Glutz celebrates 150 years

Global secure access solutions leader celebrates 150th anniversary.

Glutz, the most traditional of Swiss enterprises, is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The success story began in 1863 with the establishment of a lock factory by Viktor Glutz-Blotzheim. Today, the company which is still under family ownership and employs 270 staff at its offices in Solothurn, is one of the leading, global specialist for secure and innovative access solutions.

The mid-sized company kicked off its 150th jubilee celebrations with a gala event on 13 June which is to be followed by an "open day" on 7 September when members of the public will be invited to tour the manufacturing facility.

The tagline for a special logo that has been commissioned for the jubilee: "Secure, innovative, consistent", reflects the values that have guided Glutz during its first 150 years.

Viktor Glutz-Blotzheim (1821-1878): a pioneering spirit

The son of a city Councillor and member of Solothurn's aristocracy, Viktor Glutz-Blotzheimhe was inspired by the belief in progress that was a feature of late-nineteenth century Switzerland. In 1858, he set up a mechanised carpentry workshop which was followed shortly afterwards by a wood parquet flooring factory. However, when political tensions between Switzerland and France hindered the importation of locks and fittings used for the production of doors made at the workshop, the innovative entrepreneur decided to produce these items himself. With the founding of the lock factory in 1863, Viktor Glutz-Blotzheim laid the foundations for the enterprise that is still located on the original site of his workshop.

From innovative strength to the Swiss technology leader

In the following decades, Glutz expanded the Solothurn site continuously via the addition of a metal foundry, butt hinge production facility and galvanising plant. Factory buildings erected in 1897 for the grinding workshop (and were only demolished in 1986) were one of Switzerland's earliest industrial plants. The factory was powered by electricity from 1905 and was connected into Solothurn's gas network in 1916.

In the 20^th century, Glutz continued its innovative streak.

Company Milestones

Today, Glutz products are found in buildings across Switzerland where the company's share of the market for door locks is above 65 per cent.

Yet Glutz is more than a lock manufacturer. During the course of implementing a new holding structure in 1991, the company's Board of Directors identified three key business fields: (a) the manufacture of lock and fittings; (b) the production of industrial components; and (c) the manufacture of heating components.

From metal lock to "intelligent" fitting

The 1990s heralded new opportunities for the development of locking systems that would combine mechanical and electrical components to offer "complete" security solutions. Glutz played a central part in the development, production and marketing of the new breed of intelligent entry system and associated biometric solutions.

The company was to facilitate building entry access across the world by means of single medium (entry code, fingerprint and door card) solutions.

In 2012 Glutz introduced a new concept into the Swiss market in the form of its radio-controlled entry system, "eAccess", which has set new industry standards. With a few mouse clicks, access authorisation for doors - whether in domestic or large commercial buildings - is regulated precisely using software installed on a computer. Intelligent fittings have thus become a reality.

Regionally rooted, internationally present

With 270 employees, Glutz is firmly rooted in Solothurn where the company is identified closely with the city's industrial past. Consistency and allegiance to its values distinguish the company's culture. Glutz is committed to Switzerland as its production base and to progressive social benefits (in 1940 it was one of the first companies in Switzerland to introduce a 5-day week). The company received the prestigious Solothurn Enterprise Award in 2004 in commemoration of its achievements.

Subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Great Britain and Singapore are managed from the Solothurn headquarters.

The quality of Glutz's production facility ensures the company's involvement with prestigious construction projects from Europe to the Middle and Far East. In co-operation with leading architects, Glutz has equipped, amongst other buildings, the Oslo Opera House, Tate Gallery in London and Federal Assembly in Berlin with stainless steel fittings which set a strong, aesthetic accent.

Glutz looks to the future with confidence. With two, mainstay, product areas (access systems which provide a continuous solution for single-source building entry, and industrial components which include "Toby" oil regulators and control units that have earned an international reputation for quality), the company is well positioned to continue Viktor Glutz-Blotzheim's legacy into the 21^st century.

Behind the scenes at "Glutz City"

To mark its anniversary, Glutz has redesigned its Solothurn site, "Glutz City", and invites readers to visit its new manufacturing facility for the company's Open Day on 7 September. Craftsmanship at its finest will be on display with Glutz employees casting brass fittings in traditional sand moulds and creating "retro" fittings. A highlight of the day will be the "World of Experience"; a thematic, illustrated presentation of the company's history and products.