-Guss (Friedrichshafen) and the Mössner Group (Munich).

1998 - First environmental management system

• The Singen and Leipzig foundries, both in Germany, were awarded the coveted environmental prize from the CIATF (Comité international des associations techniques de fonderie). Alongside the foundries in Mettmann (Germany), Lincoln (England) and Herzogenburg (Austria), Singen and Leipzig are among the first ten foundries worldwide to introduce a certified environmental management system.
• The two joint ventures set up by Agie (1991) and Charmilles (1995) to manufacture EDM machines in China resulted in the foundation of the Beijing-based Agie Charmilles Industrial Electronics Ltd. In 1999 the company began to produce low-cost entry-level EDM machinery under the new Actspark name. The plant was awarded ISO 14001 environmental accreditation in 2001.

1996 - Growth I

• Georg Fischer acquired a majority stake in the Losone (Switzerland)-based listed manufacturer of electric discharge machines (EDM) Agie SA, founded in 1954. The two well-known brands of market leaders AGIE and Charmilles Technologies were retained and combined with all the other companies in what was then the Manufacturing Technology Corporate Group (now GF AgieCharmilles) under the common umbrella of Agie Charmilles Holding AG, a listed company headquartered in Zug.

1995 - New location in Leipzig

• Georg Fischer bought the Leipzig (Germany) foundry Schubert & Salzer Eisenguss GmbH, a manufacturer of components for heavy goods vehicles and construction plant. The Corporation's Environmental Management System was launched and developed.

1992 - Sustainability

• With the signing of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Charter, Georg Fischer committed itself to sustainability.

1991 - Mühlental

• After 114 years of steel casting, Georg Fischer announced the closure of the long-established steel foundry in Schaffhausen. The last day of operation was 1 November 1991.

1990 - Focus

• Georg Fischer AG was restructured into a holding company, and the industrial operations at headquarters were made legally autonomous. Hand in hand with the strategic focus on the core activities of automotive products (now GF Automotive), piping systems (now GF Piping Systems), manufacturing technology (now GF AgieCharmilles) and plant engineering (subsequently Coperion) went the sale or spin-off of many of the Corporation's traditional second-string operations such as electrical fittings, wear parts, rail traffic engineering, and locking systems.

1989 - Divestment

• The once-prestigious lathe business was sold.

1987-1991 - Structural project

• Under the auspices of the CHF 250 million Schaffhausen-Singen structural project, foundry operations were centralized in Singen (Germany), while plastic piping systems were concentrated at Schaffhausen (Switzerland). At the same time, the Corporation's properties were systematically refurbished, assigned new uses or sold. GF Piping Systems, the distribution center, plastic products plant and a modern testing laboratory were all set up in Schaffhausen.

1983 - Charmilles Technologies

• Georg Fischer acquired 51% of the shares of the electric discharge machining division of Ateliers des Charmilles in Geneva (Switzerland). The operation was renamed Charmilles Technologies SA, and the remaining shares were acquired by Georg Fischer in 1988.

1982 - Georg Fischer Plant Engineering

• After thirteen eventful years, the Rüti engineering works' power loom business was sold to Sulzer. The Buss Group, the precursor of Georg Fischer Plant Engineering (later known as Coperion) was made up of Buss, Waeschle and other companies since divested that were active in the areas of logistics systems (OWL), centrifuges (Heine) and food (Mator).
  

1981 - Corporate Policy

• The Georg Fischer Corporation set out its Corporate Policy.

1979 - Expansion

• The Arabian Plastic Manufacturing Company APLACO, set up by Georg Fischer, opened in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). In the same year, Georg Fischer also acquired Buss AG in Basel, Switzerland, which specializes in chemical process technology and mixing and kneading technology. Georg Fischer also embarked upon the stage-by-stage acquisition of an iron foundry in Lincoln (England) which belonged to Ley's Foundries & Engineering Ltd.

1976 - Foundation of Georg Fischer Inc., Tustin

• Georg Fischer Inc. was established in Tustin, California (USA) as the North, Central and South American sales company for the entire piping systems range.

1974 - A journey to paradise

• Georg Fischer opened its training center in the former Clarissan convent Paradies near Schaffhausen.

1972 - Waeschle joins the Corporation

• Georg Fischer acquired the Ravensburg (Germany)-based company Waeschle, the global market leader in handling systems for powders and granulates.
  

1971 - Seewis plant starts production

• The magnesium converter process, developed by Anton Alt (1936 - 1994), was patented in 1971. The same year saw the inauguration of the plant for plastic fittings in Seewis, Switzerland.

1970 - Record sales

• Consolidated sales exceeded CHF 1 billion for the first time.

1968 - Last kitchenware leaves plant

• Manufacture of enamelled Georg Fischer kitchenware and cast iron cooking pots ceased.

1966 - Start of production in Huntingdon

• In 1966 a new production plant, George Fischer Plastics Ltd, takes up operation in Huntingdon (England).

1964 - GF global

• Georg Fischer generated more than half of its sales outside Switzerland for the first time.

1963 - PVC adhesive Tangit

• Working at Georg Fischer, Rudolf Merz developed the PVC adhesive Tangit, which has been made by Henkel since 1964.

1957 - Start of production of plastic piping systems

• After four years of research, the first production site for PVC and PE fittings went on stream in Singen (Germany).

1952 - 150th anniversary

• Georg Fischer held an enormous gala on the Herrenacker in Schaffhausen to celebrate its first 150 years in business and in the same year successfully began to develop and manufacture fully automatic casting and molding systems using the Bührer system.

1948 - Establishment of the Eisenbibliothek Foundation

• Georg Fischer founded the Eisenbibliothek iron library as a foundation of Georg Fischer AG. The library was opened in the restored west wing of the Paradies estate on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Georg Fischer in 1952.

1947 - New name

• The company shortened its name to "Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft".

1944 - Recreation home II

• The Collinetta recreation and holiday home was established for company employees in Ascona in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland.

1941 - Recreation home I

• A recreation home for company employees was established in Mogelsberg, in Switzerland's Toggenburg region.

1939-1945 - Second World War

• With its plants in Switzerland, Germany and England, Georg Fischer encountered enormous challenges during the Second World War. The historian Hans Ulrich Wipf produced a study of the period in 2001.

1936 - Marketing of Trilex wheel system

• After an extensive development phase, the TRILEX wheel system for goods vehicles was launched on the market.

1935 - Development of an accident prevention service

• This year saw the establishment of an accident prevention service in order to minimize hazards in production, install protective equipment and educate the workforce.

1933 - Acquisition of Britannia Iron and Steel Works Ltd.

• Georg Fischer bought "Britannia Iron and Steel Works Ltd." of Bedford (England) and began to produce malleable cast iron fittings in Britain.

1927 - Ernst Homberger Foundation initiated

• The Ernst Homberger Foundation was established with the goal of providing an apprenticeship program for the sons and daughters of company employees.

1926 - Production of textile machinery started

• The production of machinery for weaving loom automation (1926), and the start of mass lathe production (1938) marked the beginnings of GF AgieCharmilles.

1925 - Establishment of a company welfare office

• A company welfare office was established in order to assist all employees in their professional and private problems and concerns.

1921 - Rauschenbach: GF's involvement in mechanical engineering

• With the acquisition of a majority stake in the "Maschinenfabrik Rauschenbach AG" engineering works in Schaffhausen, Georg Fischer entered the engineering and grey cast iron sectors.

1919 - Founding of Eisenbergwerk Gonzen AG

• The Gonzen AG iron ore mine was founded, in which Georg Fischer AG was a part owner. Although mining of iron ore ceased in 1996, Georg Fischer still has a commitment to this industrial monument.

1918 - Acquisition of Klostergut Paradies

• To ensure access to food supplies for its own staff, in 1918 Georg Fischer bought two farm estates, including the one belonging to the former Clarissan convent Paradies at Schlatt, near Schaffhausen, which had been closed in 1836. The apprenticeship program was institutionalized through the founding of the Corporation's own works school.

1906-1912 - Construction of the first company-owned accommodation

• The first company-owned residential colony was built in the 'Hintere Breite' neighbourhood of Schaffhausen.

1903 - Trademark officially registered

• The new GF trademark, with its characteristic crosses representing stylized fittings, was officially registered.

1902 - Ernst Homberger takes the helm

• Ernst Homberger (1869 - 1955) took over management of the company that he was to shape for the next 50 years. His appointment completed Georg Fischer's transition from a family firm to a commercially run enterprise.

1898 - Old-age pension for employees

• Georg Fischer II created the company's old-age pension. At the time, it credited every employee that had worked for the company for more than five years a sum of money from profits to be accumulated every year on a company savings book. Georg Fischer II supported the creation of a worker's committee whose task was to strengthen relations between management and the workers.

1896 - Conversion into a joint-stock company

• The growing need for capital prompted Georg Fischer III to convert the private company into the "Aktiengesellschaft der Eisen- und Stahlwerke von Georg Fischer" ("joint stock company of the iron and steelworks of Georg Fischer").

1895 - Plant opened in Singen

• Georg Fischer III (1864 - 1925) started up a fittings factory in the German town of Singen in 1895. The factory was operated as a branch of the main works in nearby Schaffhausen. At the same time, the first company-owned residential colony was built in Singen.

1888 - Steel casting

• Cast steel is produced for the first time in Switzerland.

1880 - Canteen

• In the Mühlental Valley (Switzerland) the first company canteen is established. This was an early sign of the founding family's sense of responsibility for its employees.
• Start of production of the Rauschenbach wood-working machines.

1877 - Industrial production

• In 1877, Georg Fischer II started the industrial-scale production of cast steel – a process invented by Johann Conrad Fischer in 1845.

1876 - Accident insurance for employees

• Georg Fischer I concluded a private accident insurance contract for his employees.
  

1868 - Construction of the first accommodation for employees

• Construction of the first living quarters for employees and purchase of several other residential buildings. This was the starting point for the company’s generous policy regarding employee accommodation.

1867 - Foundation of sickness fund for employees

• Georg Fischer I founded a sickness fund for his employees. In 1897 the Fund joined the "Association of Swiss Sickness Funds". In 1907, at the initiative of the then Managing Director, Ernst Homberger, the Family Insurance Plan was created. The national regulations governing health insurance plans came into effect in 1914.

1865 - Early marketing

• The first fittings brochure, containing 91 different items for the gas lighting sector, was published in this year.

1864 - Start of production of malleable cast iron fittings

• Georg Fischer II (1834 - 1887), son of Georg Fischer I and grandson of Johann Conrad Fischer, acquired the Schaffhausen works. In 1864, he was the first in Europe to begin the commercial manufacture of malleable cast iron fittings (cast pipe connectors).

1854 - Death of the founder

• Johann Conrad Fischer, the founder of the company, died in this year. His son, Georg Fischer I, inherited the factories in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) and passed them on to his 23-year-old son Georg Fischer II. In 1856 the grandson took over management of the company and reorganized the factories.

1845 - Licensing out

• Johann Conrad Fischer developed cast steel moulds and licensed them out.
• In the same year the company founder moulded castings from steel for the first time.

1833 - Expansion II

• The Traisen steelworks was also founded in Austria. Berthold Fischer (1807 - 1879), took over management of the Traisen works.

1827 - Expansion I

• Johann Conrad Fischer and his son Georg Fischer I (1804 - 1888) establish the steel mill Hainfed in Austria, where Johann Conrad Fischer patented all of his inventions.

1814 - State guest: Czar Alexander I of Russia

• Johann Conrad Fischer's excellent reputation prompted the Russian Czar, Alexander I (1777 - 1825) to visit the Schaffhausen metallurgist's works on a trip to Switzerland.

1805 - First cast steel

• Johann Conrad Fischer was probably the first person in continental Europe to manufacture cast steel successfully in crucibles. The quality of the ensuring product was on a par with that of "Huntsman steel" in England.
  

1802 - Laying the foundations in Schaffhausen

• On 3 June 1802, the 29 year old Johann Conrad Fischer (1773 - 1854) bought a water-driven mill in the Mühlental valley near Schaffhausen (Switzerland). He used the mill as a copper smelting plant and works for developing new alloys.