History

Peter Emil Huber-Werdmüller founds the Werkzeug- und Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (renamed Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon MFO in 1886). A 150-year success story begins with technology at its core.

Swiss Machine Tool Factory Oerlikon (SWO) is founded as the direct predecessor of Oerlikon-Bührle AG. From 1929 onwards, Emil Georg Bührle is the main shareholder of Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon (WO).

Rea Axline founds the Metallizing Engineering Company in New Jersey (USA). A few years later, this became METCO.

With the support of Prince Franz Josef II of Liechtenstein and Swiss industrialist Emil Georg Bührle, Professor Max Auwärter founds the Gerätebauanstalt Balzers. In 1976, Balzers AG is integrated into the Oerlikon Group.

Following a restructuring centered on technology, the company operated under the name 'Unaxis'.

With the announcement of the divestment of Barmag, Oerlikon completes its transformation into a pure-play company, which began in 2015. As the global market leader, Oerlikon will focus in future on its business with coatings, high-tech materials, components, and additive manufacturing.