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1884 |
Following his apprenticeship in Paris and in Tuttlingen in South Germany, Karl Elsener opens his own cutler's business in Ibach-Schwyz. The energy for the grinding and polishing machines is supplied by a waterwheel driven by the Tobelbach brook. |
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1891 |
The Swiss Army is supplied with soldiers' knives for the first time. |
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1897 |
On June 12, the Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife is patented.
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1909 |
To distinguish his knives from copies, the company founder decides to use the cross and shield, today's Victorinox emblem, on all pocket knives from this date on. |
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1909 |
After the death of his mother, the company founder chooses her first name "Victoria" as the company name. |
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1921 |
Stainless steel is invented (also known as "inox"). The new brand name "Victorinox" is produced by combining "inox" with the name "Victoria". |
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1931 |
The company Brown Boveri sets up the world's first fully electric hardening stove at Victorinox.
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1945 |
After the Second World War, the PX shops of the US Army, Marines and Air Force sell the "Swiss Officer's Knife" in large quantities to their officers and soldiers. The Americans call it the "Swiss Army Knife" for short, a term that has stuck in all English-speaking regions. |
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1969 |
Part of household and professional knife production is housed in a new five-storey building. |
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1980 |
The largest expansion project so far increases the size of the production, office and storage areas from 11,000 to 27,000 m². A workforce of 730 achieves sales of over CHF 65 million. |
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1989 |
The launch of Swiss Army watches in America is highly successful. |
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1992 |
The company opens the first of its own sales offices in Japan. In the years that follow, further subsidiaries are founded in Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Hong Kong/China, Vietnam and Chile. |
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1999 |
To strengthen the Victorinox brand and broaden its appeal, a range of luggage is developed. This is manufactured under license and following strict quality regulations. |
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1999 |
The founding of Victorinox Watch SA in Bonfol expands the watch division. |
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2000 |
The Victorinox Foundation is established. Its aim is to secure jobs for the long term and maintain financial independence. |
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2001 |
A leisure and business clothing collection is developed for the North American market. Offering the same high quality standards as the "Swiss Army Knife", it meets with considerable acclaim. |
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2001 |
All five Victorinox product categories - pocket tools, household and professional knives, watches, luggage and clothing - are presented together for the first time in a flagship store in Soho, New York. |
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2002 |
Victorinox becomes sole shareholder of Swiss Army Brands Inc. in the USA. Its sales therefore exceed CHF 400 million for the first time. |
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2005 |
The takeover of Wenger SA, Delémont in the Jura region, knife manufacturer since 1893 and also a supplier of the Swiss army, is intended to secure the ongoing further development of the "Swiss Army Knife" and the future of its Swiss-based production. |
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2006 |
Relocation of Watch factory to Porrentruy |
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2007 |
Repositioning of Victorinox Swiss Army Fragrance with Victorinox Emblem |
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