- Weidmann Group
- Electrical Technology
- Medical Technology
- Fiber Technology
Heinrich Weidmann acquires the water-powered mill in Rapperswil, Switzerland, and establishes a pressboard and cardboard factory. The company soon begins supplying insulating materials to the emerging electrical industry, laying the foundation for a legacy of innovation and growth.
Following the death of Heinrich Weidmann and the company’s near-bankruptcy, Jean Tschudi-Klaesi, co-owner of a board mill in Ennenda (Canton of Glarus), leads a financial consortium to acquire the business. Under Tschudi & Cie AG, the company shifts focus to specialty boards for non-electrical applications, including stereotype matrix boards and later, products for office supplies.
Leadership passes to Hans Tschudi-Faude, a trained paper engineer and son of Jean Tschudi. He restructures the company and repositions H. Weidmann AG as a leading supplier of cellulose-based specialty boards and components for the power transformer industry, marking the origins of today’s Electrical Technology Business Area (ETBA).
Weidmann begins producing insulation components made from calendered pressboard, expanding its capabilities in high-performance electrical insulation materials.
As plastic resin compounds like Bakelite gain popularity, Weidmann becomes one of the first Swiss companies to use them in compression molding – producing machine parts for the textile industry. This marks the beginning of molded component manufacturing from thermosetting materials and thermoplastics, laying the foundation for today’s Medical Technology Business Area (MTBA).
Hans Tschudi-Faude invents “Transformerboard,” a hot press-dried insulation board that becomes a breakthrough in transformer insulation. This innovation marks the first step toward the insulation technology still used today, enabling the development of increasingly powerful high-voltage transformers.
The installation of Weidmann’s first large-format Transformerboard machine (3 x 6 meters) in Rapperswil marks the true beginning of Transformerboard as a product. This innovation becomes the global standard for insulating high-voltage power transformers, a technology still in use throughout the world today.
Dr. Felix Tschudi-Hubacher takes over management from his father and initiates an international expansion strategy for the High-Voltage Insulation business (now Electrical Technology), recognizing that export alone cannot meet growing global demand. During this time, Tschudi & Cie AG is fully integrated into the Weidmann Group.
EHV-Industries Inc. in St. Johnsbury, Vermont (now Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc.), joins the Weidmann Group. The site becomes the central hub for Electrical Technology’s North American production of Transformerboard and insulation components.
Weidmann do Brasil (now Weidmann Tecnologia Elétrica Ltda) is established as a central hub for Electrical Technology in South America, focused on converting insulation materials to serve the regional market.
Weidmann acquires Whiteley Ltd. (now Weidmann Whiteley Ltd.), in Pool-in-Wharfedale, UK, renowned for its specialty papers for both electrical and non-electrical applications, including calender bowls and abrasive papers. An insulation components workshop is established on-site and remains active until 2020.
Weidmann Plastics Technology records its first sales of two-component plastic parts, specifically cowl vents, to the German automotive industry, marking a significant step into high-precision mobility applications.
To better manage its expanding portfolio, the Weidmann Group is reorganized under a new holding structure, WICOR Holding AG. In 2018, the holding company is renamed Weidmann Holding AG.
Weidmann establishes a representative office for the Electrical Technology Business Area (ETBA) in Kiev, Ukraine, strengthening its presence and customer support in the European market.
Weidmann establishes Izo-Prod d.o.o., an insulation components workshop in Zagreb, Croatia. A minority share is acquired and the company is renamed Weidmann Izo-Prod d.o.o. A second plant is opened in Samobor in 2015, with both sites expanded in 2022 to support growing regional demand.
Weidmann establishes Weidmann Systems International Ltd., a dedicated sales and sourcing organization for the Electrical Technology Business Area (ETBA), with offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China, enhancing access to the Asian market and regional supply networks.
Weidmann establishes Weidmann Tecnología Eléctrica de México S.A. in Saltillo, dedicated to the fabrication of insulation components and strengthening ETBA’s manufacturing presence in the Americas.
Weidmann Plastics Technology successfully integrates micro-structured surfaces using nanotechnology into medical components for analytics and diagnostics (“lab-on-a-chip”). This marks the beginning of the Medical Technology division, with initial project orders from the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
The Malyn Paper Mill, a renowned producer of electrical and specialty papers in Malyn, Ukraine, joins the Weidmann Group as JSC Weidmann Malyn Paper Mill. This is followed by the establishment of a dedicated insulation components production facility on-site, which has been continuously expanded to meet ever-growing demand.
Weidmann enters into a license partnership with Govik Electricals Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai, India, to support the local fabrication of insulation components and strengthen market access in the region.
Weidmann acquires Bruwag AG in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, a specialist in plastic component manufacturing. The company is merged into Weidmann Plastics Technology AG in 2006. A new production plant with cleanroom facilities is established to serve the Medical Division, with further expansions in 2009 and 2010.
Weidmann acquires ACTI, Inc., a leading US-Canadian provider of transformer oil diagnostics and services, headquartered in Sacramento, California. With laboratories across North America – including Bensalem, PA; Indianapolis, IN; Houston, TX; and Calgary, AB – the acquisition marks a significant expansion of Weidmann’s Electrical Technology service offering.
Additional sites follow in Burlington, ON (2005); Waukesha, WI (2008); Denver, CO and Montreal, QC (2009); Shanghai, China (2009); and Saltillo, Mexico (2010).
Franziska Tschudi Sauber assumes management responsibility from her father, Dr. Felix Tschudi-Hubacher. Her focus is on sharpening the strategic direction of the business areas – particularly Plastics Technology (PTBA) – and aligning the global site network for long-term success.
Weidmann acquires Avery Dennison’s Electrical Paper Division, including production facilities in Framingham, MA, and O’Fallon, MI (USA). The acquisition expands Weidmann’s capabilities in specialty insulation materials, including crepe and diamond dotted papers, and becomes part of Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc.
Weidmann establishes Weidmann Plastics Technology (Deutschland) AG and opens a production facility in Treuen, Saxony, enhancing its presence in the German plastics and automotive components market.
Weidmann establishes Weidmann Plastics Technology North America Inc., along with a new production facility in Auburn, Alabama, to serve the North American market for high-precision plastic components.
Weidmann opens a production facility in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province (China), focused on manufacturing specialized ultra-high voltage insulation components – supporting regional demand for advanced electrical infrastructure and grid expansion.
Weidmann opens a state-of-the-art fiber and board laboratory for the Electrical Technology Business Area (ETBA) in Rapperswil, Switzerland – strengthening research and development capabilities in innovation and next-generation material science.
Weidmann establishes an integrated plant for electrical paper products in Urbana, Ohio (USA), consolidating operations by relocating activities and closing the former sites in Framingham, MA, and O’Fallon, MO.
Weidmann opens a production plant in Gebze, Türkiye, focused on manufacturing insulation components to support regional demand and strengthen its global supply network.
Weidmann sells the Automotive and Industrial division of its Plastics Technology Business Area (PTBA) to US-based Techniplas Group, focusing its plastics activities on medical applications.
Following the divestment of its Automotive and Industrial division, Weidmann retains its Medical Technology activities as an independent Business Area (MTBA), dedicated to high-precision injection-molded components for medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Weidmann Electrical Technology (Jiaxing) Co. Ltd. takes over Siemens’ insulation components workshop in Wuhan, China – strengthening local production capabilities and expanding its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
Weidmann establishes the Fiber Technology Business Area (FTBA), focused on the production of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and the development of innovative, partly patented MFC-based products – supporting sustainability and next-generation material solutions.
Weidmann Medical Technology North America establishes a new production plant in Saltillo, Mexico, featuring cleanroom facilities. The move consolidates operations previously located in Auburn, AL (USA), and supports growing demand in the medical sector.
Weidmann’s Fiber Technology Business Area (FTBA) inaugurates its dedicated natural fiber plant in Rapperswil, Switzerland, to produce microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) – advancing innovation in sustainable, bio-based materials.
Weidmann begins construction of a second Medical Technology (MTBA) production plant at its Rapperswil site, featuring cleanroom facilities to support growing demand for high-precision medical components.
Weidmann sells its North American Diagnostic Laboratory business and the InsuLogix® monitoring product line to Megger, aligning its strategic focus within the Electrical Technology Business Area.
Weidmann Group announces the appointment of Maximilian Veit as its new Group Chief Executive, marking a new chapter in the company’s leadership and strategic development.
In response to growing market demand, Weidmann Electrical Technology announces a 200-million CHF investment plan to upgrade existing facilities and construct new sites – strengthening global capacity and service capabilities.
Weidmann inaugurates its new Cerritos plant in Mexico, the first major milestone of its global investment program in Electrical Technology. The facility adds significant capacity for producing transformer components to serve the Americas region.
