Our History
In 50 years, Komax has developed from a three-man operation in a garage in Lucerne into a global industry leader with more than 3,100 employees. This was not a given; rather, it was remarkable.
Time Journey
Komax
At the inception of Komax stands Max Koch – name-giver, all-rounder, tinkerer with the spirit of an entrepreneur, aiming to conquer the whole world from little old Lucerne. In 1975, with two colleagues, he builds speed warning devices for cars and quickly notices that a wire processing machine would make the work a great deal easier. No sooner thought than developed and built: The Komax 20 founds a promising product dynasty.
Max Koch, 1979
In no time at all, the Lucerne trio become a professional tech startup for wire processing machines that grows and leaves the city limits of Lucerne behind. Komax establishes subsidiaries in the USA, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and North Africa.
The company has long since been in the hands of the management and on the stock exchange when the new strategy is formulated: diversification into assembly automation, with a focus on the solar industry and medtech. Not the most glorious chapter in its history, but still Komax learns from the experience and from this point forward concentrates on what it does best: wire processing machines.
Going forward, Komax’s aim is to cover the whole of the value chain. For this, it needs strong partners like Schleuniger, which are sensitively assimilated into the business. The competition is growing. But in amongst all the rivalry, Komax’s focus is on its customers, who bank on technological innovations from the Swiss industry leader. It was ever thus, and thus will it remain.
1975
With two colleagues, Max Koch tinkers with car accessories in a workshop in Lucerne, builds a first wire processing machine to help with the work – and finds his niche. On 9 January 1975, he has the Komax Ingenieurbüro entered in the commercial register.
Born from a personal need for the Komax Speed Control: the first wire processing machine, Komax 20.
1978
Sole proprietorship Komax Ingenieurbüro becomes Komax electronic AG.
1980
Near Chicago, Komax founds its first subsidiary, in close proximity to an ever more important client base: the automotive industry. The international growth continues.
1982
Komax moves into its new headquarters in Dierikon, near Lucerne. With 17,000 square meters, there is plenty of room to grow.
1985
Komax extends its main building, adding a large production department with a high-bay warehouse.
1987
Komax wins innovation and business awards, inter alia thanks to its new Komax 50/500 block loader. The level of investment in research and development at Komax is way above the industry average.
1989
The fall of the Iron Curtain puts the brakes on the global trend toward automation as an unbeatably low-cost source of labor suddenly becomes available in the former Eastern Bloc.
1996
Max Koch hands over his company to the management in a management buyout.
From managers to businessmen (from left): Viktor Tobler (Production), Miguel Peres (Komax Portugal), Jim Sopp (Komax USA), Josef Zumstein (Marketing and Sales), Claudio Meisser (Research and Development), Andreas Wolfisberg (Finance and Accounting), Marc Guitton (Komax France), Leo Steiner (CEO).
1997
On 11 June 1997, Komax is listed on the stock market under the symbol KOMN. On the very first day, its share value goes up from 435 to 541 Swiss francs.
1998
With the acquisition of Sibos and with assembly machines – instead of, as previously, wire processing machines only – Komax diversifies into the fields of the automotive industry, telecommunications, electrical engineering, and household appliances.
2002
In China, the market of the future, Komax was already selling wire processing machines in the 1990s. Now it opens a subsidiary in Shanghai with distribution and production for the local market.
2009
The global economy is in crisis – and Komax with it. In one of the most difficult years in the firm’s history, it establishes separate business units and focuses its diversification strategy: Komax Wire, Komax Medtech, and Komax Solar.
2014
The Solar business unit is not achieving the desired successes. Komax sells it to its Chinese joint venture partner Jinchen.
2016
After the sale of the Medtech business unit, Komax refocuses on wire processing. With several acquisitions and holdings in partner firms, its aim in future is to cover the entire value chain.
2020
Komax’s new, vertical factory in Dierikon is a commitment to doing business in Switzerland – and an award-winning building, giving staff plentiful daylight and short access routes.
2022
Komax launches its vision of how the wire processing of the future can be optimized: the Smart Factory by Komax is characterized by five attributes: Real-Time Quality Audits, No Operator Influence, On-Demand Service, Self-Optimizing Factory, Self-Service Boutique.
2022
Komax and its long-standing competitor Schleuniger, from Thun, join forces in a quasi-merger.
2024
Komax acquires a majority share in Chinese company Hosver and strengthens its market position in growth market China.
2025
Komax turns 50 – and streamlines the company to be fit for the future.
Anecdotes
The people behind Komax
Read on for fascinating and surprising historical anecdotes and accounts from founder Max Koch and staff members.
Recollections from our staff
Seduced by awards to stay
Urs Zurkirchen has been working at Komax for 38 years. This followed a temporary job, after which he was determined not to work in such a small firm. Here, the current Vice President of Services & Reselling explains what ultimately persuaded him to stay:
A Working Life devoted to Komax
After 44 years with Komax, Beat Wicki has much to share, as the more than 60 stamps from Asia in his passport bear witness. The current Vice President of KA & MS Management Automotive traveled a great deal for Komax. Here he shares his experiences from these travels:
The customs officer's revenge
Erica Bucher worked for more than 35 years in exports for Komax and picked up a great deal about the cultural differences present in an international company. For example, a Turkish representative who had to sort all his products back into their packages due to irritated customs officers.
In at the deep end
For Christian Pölzl, everything moved very fast at Komax: Barely appointed, on his first day at work he was tasked with interviewing another potential employee; in his second week he was sent on a business trip; and in the third he had to make a pitch to a customer. He must have liked it though: After 10 years he has even more stories to tell.
The call
At first it was a shock for Darren Teasck, at that time CEO of Schleuniger USA and Cirris, when a call came informing him of the combination of Schleuniger and its then biggest competitor Komax. Read about how he broke the news to his staff and the common ground that was found here:
Reporting
Historical News