SFS has its origins in the Stadler hardware store founded in Altstätten in 1928. In 1949, a branch was opened in nearby Heerbrugg. Motivated by supply bottlenecks, Josef Stadler and Hans Huber decided to set up their own screw manufacturing facility and together founded SFS Presswerk AG in 1960. The production was carried out by cold forming (also called “cold forging”).
Both trading and manufacturing activities were continuously expanded in the following decades. From 1971, the company built up an international network of market organizations. In 1993, the activities were combined under the umbrella of SFS Holding AG, and in 2014 the name was changed to SFS Group AG. Today, the activities are divided into the three segments Engineered Components, Fastening Systems and Distribution & Logistics.
While the trading and logistics area remained largely focused on Switzerland (Distribution & Logistics), the manufacturing area today comprises around 70 distribution and/or production sites worldwide (Engineered Components and Fastening Systems). Through various acquisitions, SFS was able to expand its competence portfolio to include plastic injection molding technology, deep drawing and blind riveting technology (through the acquisition of GESIPA Group).
On September 1, 2012, SFS acquired Singapore-based Unisteel Technology Group, which is active in the field of miniature fasteners (for example for cell phones and hard drives) and has production facilities in Malaysia and China. SFS thus became a supplier of screws for Apple’s iPhone. Although SFS itself produces miniature screws, which with a diameter of 0.5 mm are among the thinnest in the world, it was increasingly losing market share due to the continuous churn in the cell phone industry. By acquiring the Unisteel Technology Group, SFS consolidated its position in its market segment. With the construction of another plant in Nansha (CN), the company is increasing screw production in Asia. SFS has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since May 7, 2014.
With the 2016 acquisitions of Stamm (Switzerland) and Tegra Medical (USA), SFS has strengthened its position in the growing medical technology industry. This gives SFS access to a large, largely complementary portfolio of customers.
