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History

Of that time to the day after tomorrow

1947
1947

Wilhelm Schmidlin AG founded

Wilhelm Schmidlin founds the first, and to this day only, steel bathtub factory in Switzerland.

1948
1948

First factory building constructed

The first factory building is constructed next to the forge.

1961

Factory building extended

Margrit Wullschleger-Schmidlin establishes the company’s in-house enameling plant.

1962
1962

Deep drawing press commissioned

The 630-ton deep drawing press is used to draw and form bathtubs seamlessly from a single workpiece. Wilhelm Schmidlin is the world’s first supplier to succeed in using an ingenious 3-pass process to draw bathtubs 45 cm deep.

1962

Tile flange tubs developed

Wilhelm Schmidlin launches its tile flange tubs, which are just as contemporary today as they were when first marketed.

1969

Eduard Wullschleger joins

Eduard Wullschleger joins the family business.

1974

First industrial robot introduced

The first industrial robot is commissioned for enamel spraying.

1980
1980

Production modernized

A lightweight propane gas-fired continuous furnace and the new state-of-the-art enameling plant are installed.

1982

2-pass deep drawing process introduced

Schmidlin switches to the 2-pass deep drawing process.

1986
1986

Company taken over by the second generation

Eduard and Margrit Wullschleger-Schmidlin take over as owners of the company.

1992

1-pass deep drawing process introduced

Schmidlin switches to the 1-pass deep drawing process.

1997
1997

First showroom opened in Oberarth

Schmidlin opens its first showroom in Oberarth.

2007
2007

Management taken over by the third generation

Since 2007 the destiny of the company has been in the hands of Beat and Urs Wullschleger.

2008
2008

Engineering laboratory opened

The company’s in-house engineering laboratory opens.

2009
2009

New enameling plant commissioned

A new enameling plant boasting state-of-the-art production technology is built and commissioned.

2010
2010

Showroom extended

Schmidlin opens the expanded showroom in Oberarth, now encompassing 400 square meters.

2011

Company taken over by the third generation. SchmidLEAN introduced

Urs Wullschleger and Beat Wullschleger take over as owners of the company. SchmidLEAN, based on the Kaizen philosophy, is introduced.

2013

New logistics center built

The new logistics center is built and commissioned.

2015
2015

ECOPUR urinal launched

Schmidlin launches the ECOPUR urinal. Economical, robust and with a screen for entertainment, it is ideal for heavily used restroom facilities in public spaces.

2017

New chamber furnace commissioned

The new chamber furnace is commissioned, which allows larger parts than before to be enameled, such as kitchen splashbacks up to 4 meters in size.

2018
2018

New brand identity launched

Schmidlin updates its brand and drops all previous verbal and visual additional elements.

2018
2018

Glazed titanium steel kitchen splashback launched

The company introduces a new solution for the heavy demands of kitchen workspaces.

2019
2019

1st Prize in the Family Business Award

The 2019 “Family Business Award”, established by the AMGA Group to recognize Swiss family businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainability, is presented to Wilhelm Schmidlin AG.

2019
2019

Whiteboards and blackboards launched

Schmidlin introduces its frameless whiteboards and blackboards, which are suitable for use as writing boards and/or magnetic boards.

2019

Honorary presidency for Margrit Wullschleger-Schmidlin

Margrit Wullschleger-Schmidlin is appointed honorary president.

2021

New pressing shop commissioned

The new pressing shop is commissioned, featuring automation and enabling edge trimming.

2022

Raw manufacturing expanded

A third building to expand Schmidlin’s raw manufacturing capabilities will open in the fall of 2022.