Our history

The history of SFS began in 1928 in what was then the Stadler hardware store in Altstätten. Thanks to the strengthening of its market presence in Europe, Asia and North America, SFS has grown into a worldwide leading company.

Strengthening market presence

Logisticcity_Hoffmann — LogisticCity in Nuremberg (Germany), Europe’s largest logistic center for quality tools

2021
Internationalization of trading business through the acquisition of Hoffmann (Germany) and thus establishment of a leading position in the field of quality tools

2020
Construction of a plant in Nantong (China) provides a new production platform in Asia; a production platform for deep drawing technology is expanded in North America with the acquisition of Truelove & Maclean (USA)

2019
Market position strengthens in the US construction industry through the acquisition of Triangle Fastener Corporation (USA)

IPO and new claim

Börsengang_sw_rgb_1920px — SFS is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 2014

2018
«Inventing success together» – the new claim that describes our value proposition

2016
Position in the medical device business strengthens with the acquisitions of Tegra Medical (USA) and Stamm (Switzerland)

2014
SFS Group is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange; presence in Asia strengthens thanks to the acquisition of a majority stake in Indo Schöttle (India)

Expansion in Asia

SFS Group History Years 20072012 — Acquisition of GESIPA® in Germany

2012
Presence grows in Asia thanks to the acquisition of Unisteel (Singapore, Malaysia, China); majority shareholding is acquired in a company in Turkey

2008
Entry into blind riveting technology following the acquisition of GESIPA® (Germany); presence expands in Asia thanks to the acquisition of a 50% stake in Sunil SFS intec Automotive (China)

Expansion of technology portfolio

Granulate für Spritzguss — Granules for plastic injection molding

2005
Entry into deep drawing technology following an acquisition in Flawil (Switzerland)

2001
Further internationalization with the acquisition of companies in North America

1996
Entry into plastic injection molding technology following the acquisition of a factory in Altstätten (Switzerland)

Expansion of sales structure

1987
Entry into the development, production and sale of door and window hinges following the acquisition of a factory in Italy

1986
Hardware stores begin to be established in Switzerland

1983
Production plants are acquired in the United Kingdom

1979
World first: a stainless steel self-drilling fastener is developed and produced for the first time

1978
The SFS brand is registered

Development and expansion

1976
Internationalization of production with an acquisition in France and thus entry into production of the self-drilling fastener

1971
Internationalization of sales following an acquisition in Germany

1970
Implementation of infrastructure projects starts at the Heerbrugg site (Switzerland)

1966
Entry into multi-stage technology broadens expertise in cold forming

Foundation and start of production

SFS Group History Years 19281960 — Production activities begin in cold forming

1960
Production activities in cold forming begin with the manufacture of a fastener for double-glazed windows

1949
First store in Heerbrugg (Switzerland) opens, managed by Hans Huber

1928
Stadler hardware store in Altstätten (Switzerland) is founded by Benjamin Stadler and expanded by his son Josef Stadler; Hans Huber joins in 1943 as the first apprentice

Contact & Services

Corporate Communications

P +41 71 727 51 51

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