International Distributors
History
1840
1852
1853
1858
1866
1877
1879
1907
1937
1957
1960
1984
1990
1995
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2006
2007
2009
2012
2013
2014
2015
2017
2020
2021
1840 Company founding
The master craftsman Abraham Schweizer founds the company Asif in the town of Fürth/Germany, an important centre for optical production in the Kingdom of Bavaria at the time. The name Asif is an acronym for „Abraham Schweizer in Fürth”.At first, he makes optical and metal toys (holder of the yo-yo patent) and soon adds spectacle frames made from a range of different metals.
1852 Expansion of product range
The eyewear assortment is expanded to include mass-produced spectacles imported from France. The Bavarian government sends A. Schweizer to Paris to find out more about new production methods. He persuades Eduard Buverier, a spectacle maker, to move to Fürth.
1853 Expansion of production capacities
Schweizer and Buverier establish the “Königlich Bayerische Privilegierte Stahlbrillen-Fabrik” (Royal Bavarian Metal-Rimmed Spectacles Manufactory) which focuses mainly on steel-rimmed spectacles and lorgnettes.To respond to the mass-produced French eyewear flooding the market, Schweizer headhunts spectacle makers and mechanics in Morez, France. The company switches from manual to industrial production.
1858 Metal-rimmed spectacles
200 employees make around 1200 metal-rimmed spectacles per week.
1866 A. Schweizer dies
Abraham Schweizer dies and his wife Karoline and their two sons, Max and Albert, continue to run the company. Production doubles and annual turnover increases to 200,000 Bavarian gulden.
1877 Spectacle lens production
The owners of Schweizer acquire a disused mirror glass grinding shop in Forchheim and set up their own lens production.
1879 Succession planning
A. Schweizer’s son-in-law Simon Hummel joins the management team. By now, spectacle lenses are exported in large volumes to other countries, including France.
1907 Relocation to Forchheim
The administration also relocates to Forchheim and the Fürth site is abandoned.
1960 New company location
Brothers Ludwig and Hans Schüttinger are appointed as managing directors. New company headquarters are erected in the south of Forchheim housing glass grinding and injection moulding shops, quality control, administration, warehouse and dispatch department.
1984 Addition of a plastic injection moulding facility
An additional production facility is set up at the site, enabling the company to work with new lens materials (PMMA).
1990 MODULAR
Launch of the world’s first modular magnifier system with interchangeable magnification heads which make it highly versatile and easy to use. Thanks to its clever design, it just takes a single click to mount the required magnification module. In addition, the magnifying lens can be tilted to either side for a comfortable reading posture.
1995 New managing partner
Alfred Schüttinger, the son of Ludwig Schüttinger, becomes managing partner.
1997 “Der LowVision-Spezialist”
SCHWEIZER adopts a new market position as the leading provider of specialist vision aids. Our First-Class Partner Programme becomes the first qualification system for German opticians in the low vision sector. SCHWEIZER promotes products for the visually impaired under the slogan “When glasses are no longer enough...”.
1999 MODULAR mobil
The first modular illuminated magnifier for portable use complements the modular system. Thanks to its handy size, it is small enough to fit into every pocket or bag, making it the ideal companion in every situation. The swivel-mounted magnification heads can be variably adjusted to any angle. Another major advantage is its automatic light focus function.
2000 ÖKOLUX
ÖKOLUX is the world’s first LED illuminated stand magnifier featuring eco-friendly LED technology in an innovative design. The light emitting diodes provide very bright, high-contrast lighting that evenly spreads across the reading material for clear and crisp images. Thanks to its low energy consumption, the batteries rarely need changing.The small, handy ÖKOLUX mobil LED illuminated hand magnifier with ergonomically curved handles is the ideal companion when on the go. The design has been adapted to the user’s direction of gaze.
2001 MODULAR TV color
Connecting directly to mains power and a standard TV, it is the first magnifier worldwide to transfer high-contrast images in brilliant colours to the TV screen. The integrated high-quality camera can also be used on uneven backgrounds. A choice of three colour modes is available to view texts: black on white, white on black and true colour mode.
2002 MODULAR mobil LED
The MODULAR mobil LED model is a highly versatile and easy-to-use portable magnifier with patented light focus function. It tilts the LED lighting automatically to the correct position for the relevant magnification head and thus ensures perfect lighting. The magnification head can be swivelled smoothly to the required position where it clicks into place.
2003 KRYPTOLUX
The innovative KRYPTOLUX illuminated magnifier provides maximum reading and viewing support. The specifically developed Krypton bulb features glare-free, high-contrast lighting for even illumination and maximum brightness. It comes with an AC adapter for longer bulb life. For the first time, a choice of three types of light temperatures is available to provide the ideal contrast for each user.
2006 Photovoltaics array
SCHWEIZER installs the region’s biggest photovoltaic array (CO² savings of 61,400 kg) and replaces its old oil-fired heating system with a powerful woodchip heating station. In 2011, the solar array is expanded and a storage building for woodchips is built. The company now produces 385,000 kWh of electricity from a total surface area of 2,400 m2. This is the annual electricity requirement for the in-house production of magnifying visual aids.
2007 ERGO-Line
SCHWEIZER sets the standards once again: the ERGO-Line is the world’s first ergonomic range of magnifiers and improves the quality of everyday life for users. Its ergonomic handle is tailored to fit into the hand and form a comfortable angle between hand and magnifier. In addition to providing stabilising support, it also features a balanced weight distribution to ensure relaxed reading. Today, all models in this product range offer a choice of three light temperatures.
2009 ÖKOLUX plus
Designed to meet the highest individual requirements, the ÖKOLUX plus and ÖKOLUX plus mobil feature SMD LEDs in three light temperatures. The models combine bright, high-contrast LED lighting with low energy consumption and ergonomic handling. Thanks to its compact design, ÖKOLUX plus mobil is the ideal companion for people with low vision in every situation.
2012 AMD-Comfort
SCHWEIZER introduces special spectacle lenses for people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A new, specially developed filter largely protects the eye from harmful UV light while attenuating the transmission of the aggressive blue portion of visible daylight. Users of AMD-Comfort lenses find it easier to perceive details – giving them greater confidence and improving their quality of life. AMD-Comfort lenses are available as single vision, bifocal, progressive lenses, and as fit-over spectacles.
2013 ERGO-Lux MP
The models in this range of LED illuminated magnifiers feature a Multi-Power light option with an innovative boost switch. They can be perfectly adjusted to individual lighting requirements. Thanks to the boost switch with two brightness levels, the light intensity can be increased by 50 percent. The correct distance between lens and object promotes a comfortable posture and relaxed reading.
2014 Optik-Akademie
The Internet-based training and information platform covers all aspects of low vision care and offers practical online training in low vision – accessible from anywhere at any time. It marks a significant addition to the classroom-based continuous education programme that started in 1997.
2015 ERGO-Lux MP mobil
ERGO-Lux MP mobil is a small all-round hand magnifier in an innovative design. It can be used by people with low vision and glasses wearers alike, or indeed by anyone who just wants to benefit from a magnifier despite their good vision. Handy, extra-bright and easy to use with many carefully designed control elements to meet every need.Part of the site is redesigned: green oases are created in a landscaped area that employees like to make use of in their breaks.
2017 ERGO-Lux i mobil
Based on its proven top-seller ERGO-Lux mobil, SCHWEIZER launches the world’s first LED illuminated magnifier with inductive charging instead of batteries – combining comfort with the latest technology.
2020 MULTILIGHT Pro
The innovative MULTLIGHT Pro lamp series with LED lighting has been developed with the needs of visually impaired people in mind. Available in multiple models, the lamps are exclusively produced at the company’ headquarters in Forchheim/Germany.By introducing FSC-certified brochures and catalogues while reducing and gradually changing over to more eco-friendly packaging materials for shipping and protective packaging, SCHWEIZER is taking important steps towards greater sustainability.
2021 SCHWEIZER low vision specialist programme
Under the heading “LowVision-Spezialist – Fachgeschäft für bestes Sehen”, SCHWEIZER launches an exclusive partnership programme with eye care professionals specialised in low vision solutions that makes their high level of expertise and SCHWEIZER’s extensive range of products more visible to end customers.
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