Pioneers of precision – the Laubscher Story
Samuel Laubscher was an industrial pioneer. Because his demand for precision could not be realized by hand, the company founder constructed his own machines to produce precision turned parts. Laubscher developed the first machine used to produce watch screws in one operation. A milestone for the development of the watch industry at that time.
In 175 years, Laubscher has developed to become the leading company in its industry. It has retained its character as an owner-managed family business over all these years. Today the company is managed by Raphael Laubscher, the 6th generation of the family, and the 7th generation is already working in the company.
You can learn more about our history in our 175th anniversary brochure (in german) and in our movie.
19TH CENTURY
Samuel Laubscher founds a precision engineering workshop in Malleray in the Bernese Jura for the manufacture of watch screws.
Return to his homeland and construction of the first factory in Täuffelen.
Together with the mechanic Tschopp, Samuel Laubscher develops the first automatic lathe.
His five sons Alfred, Numa, Eduard, Adolf and Gottfried and his son-in-law Jakob Laubscher take over the company as a general partnership. Gottfried later leaves the company as a partner and founds his own company.
First mention of a steam engine
The Laubscher brothers patent a lathe with automatic slotting machine. For the first time, a finished screw is produced in a single operation.
Electricity enters the factory. The electricity flows from the newly built power plant in Hagneck, which Samuel Laubscher and his successors had been working for since the construction of the canal. Shortly afterwards, the company builds a telephone line from Biel to Täuffelen at its own expense.
20TH CENTURY
A Russian inventor commissioned Laubscher to produce a new type of gramophone needle. The workforce now comprises almost 100 people.
Foundation of a stock corporation. The articles of incorporation stipulate that shares can only be acquired within the family.
Business with gramophone needles runs smoothly. Laubscher opens a second factory in Murten for needle production.
The company grows rapidly in five stages of construction. A company health insurance fund and a welfare foundation are created to provide social security for employees. Laubscher builds single and multi-family homes for its employees to counter the shortage of housing in Täuffelen.
The company celebrates its 100th anniversary.
From the middle of the century the range of production techniques is expanded. Thanks to surface treatment and finishing, the value chain is extended.
A new building on the valley side doubles the production area.
With the 125th anniversary, piecework wages are abolished.
Introduction of a certified quality management system according to ISO 9002 and statistical process monitoring as one of the first industrial companies in Switzerland.
The first computer-controlled CNC machines are put into operation: Star VNC 20.
The company name Gebrüder Laubscher und Cie. becomes Laubscher Präzision AG.
Purchase and commissioning of the first multi-spindle machine, the Multideco 20/6 from Tornos.
21ST CENTURY
New glass building with three bright, column-free and air-conditioned production halls. An almost identical second building and an underground car park with 130 spaces will follow in 2014.
The world's first multispindle MS18C from Index starts work. The use of multi-spindle machines is constantly being expanded. They allow a rational and more precise production of parts in only one operation.
Certification of the environmental management system according to ISO 14001.
Creation of an in-house polissage department for watch screws.
Certification for the manufacture of medical products according to ISO 13485.
Installation of an air-conditioned measuring and test equipment monitoring system. Commissioning of a new cleaning plant and tool shop.
Commissioning of a fully automatic vibratory finishing system for medical technology.