History

On June 29, 1880, a group of investors founded the "Email- und Metallwaren-Fabrik Zug", which produced enameled cookware and other metal goods. Soon, an impressive brick factory was built on Baarerstrasse, already employing 200 workers at the time. However, the business proved unprofitable and quickly ran into difficulties, leading the shareholders to decide on liquidation at the end of 1886. New investors were found, and on July 28, 1887, they established Metallwarenfabrik Zug AG using the remaining assets of the old company. This is the official founding date of the Metall Zug Group.

By 1893, the situation had stabilized, and the factory was continuously expanded. In 1912, the main building reached an impressive length of 168 meters and provided 500 jobs. It was popularly called "Metalli." Particularly lucrative was the production of enamel signs and the "Zuger Kanne" for milk transport. A pitcher with a "Z" for "Zug" eventually became the company's logo. A significant milestone for the company was the founding of Verzinkerei Zug AG in 1913, a factory specializing in contract galvanizing and the production of galvanized metal goods.

In 1915, Verzinkerei Zug AG launched the ZUGer Waschherd on the market, a wood-fired stove used for heating water for washing. It quickly became an indispensable part of households at that time. Over the years, the company continued to evolve and began producing its first washing machines in 1929.

In 1950, the company successfully launched its first automatic washing machine, "Unimatic," which was followed by the introduction of the first tumble dryer in 1959.

The introduction of the first automatic dishwasher, "Adora," took place in 1962.

Heinz Buhofer (senior), son-in-law of former Chairman Rubli, took over the overall management of the company in 1972. His declared goal was to realign the company and place the Metallwarenfabrik at the center. As part of this, various business units were discontinued, and investments were sold. The most important products of this period were electric stoves, with which the Metallwarenfabrik became the market leader in Switzerland.

A major step was taken in 1976 with the merger of the two companies into "Verzinkerei Zug AG mit Metallwarenfabrik." The production was gradually relocated from the Metalli site (Metallwarenfabrik's production) to the location of the Verzinkerei. By 1981, the integration process was completed, and Verzinkerei henceforth operated under the name V-ZUG AG, offering a wide range of household appliances, including the former Metall Zug electric stoves. As part of the 1976 merger, the metal goods factory transferred its production division to the Verzinkerei but retained ownership of the property, leading to the creation of the real-estate company MZ-Immobilien AG.

In 1979, V-ZUG AG became the first company to equip kitchen and laundry appliances with fully electronic controls.

After completing the production relocation in 1981, MZ-Immobilien AG took on the redevelopment of the 40,000 m² area of the former Metallwarenfabrik in the center of Zug in 1983 as the project developer. The goal was to create a comprehensive solution consisting of a combination of shops, services, offices, and residential space. After the development plan was approved and the entire factory inventory was sold, demolition of "Metalli" began on November 10, 1983, and construction started in the summer of 1984. Exactly 100 years after the founding of the Metallwarenfabrik, the first construction phase was opened in 1987, and the last phase was completed in 1994/95. Since then, the building complex and the shopping center have since been named "Metalli," just like the former factory.

In the 1990s, the group acquired several companies in Switzerland and abroad through V-ZUG AG, later merging them into the Belimed Group. These included Kleindienst-Belimed in Augsburg (Germany) in 1995, Avenatech, Inc. in Miami (USA) in 1996, Netzsch Belimed in Waldkraiburg (Germany) in 1997, and Belimed in Grosuplje (Slovenia). In 1999, the Swiss Sauter Group in Sulgen was acquired. In 2000, the Belimed Group was established as a unified market brand. The Belimed Group manufactured cleaning devices and sterilizers for medical applications, particularly for processing instruments in hospitals.

In 2005, the Belimed Group became an independent Business Unit Infection Control within the Metall Zug Group.

In 2007, the company acquired FCC Group AG and the operational business of Hildebrand AG, a manufacturer of washers for food producers, gastronomy, the pharmaceutical industry, and hospitals. After the acquisition both companies were integrated into Gehrig Group AG (Household Appliances Business Unit).

In 2008, the company acquired Schleuniger Group, a manufacturer of machines for wire processing, thereby creating the new Wire Processing Business Unit. Schleuniger itself later acquired PAWO Systems AG, Unterägeri (Switzerland), and in 2009, the company was renamed "Schleuniger Solutions AG."

With the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Suurstoffi" areal in Risch/Rotkreuz in June 2010, MZ-Immobilien AG launched one of the most significant development projects in the Canton of Zug, which continues to grow today.

Effective July 1, 2012, Metall Zug spun off its real estate Business Unit, MZ-Immobilien AG. The newly listed company since then operates under the name Zug Estates Holding AG and is based in Zug. The areas currently developed and managed by Zug Estates are primarily located in Zug city center (Metalli, Parkhotel, etc.) and in Risch/Rotkreuz (Suurstoffi areal).

In 2012, Schleuniger GmbH acquired 35% of DiIT AG, located in Krailing (Germany). DiIT is a global producer of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), which are used in the production of wire harnesses. The latter 65% were acquired in 2018.

As part of its long-term growth strategy, V-ZUG acquired the refrigeration business of AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding AG on March 1, 2013, thereby further expanding its production site in Switzerland.

Press release from 01.03.2013

In June, 2013, the Schleuniger Group acquired the assets of Tianjin Haofeng Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. The company, based in northeastern China, produces high-quality machines for wire processing and primarily supplies the Chinese automotive industry. As a result, Schleuniger Haofeng (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. was established, marking an important milestone in the target market of China.

In 2015, the company acquired Schybig Gastro-Service AG and Horeka AG—both companies operating in the trade of chemical products for the gastronomy sector (Household Appliances Business Unit)—as well as Cirris Solutions GmbH, Jettingen (Germany), a company specializing in wire harness testing (Wire Processing Business Unit).

In 2016, the Mistral building on Oberallmendstrasse in Zug was ready for move-in. Since then, Mistral serves as the production and assembly facility for V-ZUG and houses V-ZUG's research and development department. The building represents the first phase of the planned vertical factory of V-ZUG and the development of the Tech Cluster Zug.

Schleuniger Holding AG, Thun, acquired a minority stake of 20% in Laser Wire Solutions (L W Solutions Ltd.), Pontypridd (UK).

On May 16, 2017, shortly after his 90th birthday, Heinz Buhofer (senior) passed away after a brief illness.

In 2017, the 35% stake in DiIT AG was increased to 100%, and in January 2018, a majority stake of 60% in adaptronic Prüftechnik GmbH, a provider of solutions for testing wire harnesses, was acquired (both in the Wire Processing Business Unit). The remaining 40% in adaptronic were acquired in 2022.

Press release from 04.01.2018

Additionally, Sterifast Sterilization & Disinfection Systems Lda. was acquired (Infection Control Business Unit).

On March 1, 2018, Metall Zug acquired 70% of the shares in Haag-Streit Holding AG, based in Köniz. Haag-Streit develops, manufactures, and distributes high-quality products and services for diagnostics and surgery, primarily in the field of ophthalmology. Since then, Haag-Streit has formed the "Medical Devices" Business Unit. The remaining 30% of Haag-Streit Holding AG continues to be held by family shareholders (Haag brothers). At that time, the company comprised more than twenty corporations in Europe, America, and China.

Press release from 01.03.2018

Until 2019, all business in the areas of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization was conducted under Belimed AG. To better meet the different market requirements of the medical and pharmaceutical industries, a strategic realignment was decided. In this context, the pharmaceutical project business was separated from Belimed Infection Control. From that point on, Belimed Infection Control focused on hospitals (standard machines), while Belimed Life Science handled the pharmaceutical sector (project business).

Press release from 05.06.2018

On May 30, 2020, Haag-Streit acquired a 76.9% stake in VRmagic Holding AG, Mannheim (Germany). VRmagic specializes in virtual and augmented reality technologies used in the training of ophthalmologists. The company later became the "Simulation" segment within Haag-Streit. The remaining shares in VRmagic were acquired in 2021.

Press release from 17.04.2020

In 2019, Metall Zug announced its new strategy to transform into a holding company with investments in industrial companies with value-creation potential. In June 2020, the Household Appliances Business Unit, consisting of the V-ZUG Group and the SIBIR Group, was spun off and listed as an independent company on the SIX Swiss Exchange—a significant milestone in the planned transformation process. The spin-off was carried out through the distribution of a stock dividend. Metall Zug AG retains a 30% stake in the V-ZUG Group. Shares of V-ZUG Holding AG have been traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange since June 25, 2020.

In 2020, Cirris Inc. was founded in Salt Lake City (USA) and, on September 1, 2020, took over the operational business of Cirris Systems Corporation, also based in Salt Lake City (USA), which had previously been acquired by the Schleuniger Group. This acquisition expanded Schleuniger’s product offering in the testing sector.

Press release from 01.07.2020

Schleuniger Messtechnik GmbH, Sömmerda (Germany), was founded in 2021 and, as of July 30, 2021, took over the operational business and related assets of KMF Messtechnik und Verwaltungs GmbH, Sömmerda (Germany). KMF Messtechnik was previously a supplier for the Schleuniger Group in the field of quality control.

In November 2021, Haag-Streit acquired the remaining 23.1% minority stake in VRmagic Holding AG, Mannheim (Germany), which had previously been held by third parties.

Press release from 17.04.2020

Additionally, IPRO GmbH, Leonberg (Germany), a provider of software solutions for opticians, was sold.

In January 2022, Schleuniger GmbH, Radevormwald (Germany), acquired the remaining 40% minority stake in adaptronic Prüftechnik GmbH, Wertheim (Germany), a provider of test solutions in the wire processing sector.

To expand its portfolio in the field of consumables, Belimed Infection Control acquired Amity Ltd. (UK) in July 2022, a provider of chemical cleaning and disinfection products.

As another milestone in Metall Zug's transformation process, in August 2022, Metall Zug contributed its Wire Processing Business Unit (Schleuniger Group) to Komax Holding AG and, in return, received a 25% stake in Komax Holding AG. Through the combination between the Schleuniger Group with the Komax Group, both partners increased their competitiveness in the global wire processing market, setting the stage for long-term success.

Press release from 31.08.2022

In December 2022, the Medical Devices Business Unit sold Clement Clarke International Ltd., a manufacturer of inhalation devices for the pulmonology sector. This step reinforced the focus on the core business of ophthalmology.

As the third milestone in Metall Zug’s recent strategic journey, Metall Zug and Miele Professional founded the joint venture "SteelcoBelimed" in June 2024, with Metall Zug holding 33% and Miele 67%. Metall Zug contributed its Infection Control Business Unit and the Belimed Life Science Group, while Miele contributed its Steelco Group. SteelcoBelimed combines the strength, people, expertise, and resources of the merged companies, creating an innovative player in the hospital/infection control sector and the pharmaceutical/life science industry.

Press release from 10.06.2024