Custom page – Zehnder

1855

Birth of Jakob Zehnder

1886

The Benz Patent Motor Car, the first modern car, was patented by Karl Benz.

1886

First mechanical workshop of the Zehnder family

1895

Repairs of all kinds: The Zehnder family of entrepreneurs begins with Jakob Zehnder (born in 1855). He builds a house and small mechanical workshop in Graenichen, Switzerland.

1901

First Nobel Prize

1912

The family-run company is born.

1914-1918

The First World War: A global conflict that redrew the political map of Europe.

1923

The ‘Zehnderli’ conquers Switzerland.

1929-1932

Wall Street Crash: Great Depression

1930

Introducing Europe's first steel tube radiator.

1939-1945

Second World War

1950er

Economic Miracle

1964

Zehnder starts its global expansion.

1969

Moon landing: Apollo 11 lands on the moon and Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon.

1979

Pioneering with the world’s first bathroom radiator.

1980

The new Zehnder ceiling panels are introduced.

1986

Zehnder goes public.

1989

Fall of the Berlin Wall: Symbolic moment marking the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.

1990

The World Wide Web is born: Tim Berners-Lee develops the first web protocol, revolutionising the Internet.

1996

Zehnder enters Asian market.

1999

Launch of the euro: The single European currency is introduced, changing the economic landscape of Europe.

2001

Zehnder adds ventilation solutions to its product portfolio.

2007

Fourth business field: cleaning systems by Zehnder.

2008

Global financial crisis: collapse of major financial institutions and global recession.

2013

New European Hub to be closer to our customers.

2015

Paris Climate Agreement: A global treaty to combat climate change that sets out international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

2020

Zehnder is a service provider and pioneer.

2020

COVID-19 Pandemic: A global health crisis that causes significant economic downturns and changes in the global economy.

2023

Opening to the Zehnder Center of Climate.

Jakob Zehnder is born in 1855.

Repairs of all kinds: The Zehnder family of entrepreneurs begins with Jakob Zehnder. He builds a house and small mechanical workshop in Graenichen, Switzerland.

The J. Zehnder Söhne company is founded by Jakob Zehnder and his three sons.

A light motorcycle conquers Switzerland: The Zehnder brothers develop and sell the legendary 'Zehnderli' light motorcycle.

Europe's first steel tube radiator: The innovative Zehnder Charleston radiator, a design classic, establishes its place on the market.

In view of growing competition in Germany, the Zehnder company decides to open its own dedicated production plant near Freiburg in Breisgau.

A leading European innovator: Zehnder demonstrates its pioneering spirit once again by developing the first bathroom radiator – a product that remains popular to this day.

Entry into radiant ceiling panel market: Zehnder expands its portfolio to include radiant ceiling panels, which are ideal for heating industrial halls and commercial buildings.

Listing on the Swiss stock market: Zehnder goes public and lists its shares on the Zurich stock exchange. The family retains a majority share to this day.

First production site in China: Zehnder becomes the first foreign company to enter the Chinese radiator market.

Move into the ventilation business: Zehnder joins the comfort ventilation business, an area that undergoes regular expansion in subsequent years.

Industry in its sights: Zehnder establishes a fourth business field with air cleaning systems for industry, logistics, and the food and beverage sectors.

Opening of the logistics centre: The opening of the Zehnder logistics centre in Lahr, Germany, provides a hub for European deliveries and is a huge step forward in developing the company's customer service activities.

Today, Zehnder is a leading international provider of complete solutions for a healthy and comfortable indoor climate, and employs approximately 3,500 people.

The Center of Climate is an impressive new corporate building in Lahr. The centerpiece of the nearly 5,000 m2 area spread across three floors is the brand experience space, the interactive exhibition featuring numerous display modules.