HISTORY

Find out about the development and history of the AFFOLTER Group since it was founded

OUR HISTORY IN BRIEF

Logo Affolter 100 years anniversary

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, grows up and attends school in Malleray (Bernese Jura). He learns the trade of pivot-maker, which he practises 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 leaves his post and sets 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 has three sons named André, René, and Marc, all of whom join the family business. In 1985, the baton is 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.

1919

Louis Affolter, the founder

1919 - Louis Affolter

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.

1926

Industrial premises Rue du Pont 5

Installation of the workshop in the building at rue du Pont 5 in Malleray.

Installation of the workshop in the building at rue du Pont 5 in Malleray.

1927

Manufacturing of pinions and pivots

Listing of the company “Louis Affolter, fabrique de pignons et pivotage en tous genres” (Louis Affolter, manufacturer of all kinds of pinions and pivots) in the commercial register.

1946

Second generation of Affolters

1946 - Second generation of Affolters

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).

1957

Industrial premises Rue du Pont 7

bâtiment industriel à la rue du Pont 7 à Malleray.

Construction of new industrial premises at rue du Pont 7 in Malleray.

1978

Affolter Pignons

The company is transformed into a public limited company under the name of “Pignons Affolter SA”. This company will change its name in 2004 and become Affolter Pignons SA.

1985

Third generation of Affolters

La direction de l’entreprise et le capital-actions passent dans les mains des trois fils de Marc Affolter, Marc-Alain, Jean-Claude et Michel Affolter représentant la troisième génération.

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)

1991

Affolter Technologies SA

Establishment of Affolter Electronique SA. Affolter Electronique SA was initially the research and development department of Affolter Pignons SA. This company will change its name in 2005 and become Affolter Technologies SA.

1993

Industrial premises Grand-Rue 74

âtiment industriel à la Grand-Rue 74 à Malleray.

Construction of new industrial premises at Grand-Rue 74 in Malleray.

1999

Extension of industrial premises

Extension du bâtiment industriel de la Grand-Rue 74 à Malleray.

Extension of the industrial premises at Grand-Rue 74 in Malleray.

2004

Affolter Holding SA and AFManagement SA

Establishment of Affolter Holding SA
and AFManagement SA.

2006

Industrial premises Grand-Rue 76

Construction d’un nouveau bâtiment industriel à la Grand-Rue 76 Malleray.

Construction of new industrial premises at Grand-Rue 76 in Malleray

2008

Sales and service office in Shanghai

Bureau de vente et de services à Shanghai

Opening of the Shanghai sales and service office for the products of Affolter Technologies SA.

2011

Industrial premises Grand-Rue 62

Bâtiment Affolter - Grand-Rue 62 - Malleray

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 .

2013

Affolter China Co., Ltd

Affolter China Co. ; Ltd - Shanghai

Establishment of Affolter China Co., Ltd, with a registered office in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

ISO 9001

Achievement of ISO 9001 certification.

2016

Fourth generation of management

Management of the Group is entrusted to Grégory Affolter, Vincent Affolter, and Nicolas Curty.

Management of the Group is entrusted to Grégory Affolter, Nicolas Curty and Vincent Affolter.

2017

Affolter Innovations SA

Establishment of Affolter Innovations SA with a view to combining the Group’s research and     development activity within a separate entity. The Group underlines its mission to promote innovation and develop new products for the future.

2019

A great year for AFFOLTER!

Affolter has the pleasure of celebrating 100 years of industrial and family history

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.

2021

Merger of the AFFOLTER Group companies

Affolter Holding SA absorbed Affolter Pignons SA , Affolter Technologies SA, Affolter Innovations SA and AFManagement SA. On the same date, the company’s name was changed to Affolter Group SA.

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