Von Roll

Von Roll Holding AG

Type	Limited Corporation
Founded	1803
Headquarters	Breitenbach, Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland
Key people	Dr. Christian Hennerkes (CEO) Dr. Peter Kalantzis (Chairman) Stephan Kellmann (CFO)
Number of employees	1703 (31.12.2016)
Website	www.vonroll.com

Von Roll Holding AG is a Swiss industrial group that operates worldwide in 29 sites (17 production sites). As one of Switzerland’s longest-established industrial companies, Von Roll focuses today on products and systems for electrical applications such as power generation, transmission and storage as well as e-mobility and industrial applications.

Von Roll has its roots in the Eisenwerke der Handelsgesellschaft der Gebrüder Dürholz & Co. (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 (1771–1839) and Jakob von Glutz. In May 1823, Ludwig von Roll founded the Gesellschaft der Ludwig von Roll'schen Eisenwerke which benefited from industrialization and railroad construction that demanded much iron.

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.

Von Roll Holding AG is a Swiss industrial company that is active worldwide and today focuses on products and systems for electrical applications such as power generation, transmission, distribution and storage as well as components for the automotive, railway and aircraft industry, e-mobility, presses, ovens, domestic appliances and a variety of other industrial applications.

Today Von Roll Holding AG and its subsidiaries focus their operating activities on the Insulation and Composites segments and the Water and Wastewater management business unit. The company has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1987, under the symbol ROL. Von Roll Holding AG is represented by approximately 1,700 employees at 29 locations in 14 countries, and achieved sales of CHF 328 million in 2016 (see Finance report on www.vonrollgroup.com/en). Historically, Von Roll was principally known for its ironworks and foundries.

Von Roll is a global market leader in the areas of insulation products and systems for the electrical machinery industry as well as in the production of composite materials and components for industrial applications. In addition, Von Roll provides thermal and fire-resistant insulation products, which are used in cable manufacturing and in the electronics industry. Von Roll therefore covers the entire value creation chain, from engineering and production to application.