From blacksmith’s forge to global corporation
Bucher Industries has been making industrial history for over 200 years
What began more than 200 years ago with a small forge has, through the efforts of several generations, developed into an ultra-modern, globally active technology group for mechanical and vehicle engineering. We look back with great respect and pride on Bucher's countless pioneering industrial achievements. With great pleasure, but also with some humility in view of this long industrial tradition, we are committed to continuing this impressive success story with an innovative spirit, perseverance and boldness.
1807
Blacksmith Heinrich Bucher
Heinrich Bucher (-Weiss) (1784 – 1850) runs a forge in a small hamlet near Niederweningen on the Zurich cantonal border, laying the foundation stone for the Bucher Group.
1874
Recorded in the commercial register
The forge, with four employees, is given the company entry “Johann Bucher, mechanical workshop, manufacture of mechanical components for agricultural machines”. Johann is the grandson of Heinrich Bucher.
1918
Change of company name to Bucher-Guyer
The company name “Maschinenfabrik Johann Bucher-Manz” is changed to “Maschinenfabrik Jean Bucher‑Guyer”. The number of employees has grown to 150.
1921
Successful "Luna"
The "Luna" centrifugal slurry pump achieves gratifying sales at home and abroad.
1934
Dipl.-Ing. Walter Hauser
Walter Hauser (-Bucher) (1904 - 1967) gradually takes over the management. The company has 215 employees in Niederweningen and 40 in Griessen. A horse-drawn mower with an auxiliary engine is Bucher’s first motorized agricultural machine to be launched on the market.
1946
Bucher invests in Kuhn
Bucher-Guyer acquires a stake in the French agricultural machinery manufacturer Kuhn Frères & Cie. in Saverne and further expands the company.
1954
First Bucher tractor
The first Bucher four-wheel tractors are introduced to the market. Bucher-Guyer quickly becomes one of the most important manufacturers of Swiss tractors. By 1964, a total of 5,000 units has been delivered.
1965
Pioneering achievement with HP 5000
The first HP 5000 universal fruit press is delivered. It represents a significant step in rationalizing the processing of fruit, berries and vegetables into clear juices.
1986
Vaslin, and stock market flotation
Bucher acquires the French grape press manufacturer CMMC, now Bucher Vaslin. Under the brands “Vaslin” and “Bucher”, the company markets its leading wine production facilities worldwide. In 1986, “Bucher Holding” bearer shares are also floated on the stock exchange. Group sales amount to CHF 430 million. The company has 2,730 employees.
1991 – 1994
Municipal vehicles
Bucher acquires the sweeper and snow-blower business of the Swiss company Rolba Kommunaltechnik AG. In 1994, the truck-mounted sweeper business Schörling is acquired, and the German company Bucher Schörling GmbH is founded in Hanover.
1994
Expansion of hydraulics business
The acquisitions of Hidroirma in 1994, Beringer Hydraulik in 1996 and Hydrotechnik Frutigen in 1997 sets the course for Bucher Hydraulics to become a globally active business.
1994
"Duro" for the army
Production of the "Duro" all-terrain vehicle begins in 1994. Around 3,000 units will be delivered to the Swiss Army by 2002.
1998
Purchase of Emhart Glass
Bucher invests in another core business by acquiring Emhart Glass, the leading manufacturer of machinery for the production of glass containers.
2003
Three companies are sold
Bucher sells the motor-mower division and thus discontinues its own agricultural machinery manufacturing operations at the Niederweningen site. The remaining activities of the former Machinery Division known as Laeis-Bucher and the "Duro" all-terrain vehicle business are also sold.
2005 – 2007
Standard registered share
In 2005, unitary standard registered shares in "Bucher Industries" are listed on the stock exchange. Bucher acquires the sweepers division of the British company Johnston Sweepers. In 2007, the Group generates sales of CHF 2,500 million, has 7 500 employees and acquires Monarch Hydraulics in the USA.
2009 – 2011
The Kuhn Group product range is strengthened with balers and agricultural machinery for grain cultivation in North America.
2013
Takeover of a majority of Jetter AG, a specialist for control systems for automation technology.
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Business structured in five divisions: Kuhn Group (agricultural machinery), Bucher Municipal (municipal vehicles), Bucher Hydraulics (hydraulic systems), Bucher Emhart Glass (glass container industry) and Bucher Specials (individual businesses). Group sales of CHF 2.7 billion, around 11 000 employees.
2016
Bucher Municipal acquired J. Hvidtved Larsen A/S (JHL), the Danish manufacturer of truck-mounted sewer-cleaning, as well as the operational business of PakMor Waste Equipment Australia Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia.
2018
Complete takeover of Joint Venture Sanjin in China by Bucher Emhart Glass.
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Bucher Hydraulics established Joint Venture Bucher Hydraulics (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. in China.