Our company history
Tradition that creates the future
For more than 80 years, ISELI has been developing innovative solutions for sharpening technology. What began as a family business in 1945 is today a globally recognised specialist in sharpening machines, automation and complete filing room concepts.
In the third generation we combine Swiss precision with innovative strength and customer proximity. Together with tool manufacturers, sharpening services, sawmills and industrial companies we develop solutions that increase productivity, optimise processes and secure long-term success.
Every milestone in our history is shaped by the passion to make sharpening more efficient, more precise and more economical. This ambition still drives us today.
From 1945 to today
- 1945
Eduard Iseli-Graber Sr. and his sons Eduard and Beda found the general partnership Iseli & Co. – the foundation of a machine and tool building business that would grow into an international specialist.
- 1949
A literally sharper focus: Iseli specialises in sharpening and grinding machines for the wood and metal industries, laying the foundation for today’s core business.
- 1975
A new assembly hall expands Iseli’s production capacity in response to growing demand.
- 1978
By acquiring the stellite patents and introducing new stellite tipping machines for saw blades, Iseli sets a technological milestone that significantly extends blade life.
- 1985
World first: Iseli launches the first fully automatic stellite tipping machine and positions itself as the industry’s innovation leader.
- 1997
Certified quality: with the introduction of an ISO 9001 management system, Iseli commits to clearly documented and audited processes.
- 2000
A new warehouse and assembly hall in Schötz provides the space for the company’s next phase of growth.
- 2001
Another world first: the first fully automatic levelling centre combines levelling, tensioning and flattening in a single process – a leap in efficiency for customers.
- 2012
A technological breakthrough: the fully automatic top, face, chip breaker and side grinding machine for carbide-tipped circular saw blades performs all sharpening processes in a single clamping for the first time – more precise and faster than ever.
- 2013
Change of generation: Edi Iseli-Schärer hands over management to Philipp Iseli, ensuring continuity as a family business.
- 2017
A 6-axis industrial robot takes over: Iseli develops an automatic loading system for circular saws and consistently advances the automation of its own production.
- 2019
With the acquisition of the Vollmer Group’s wood band saw division, Iseli becomes the global market and technology leader and significantly expands its international presence.
- 2020
Production grows by 600 m², complemented by a new 5-axis milling centre with automatic loading that further increases capacity and precision.
- 2021
Iseli patents the Tooth Tracing System (TTS), revolutionising the drawing of tooth profiles – a milestone for accuracy and development speed.
- 2023
Expansion to Eastern Europe: the new subsidiary Iseli Europe Kft. in Sülysáp, Hungary, increases assembly and storage capacity and brings Iseli closer to European customers.
- 2024
More space for people and sales: a new staff lounge, meeting room and sales offices – investments in teamwork and customer service.
- 2025
80 years of ISELI & Co. AG: in the anniversary year ISELI commissions a new OKK machining centre with pallet changer for its own production, and the new BNR 100 levelling centre is launched.