Von Roll Holding AG

Infobox_Company
company_name = Von Roll Holding AG
company_name = Von Roll Holding AG
company_type = Limited Corporation
Founded = 1803
Company headquarters = Gerlafingen, Schweiz
Company management = Thomas P. Limberger
(CEO) and (Vice President)
Markus Scherbel
(CFO)
Employees = 2'086 (31.12.2007)

Von Roll Holding AG is a Swiss industrial group that operates worldwide, specializing in energy production.

History

Von Roll has its roots in the “Ironworks of the commercial firm of the Brothers Durholz & Co.” which was established in 1803. This firm was then taken over in 1810 by Von Roll & Cie, newly formed by Ludwig Freiherr von Roll and Jakob von Glutz.

Following this, the business developed into one of the most important industrial groups in Switzerland and reached its high point in the 1970s with more than 10,000 employees. But, like other Swiss companies, Von Roll suffered during the oil crisis of 1973 and the economic crisis it triggered. The company underwent financial restructuring after financial restructuring, seemingly without end. As recently as 2003, Von Roll had to fight for its survival. At the end of 2002, following the accumulated losses of previous years, Von Roll’s equity capital had shrunk to 10.3 million. But in 2004 the company initiated a new strategy to focus on the insulation business, beginning its turnaround.

Business divisions/company structure

Von Roll is a world leader in insulation products and systems for the electrical machinery industry as well as for composite materials and parts for various industrial applications. In addition, Von Roll also provides special thermal and fire resistant insulation products to the cable, electronics and other industries. Von Roll adds value to engineering, from the production of goods to their utilization.

Following the January 2008 takeover of Shenzhen Mica, Von Roll has presence in 18 countries and 32 sites with around 3,000 employees. Since 1987 the company has been listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange under the symbol ROL.

The structure of Von Roll AG is focuses on the two business areas of insulation products and systems for the electrical machinery industry (Electrical business area: High Voltage, Low Voltage, M-Tec) as well as composite materials and parts for various industrial applications (Industrial business area: Composites, cable, moulded parts).

Among Von Roll’s products are adhesive tapes, braided products, moulded parts, composite materials, flexible materials, manufacturing equipment, mica products, resins and varnishes, and wires.

Von Roll also offers different services in the area of consulting and testing. The company consults on the special design of working places, optimization of manufacturing processes, reorganization of production flow, layout of plants, turn key projects, reengineering of electrical insulation systems, introduction of complete electrical insulation systems as well as the training of operators and engineers.

Von Roll has at its disposal laboratories where it tests systems and materials in the field of electrical insulating materials. The laboratory in Breitenbach, Switzerland, specialises in the mechanical and electrical testing of high-voltage materials and systems. The laboratory in Schenectady, USA, specialises in all types of UL testing for low and medium voltages, mostly UL 1446 testing.

External links

*http://www.vonroll.com/