A black-and-white historical aerial photograph showing our site

A Journey Through Time – Insights into History

What was it actually like back then? Join us on a journey back in time.

Historical photographs, personal stories and defining moments bring the past to life. Discover archive footage, special moments and fascinating anecdotes from over six decades of the company’s history. Our journey through time offers insights into the history of STEINEL Solutions and highlights the people, events and developments that have shaped our site and whose pioneering spirit can still be felt today. At the same time, it illustrates how the company has evolved from a manufacturing plant into today’s Alpine Innovation Hub.

From days gone by

Our site at that time

What many people don’t know is that there were bathrooms and showers underneath the canteen. Anyone who was ‘dripping with oil’ after work on a Friday could have a shower there for 50 cents – which was particularly important for seasonal workers, who often only had a room without a shower.

At that time, there were around 600 staff, plus a great deal of home-based work, where tasks were carried out from home.

Training was also a key focus: 10 apprentices per year, totalling around 40 at any one time, supervised by just two trainers.

What’s more, almost everything was manufactured in-house, even small parts such as screws. It was mainly raw materials that were purchased. Today, much has changed – but the pioneering spirit of those days continues to shape us to this day.

Black-and-white photograph of the site, showing the shed hall and the office building as seen from the clay court

Black-and-white photograph of the office block with old vehicles in the foreground

black-and-white aerial photograph of the site

International roots (1960s)

This photograph takes us back to a time when a large proportion of the workforce came from abroad. Around three-quarters of the staff were women at the time, many of them from Italy or Croatia. As there was hardly any labour available in the region, the head of human resources travelled regularly to Croatia and Italy to recruit new staff. Some stayed for only a few years, whilst others found a new home here, started families and became part of the local community.

Many female staff members gather round men in suits to ask questions

10th anniversary (1967)

In 1967, the 10th anniversary was celebrated in Einsiedeln – with an open day for invited guests and the general public.

The photos show a special event featuring speeches, factory tours, refreshments and entertainment for young and old alike. Visitors were given an insight into the various departments and were able to hear directly from staff, foremen and supervisors about the nature of the work being carried out.

The photo taken in the rain shows, amongst others, Abbot Raimund Tschudi and Director Leuthold. Guests from Zug were also present, as Einsiedeln was at that time still ‘merely’ the workshop.

The photographs impressively demonstrate just how important interaction with the local region was even back then. At the same time, they offer a rare insight into everyday working life in the 1960s.

A black-and-white photograph of four men and one woman at a barbecue, grilling sausages

A black-and-white photograph of a former employee at work, with a family watching her

Black-and-white photograph of female employees from that time working at machinery

Black-and-white photograph of female staff members at work at that time

Black-and-white photograph of men in the rain with two umbrellas

Black-and-white photograph – A man explains factory work to two teenagers

A black-and-white photograph of happy people at a company party next to a carousel

Black-and-white photograph – men looking over the shoulder of a female colleague as she works

black-and-white photograph – young men looking over a man’s shoulder as he works

9 o’clock sharp: Roll call

Every morning, the report had to be ready by 09:00. It recorded who was present, who was absent due to illness, and how the previous day’s performance had gone.

black-and-white photograph; many staff members are walking past the building across the forecourt

Black-and-white photograph of many staff members at their workstations on the production floor

Back then, they worked with what was known as a ‘performance factor’. Standard times were defined for individual work steps. These targets were used to measure how efficiently work was carried out, and the figures achieved were reported daily.

The photographs provide an insight into a time when work processes, performance and production were recorded down to the last detail – long before computers and digital dashboards became part of everyday working life.

Everyday life in the snow and cold (January 1981)

The photos show our site in the depths of winter. These days, we can only dream of that much snow. Back then, the company had something rather special: its very own snow blower. We were proud of it – and it was certainly needed.

The snow had to be cleared by 06:30 at the latest. If it wasn’t, it didn’t go unnoticed.

Most of the staff came from Innerschwyz, some from Wädenswil and Horgen, which was already considered a long commute back then.

In addition, many Italian women worked for us as seasonal workers. The company provided them with accommodation – work and home life were closely intertwined.

Parked, old cars covered in icicles, with plenty of snow in the background

Meter-high walls of snow across the site

A snow-clearing vehicle is clearing the car park in front of the building of the heavy snow

When helicopters were parked on our site

The photographs show a rather unusual sight: army helicopters on the grounds in Einsiedeln. But the story behind it is not just about a training exercise. Over the years, the area around the factory has repeatedly been made available whenever clubs or organisations needed space, whether for army or fire brigade exercises or other events.

Four military helicopters are parked in the car park

1 helicopter lands in the car park in front of the building

FC Einsiedeln was also allowed to use the car park free of charge at any time. And the former sand pitch, originally intended as a reserve for future company buildings, was made available to the club for a symbolic 1 franc. Not because the pitch had cost anything, but because this had to be stipulated in the contract.

These photographs serve as a reminder that a company not only creates jobs, but is also part of a region and its community. That was the case back then, and it remains an important part of our history today.

Summer in Einsiedeln (July 1981)

Exactly 45 years ago (as of 2026), work was being carried out on the roof of our factory. Following repeated problems with rainwater ingress, a comprehensive refurbishment was required.

The photos show scenes from the work carried out in the height of summer. Such images serve as a reminder that our company’s history comprises not only products and milestones, but also the many projects – large and small – that have made our day-to-day work possible.

The pictures remind us a little of the situation today: just as the existing building was being made fit for the future in July 1981, so too are we working flat out today in summery temperatures to further develop our site.

Construction workers on the roof of the office block

Two construction workers are working on the roof of the building

A view of our site (1982)

A view of the site in gentle sunshine, from a short distance away

These photographs show our site over 40 years ago. There was significantly more open space and far fewer buildings around the site than there are today.

A lot has changed since then, and with the new building currently under construction right next door, another chapter in our history is being written.

Plenty of space for big plans

This historic aerial photograph shows a time when there was still a great deal of open space around the factory. Meadows, land reserves and the well-known sand pitch characterised the scene.

It is hard to imagine today, but back then there were plans to expand the site significantly and, in the long term, to employ up to 6,000 staff. Consequently, a great deal of land was held in reserve. When it became clear that this vision would not be realised on that scale, a large portion of the land was sold off.

Anyone comparing this photograph with the situation today can clearly see just how much both our site and Einsiedeln have changed.

Black-and-white aerial photograph of the site, with Einsiedeln Abbey in the background

25 years of the Einsiedeln plant (1982)

In 1982, the 25th anniversary of the Einsiedeln plant was celebrated. The photographs show a festive occasion featuring a communal meal, a competition and, of course, plenty of time for socialising and conversation.

And, as befits an anniversary, there was no shortage of celebrations. The dance floor was packed and everyone spent the evening together.

A lovely glimpse into a time when people didn’t just work, but also celebrated their successes together.

Staff dancing at the company party in the canteen

Former staff members are filling in a questionnaire to mark the anniversary

Frageboten: 6 questions to mark the anniversary

No fewer than two newspapers from Einsiedeln reported on the anniversary (1982)

The 25th anniversary of the Einsiedeln plant was not only celebrated – it was also covered in detail by the local press. What is interesting is that, at that time, there was also the *Neue Einsiedler Zeitung* alongside the well-known *Einsiedler Anzeiger*.

Newspaper article from the *Einsiedler Anzeiger*

Newspaper article from the Neue Einsiedler Zeitung

Both newspapers reported on the anniversary entertainment evening held at the village centre, which was attended by around 600 employees, retired staff, relatives and guests. The programme included music, entertainment, dancing, a quiz on the company’s history and, of course, plenty of opportunities to socialise.

It is particularly lovely to read how the reports describe the atmosphere: a festive evening, plenty of surprises and a Landis & Gyr family looking to the future with renewed vigour and optimism.

A special moment in our history (1984)

To mark the Pope’s visit to Einsiedeln, the trainees at Landis & Gyr’s Einsiedeln plant presented Pope John Paul II with a watch they had designed and manufactured themselves.

A creation from the training workshop – powered by solar energy and inspired by a profound philosophy: to use technology responsibly and for the good of the world.

The gift was accompanied by a personally written letter, signed by all the apprentices. The inscription ‘Time is grace’ symbolises this moment – and the connection between mind, craftsmanship and technology.

A striking historical document that illustrates the importance attached to training, personal development and a sense of purpose even back then.

Handmade golden world clock with a golden cross bearing the inscription ‘Time is grace’

Document with the heading ‘Hermit apprentices presented the Pope with a gift’

Letter from the apprentices at Landis & Gyr to the Pope

A recent portrait of Erwin Kälin, with an older photograph from the company’s records in a small box below it

Erwin Kälin, a long-serving former employee

Fond memories

"When I look back on the history of our site, I don’t just think of the factory and the products that have been manufactured here over the years. Above all, I think of the people who have come and gone here. My father worked here as far back as the 1960s, so I developed a connection to this company and its workforce from an early age. Even back then, people looked out for one another and took pride in being part of something bigger. When I started working here myself, I felt that special spirit straight away. Together, we have overcome challenges, celebrated successes and experienced changes that nobody could have imagined in the past. Much has changed over the past few decades, but the sense of unity, down-to-earth attitude and pioneering spirit have remained. When I look at the old photographs, I don’t just see the past. I see the people who, through their dedication and passion, laid the foundations for what our site is today. I’m still proud of that to this day."

Back to the Future

Alpine Innovation Hub

Where vision becomes reality

Our range of services includes consultancy, product development, industrialisation, manufacturing and comprehensive services from concept to market readiness, all from a single source. Thanks to our integration into the STEINEL Group, customer projects can be scaled flexibly and the series production of large quantities can be efficiently relocated to other European sites, depending on the product life cycle and market developments.

About the Alpine Innovation Hub

Our new building

This is where the future is taking shape

The planned new building will create a forward-looking environment that combines innovation, technology and sustainable development. The move into the building is scheduled for the second half of 2027. This new home will provide the foundation for further strengthening our market position, tapping into new customer potential and playing an active role in shaping the technological future.

About the new building