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In the mid-sixties, Walter Sauter founded the mechanical workshop Sawab in Bern.
Towards the end of the 1960s, his son Rolf began to develop pneumatic gripper feeders.
In parallel, Sommer Automation is developing pneumatic components. Thanks to complementary interests, a collaboration between Sawab and Sommer Automation will emerge later.
In 1980, Sawab becomes a public limited company and the company moves to new premises in Belp.
The development of electric roll feeds begins under Fritz Sorg. Josef Bühler from JBG develops a control system for this.
Andreas Zehnder sells the machines and systems. Friedhelm Sommer distributes the products in Germany via Sommer Automation.
In 1989, Andreas Zehnder and Friedhelm Sommer founded the company Zehnder & Sommer.
At the beginning, the focus was on the distribution of Sawab gripper and roller feeders. In addition to Sawab feeders, the company also sells products from Sommer Technik. Andreas Zehnder & Friedhelm Sommer also push sales in Germany.
An innovative and successful period follows. The product range is continuously expanded to meet the needs of the stamping and forming industry. Soon, roll feeders from Repasa, as well as decoilers, lubrication systems and complete processing lines complete the product range.
Zehnder & Sommer's first location is in Schmitten. In the mid-nineties, the company moves to Bösingen. From the end of the 1990s, sales in Germany are supplemented by a branch in the Ruhr area.
The early death of Andreas Zehnder at the end of 2000 confronts the company with major organisational challenges. For the purpose of succession, the sole proprietorship is converted into a public limited company with Messrs Sommer and Kammermann. In the following years, the sales first joins the supplier Repasa in GKZ Holding, followed by the integration of Sawab's production. The reorganisations are always followed by departures of owners until Messrs Gross and Zimmermann (formerly Repasa) take over the management of the company.
At the end of 2009, the investment company AB Tell takes over the small group of companies, merges them into the new Zehnder & Sommer AG. The economic crisis and the strong Swiss franc are weighing on the company.
At the end of 2013, Erich Lohner took over the shares from AB Tell and then began the necessary restructuring.
In autumn 2015 Zehnder & Sommer moved to its new location in Burgdorf. A modern infrastructure, more office space and the central location near the technical universities and the transport axes should provide ideal conditions for the planned development of the company. After a recapitalisation at the end of 2017, the new development can then be properly initiated.
As of 2018, the focus is on innovation and market expansion; particularly on the development of sophisticated high-tech products for growth markets.
At the same time, organisation and sales will be expanded. From 2018 onwards, in addition to the German subsidiary's headquarters in Witten, a branch office will be operated in the Stuttgart area.
In 2023, Zehnder & Sommer AG takes over the activities of AK Safety-Mechatronics. This will strengthen the capacity for service in Germany and worldwide and supplement the competence in the area of press lines and automation, as well as safety consulting.
