Setting the course for the future

Matthias Renner, previously Head of Project Management, is to become the new CEO.

Heinz Schönholzer takes over as Chairman of the Board of Directors

As of the beginning of January 2023, Heinz Schönholzer handed over operational management to Matthias Renner as CEO and took over as Chairman of the Board of Directors at GLAESER.

Sustainability and new structures

In 2013, GLAESER founded Projekt AG and merged with WOGG; in 2017, the company expanded into French-speaking Switzerland and invested in sustainability, including the installation of over 400 solar panels in Dättwil.

A young carpenter with excellent references

In 2009, GLAESER celebrated its 111th anniversary and established its own training department, the Jungschreiner Academy, as an investment in the future. This was followed in 2010 by the launch of the publication G-Style, which continues to showcase reference projects and client work on a regular basis to this day.

Customer focus and market development

In 2002, a fire in the northern part of the building caused three million Swiss francs’ worth of damage, necessitating extensive renovation work. In the same year, the succession was settled through a management buy-out by Heinz Schönholzer and Rudolf Renner, and under the new management, client advisory services, project management and market development were significantly strengthened.

Heinz Schönholzer joins the company

Around the turn of the millennium, customer needs underwent a significant shift. Comprehensive support became increasingly important. This change had a lasting impact on GLAESER and became much more pronounced from 1997 onwards with the arrival of Heinz Schönholzer as Willi Glaeser’s successor.

Impressive growth, even under a new name

In the late 1980s, GLAESER secured major contracts such as the Daimler-Benz headquarters and continued to grow rapidly. By 1990, the company employed 73 staff and achieved a turnover of 15 million Swiss francs – a huge leap forward since 1970.

A new dynamic with WOGG

In 1982, GLAESER expanded its premises and carried out extensive modernisation work. Shortly afterwards, Willi and Otto Glaeser launched the WOGG furniture collection, which enjoyed international success from 1983 onwards and was soon being exported to four continents. Sales were particularly strong in Japan.

Export business consolidates success

Under Willi Glaeser, the company significantly expanded its export business. In 1975, it exported outside Europe for the first time, to Libya. A year later, GLAESER secured a lucrative major contract for a hotel extension in Egypt. Since then, the company has been regularly and successfully active in the Middle East.

Willi Glaeser takes the helm

In 1970, Willi Glaeser Junior joined the company as operations manager and took over as managing director two years later. Under his leadership, the apprenticeship programme was expanded and the post-forming technique was developed, giving the company a new lease of life despite the oil crisis.

Successful despite adverse circumstances

In the 1970s, the oil crisis and a shortage of skilled workers hampered economic success. Nevertheless, things were moving forward for the Gläser brothers: they made their first exports in 1971.

GLAESER is built on

Construction of the new factory building began in 1967, and in 1969 the company moved to Dättwil. In doing so, GLAESER laid the foundations for further success and future challenges.

A revival following the war years

After the Second World War, GLAESER experienced a significant upswing. In 1960, the partnership became a public limited company, and the next generation began to play an increasingly active role in the business.

A generational transition in difficult times

Friedrich Gläser died in 1932, but his sons carried on the family business, supported by their mother. In 1934, Willy and Fritz Gläser founded Gebrüder Gläser; Otto joined them later, whilst from 1939 onwards the Second World War placed an additional strain on the carpentry trade.

First successes in the Baden spa district

Friedrich Gläser’s first workshop soon became too small. In 1918, he moved to 4 Kronengasse in Baden, where the business was so successful that the premises were extended towards the Limmat in 1923.

A pioneer arrives in Switzerland

At the end of the 19th century, Friedrich Gläser emigrated from Germany to Switzerland. In 1898, he set up his own business as a joiner and opened his workshop in the spa district of Baden – and so began the story of GLAESER.