History

A list of baptisms at St Peter's church in Zurich dated 1763 is the first time Johann Heinrich Wiser is mentioned as an ironmonger. Before this he was working as a book-keeper in the Eberfingen mine near Stühlingen until this closed. In Zurich, where he held citizenship, he was able to use his knowledge of materials to build up a modest business.

In 1788 David Wiser installs his business in a shed stuck on the wall of Zurich's Fraumünster like a swallow's nest. In an inventory, the original of which still exists, we can read that his business interests included iron, brass, steel, cast iron, tools and ironmongery. The list of accounts receivable already includes over 200 names.

In 1807 the son, Heinrich Wiser-Balber, joins his father's business as an employee. From1827 onwards he manages the company as a partner. The purchase of property during this period is important for the development of the company. Even in these early days the Wisers have the foresight to be guided by considerations of future growth. In 1835 Wiser acquired the "Zur Farb" building in the Münsterhof in Zurich; this serves as the company's head office until 1980.

The choice of the site in the Münsterhof in the middle of Zurich and the series of acquisitions of business and warehouse premises contributed in no small measure to the success of the business. But as it became evident during the 1950s that space in Zurich-Wollishofen was too small, the 6th generation decided to acquire land in Dietikon. The first land purchase was made in 1955. The initial stage of the relocation was in 1959 when the bending works moved from Wollishofen to Dietikon. 8 further halls were built and occupied by 1968.

Three years later the first sales departments also move to Dietikon. In the same year the new rebar bending works was constructed with an increased capacity. In 1975 the premises previously occupied by the old bending works was used to create the Beam Center, complete with automatic cutting facilities for beams (storage capacity: 4000 tons of beams and hollow sections).

Dieter Burckhardt and Dietrich Pestalozzi become partners in 1977. Two years later the legal form of the company was changed from a partnership to a joint stock company with the name Pestalozzi + Co AG. Andres Burckhardt becomes the first Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In the early 1980s Pestalozzi starts to buy into other trading and distribution companies. This results in the acquisition of the sites in Rapperswil, Schaffhausen and Wallisellen and the company's expansion into new business areas. The Pestalozzi building at Riedstrasse 1 in Dietikon is purchased. All departments are now housed under one roof. The rail connection and the Limmattal motorway interchange ensure that Dietikon is extremely well placed for access and distribution.

By 1987 the company is in urgent need of extra space so three new halls are built for steel

The company celebrates its 200th anniversary in 1988: Pestalozzi now has sales of CHF 200 million and employs 310 people. Dieter Burckhardt and Dietrich Pestalozzi take over the shares previously held by their fathers and therefore assume the top executive positions in the company.