HISTORY
Find out about the development and history of the AFFOLTER Group since it was founded
OUR HISTORY IN BRIEF
A great year for AFFOLTER!
Louis Affolter founded his company in 1919,
4 generations later, Affolter has the pleasure of celebrating 100 years of industrial and family history in the Bernese Jura.
Louis Affolter, born 1880, grew up and attended school in Malleray (Bernese Jura). He learned the trade of pivot-maker, which he practised on a self-employed basis, before being employed by “Record Dreadnought Watch Co. SA” in Tramelan and then taking up the position of head of manufacturing at “La Champagne Louis Müller & Cie”, a watchmaking factory in Bienne. In 1919, he left his post and set up on his own in Renan. The business is duly listed in the commercial register in 1927 under the entry “Louis Affolter, fabrique de pignons et pivotage en tous genres” (Louis Affolter, manufacturer of all kinds of pinions and pivots).
Louis Affolter had three sons named André, René, and Marc, all of whom joined the family business. In 1985, the baton was passed on to the third generation in the form of Marc’s three sons, namely Marc-Alain, Jean-Claude, and Michel. Today, the Group is managed by Marc-Alain’s sons Vincent and Grégory with the help of Nicolas Curty. Several other members of the AFFOLTER family also play various roles within the company, which gives the business its friendly, family atmosphere and helps keep it close to its stakeholders and their concerns.
Affolter Group SA is expanding and renovating its industrial site in Valbirse (Grand Chasseral, Canton of Bern).
Starting this week and continuing until 2027, major construction work will take place at the Grand-Rue 74 site. The building will be expanded by an additional 2,750 m² of net usable space, bringing the group’s total available area to 10,500 m².
Furthermore, the existing section of the Grand-Rue 74 building, constructed between 1993 and 1999, will undergo a complete renovation to meet current industrial standards.
With this investment, Affolter Group SA aims to pursue its long-term growth while equipping itself with modern and attractive infrastructure for its clients, partners, and employees.
A great year for AFFOLTER!
Louis Affolter founded his company in 1919,
4 generations later, Affolter has the pleasure of celebrating 100 years of industrial and family history in the Bernese Jura.
Management of the Group is entrusted to Grégory Affolter, Nicolas Curty and Vincent Affolter.
Establishment of Affolter China Co., Ltd, with a registered office in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
Acquisition and total renovation of the industrial premises at Grand-Rue 62 in Malleray, bringing the total space available to the Group to 8,000 m2 .
Opening of the Shanghai sales and service office for the products of Affolter Technologies SA.
Construction of new industrial premises at Grand-Rue 74 in Malleray.
Management of the business and the share capital is handed over to the three sons of Marc Affolter, with Michel, Jean-Claude, and Marc-Alain representing the third generation. (left to right)
Construction of new industrial premises at rue du Pont 7 in Malleray.
The three sons of Louis, René (1918-1991), André (1916-1992) and Marc (1928-2009), pick up the baton. The company changes its name and becomes “Les fils de Louis Affolter” (Sons of Louis Affolter).
Installation of the workshop in the building at rue du Pont 5 in Malleray.
Establishment of the business by Louis Affolter in Renan (canton of Bern). The business is involved in the manufacturing of geartrains for use in watchmaking.