Métaux Précieux SA Métalor

The Metalor Group, previously "Métaux Précieux SA Métalor", founded in 1852, has become one of the major world suppliers of precious metals related products & procedures. It has one of the most advanced R&D department and refinery of precious metals, making a wide array of alloys fitting any specific need of the industry, especially for the watch and jewellery industry, supplying many of the most reputed Swiss Watch Brands, although it has expended its activities far beyond its primary sector.

History

Preliminary Rolling Factory

In 1852 Martin de Pury & Cie founded the "Preliminary Rolling Factory" at Le Locle, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, which specialized in the melting of gold and the manufacture of watch cases. In 1864 the factory, which then had a staff of five, was acquired by the Bank of Le Locle.

Start of the Refining of Gold

Soon after being taken over by the Société de Banque Suisse (SBS) in 1918, the workshop - which by now had some thirty employees - started refining precious metals and producing bank ingots.

Métaux Précieux SA Métalor

The SBS subsidiary, Métaux Précieux SA Metalor, a name it was to retain for 65 years, was founded in 1936. Developing its production activities first at the Neuchâtel site, and then in other countries throughout the world, Metalor was to remain in the bank's ownership until 1998, when its majority ownership was taken over by a group of private industrial investors and reorganised to become nowadays :

Métalor Group

As of April 2001 the designation "Metalor Technologies" has been incorporated in the names of all Metalor Group companies. The Metalor Group is based in Switzerland with subsidiaries in 15 countries over the world. The company is composed by four divisions:

Refining

Metalor's Division is an industrial organisation specialized in the evaluation and refining of precious metals of both primary and secondary origin.

Watches and Jewellery

Metalor's Division, reference and leader in the domain of precious metals alloys for the Swiss luxury watch industry, supplies the watch industry with its highly sophisticated alloys which are being used for the production of watch cases watch bands or (watch bracelets), movement bridges, watch hands and many other watch components.

Advanced Coatings

Metalor's Advanced Coatings Division is a precious metal focused organization that develops coatings used in a wide variety of businesses such as general electronics, semiconductor applications, decorative and multi-disciplinary industrial sectors (medical, advertising, etc.).

Electrotechnics

Metalor's Division transforms precious metals into electrical contacts which improve the safety and durability of electrical equipment (circuit breakers, switches, relays, etc.) for use in such markets as electrical distribution, numerical or analog control, transportation and household appliances.

technology products

The Technology Products Department regroups Metalor's product lines based on new and innovating applications of precious metals. It focuses on products for growth markets starting with research and development up to large scale production. This department currently comprises the activities related to precious metal powders.

Spin Off : Metalor Dental

Metalor Dental had not been integrated into the Metalor Group : it has now, dating January 1, 2009, been merged into Cendres & Métaux, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. (See: [1]

Competitors In Switzerland supplying products to the Watch & Jewellery Industry

• [2] Argor Heraeus, Mendrisio
• [3] Cendres & Métaux Group, Biel/Bienne
• [4] PAMP SA, Castel San Pietro
• [5] Précinox SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
• [6] Valcambi SA, Balerna

Global Competitors

• [7] Cookson Group
• [8] Heraeus AG
• [9] Johnson Matthey Plc

Neutral Sources & References

• [10] pdf Info Page on Metalor Group
• [11] Info Page on Metalor
• [12] European Chamber of Commerce Taipei

Metalor Group Sources & References

• [13] Métalor's Official Home Page
• Answers.com Metalor U.S.A.