| 2008 |
After a two-year project phase the dönermat (Kebab cutter) is brought on the market.
Market launch of SliceSy in Japan.
Market launch of bamix in Korea. |
| 2007 |
Market launch of bamix in Russia and China.
Introduction of Bamix Gastro 2 in different countries. |
| 2002 |
For decades we were forced to say: "Bamix® can do everything but it can not slice
nor grate". Now, after 3 yeas of intensive development and extensive testing, the
new "SliceSy" does all this work with perfection. Moreover the new attachment is
easy to handle and easy to clean...the typical Bamix® advantages. This new
attachment is certainly a milestone in the history of Bamix®.
This year is another important year in the interesting history of Bamix®. The three
owners get older and they wish to assure the future of the product and the
company. Their profile of a buyer and successor is straight forward: it must be
assured that the corporate policy so far (centring around the word "quality") finds
a continuation. Mr. Erich Eigenmann intends to do exactly this and an agreement
is quickly reached. As of October 1, 2003 Mr. Eigenmann starts his activities as the
new Mr. Bamix®. |
| 2001 |
The book "50 Klassiker – Design des 20. Jahrhunderts" (50 classic designs of the
20th century) is published. We are proud that the ESGE Zauberstab® is
prominently mentioned in this book together with products like Levi's Jeans, Bikini,
Chanel N° 5, Concorde, Swatch, Sony Walkman, Lego and others."Swiss Line", the successor of the Bamix® top model "Cassette" is launched. The
entirely splash proof construction with the "soft grip" switch and the futuristic
design of the "Swiss Line" stand meet very positive reactions in the market. |
| 1998 |
A journalist of "De Telegraaf" enters the shop of our distributor in the Netherlands.
He actually wants to buy a new Bamix® but takes along his more than 30 years old
defective Bamix®. He can hardly believe it but he leaves the shop with his repaired
old Bamix®. After some further researches on the product and the company he
publishes a double page article in the Sundays edition. In the following days the
phones of our distributor run hot. Not just readers who want to order but also
customers who proudly want to say that "me too am using a very old Bamix®". |
| 1995 |
Das design of Bamix® was created in 1961. It may well be described as one of the
outstanding industrial designs of history (also see 2001). No basic change in
design was made during all these years but now it receives a "soft" re-design by a
Swiss designer. At the same time the new Twin Security Switch is introduced and
the Cassette also receives a more modern shape. |
| 1994 |
For most people it is hard to believe when they realise that ESGE produces on type
of appliance only – and this since 40 years.
Not long ago the Iron Curtain collapsed and now we have the possibility to
introduce the Bamix® in the former communist countries (i.e. Hungary, Russia,
Poland). |
| 1950 |
A Swiss, Monsieur Roger Perrinjaquet invents an entirely new type of kitchen
appliance. On 6th March 1950 he applies for a patent for an "appareil ménager
portatif" [hand-held kitchen appliance]. The application describes the worlds first
stick (or wand) mixer. He calls the new appliance "Bamix®", an abbreviation of
the French "battre et mixer" (beat and mix). |
| 1993 |
Since quite some years Bamix® is sold in Japan and the really demanding
consumers are very satisfied with our quality. Based on this the largest Japanese
direct selling company includes Bamix® (as their first outside product) in their
selling program.
After some years full of problems with various distributors Kevin and Alison Gilbert
take over the distributorship in Great Britain. Five years later they realise a
fantastic sales record at the London IDEAL HOME exhibition. |
| 1991 |
Various professional chefs ask us to produce a Bamix® "just 5 cm longer". After
very long practical tests in hotel kitchens we launch the "Bamix® GASTRO" – a
model for professionals which becomes more successful than we had expected.
In the same year the Swiss Bamix® distributor becomes part of the Bamix® group
of companies. |
| 1990 |
George McBride is specialised in demonstration selling in Canadian Fairs. We reject
his first order for Bamix® with the argument that Bamix® does not meet Canadian
regulations (which – if met - would degrade our Bamix® to a ordinary stirrer).
George tells us that the regulations had just been altered and we supply our first
Bamix® to Canada.
UNOLD Gmbh, one of the German sub-distributors takes over the distributorship
"retail" for the German market. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Mr. and Ms.
Unold (and later their children and children-in-law) the Zauberstab® regains its
former prominent position in German retail. |
| 1989 |
One person from ESGE and a local student present and demonstrate the Bamix® at
the Swiss Fair in Seoul/Korea. We meet with exceptional interest and find a local
distributor. Three years later - after some start-up problems – the demand
becomes so important that we have to ship most of the units by air. |
| 1987 |
We all know that thousands of professional chefs use the Bamix® in their kitchen.
What we do not know is the fact that German TV broadcasts the program "cooking
like God in Germany". We also do not know that most of the famous cooks who
participate took along their Zauberstab® and use it for their recipes. – Only when a
customer makes us aware of this we understand why suddenly orders from
Germany increase in a way that we run into capacity problems. |
| 1986 |
After many years of very hard work Mr. Bodart (who owned the company for 15
years) wants to ease off. In a management buyout the 3 managers – Mr. Max
Rüttimann (Techniques), Valentin Gunsch (Finances), und Werner Stahl
(Marketing) take over the ownership the company. Mr. Bodart remains President
for many years to come.
In the same year the Bamix® Processor is launched. This attachment allows the
grinding not only of dry but also of wet ingredients. |
| 1984 |
Bamix® celebrates its 30th birthday. No doubt, there are not many electrical
household items which reach this age and which are still becoming more and more
popular. |
| 1983 |
Thanks to very great efforts of the promotion and sales teams in Australia Bamix®
reaches its highest per capita turnover worldwide. Sales in Thailand grow steadily
and sales in Sri Lanka reach rather unexpected heights. The daily production
reaches 1'600 units. |
| 1982 |
First contacts are made with a company in Sri Lanka and in Santiago/Chile one of
our teams demonstrates the Bamix®. |
| 1981 |
Bamix® is sold in fairs in South Africa, Hong Kong and Brunei. |
| 1980 |
In the early 80sa Japanese lady purchases a Bamix® from our (not very
successful) distributor. She works with the Bamix® and elaborates many Japanese
and even European recipes. Ms. Sakurako Ide falls in love with the appliance and
showes it to her friends........who themselves want to buy this fantastic machine.
Soon Ms. Ide does some cooking parties with friends who for their part start with
parties – and thus raise interest for the Bamix®. sales grow steadily. Consequently
Ms. Ide becomes the exclusive distributor of Bamix® for Japan. Dedication and
hard work of our Japanese friends have made Bamix® a real success story - and
this in a market with the most demanding consumers. |
| 1979 |
In this year Bamix® is demonstrated in a large number of fairs, so in Malta,
Cyprus, Greece, Malaysia and Indonesia. Production in the plant rises steadily. |
| 1978 |
The next show outside of Europe takes place in Singapore. Our new Singapore
distributor has quite some doubts because of our relatively high price in this very
competitive market. However, Singaporeans also fall in love with this versatile
high quality kitchen appliance.
In the same month a Bamix® team travells to Los Angeles and demonstrates there
successfully for four weeks, from morning till night.
This year with more than 3'000 units sold the Amsterdam show exceeds the
previous record of the Brussels show. |
| 1977 |
In August 1977 ESGE participates in the Melbourne Home Show. This first non-
European exhibition is so successful (close to 1'000 units) that additional Bamix®
have to be flown to Melbourne during the Show. Consequently our Australian
distributor founds Bamix® Australia Ltd. and soon Bamix® becomes one of the
most well known brands in this country. At the same time as the Melbourne Show,
another team demonstrates the Bamix® successfully at a show in
Reykjavik/Iceland. |
| 1975 |
The model "Cassette" is added to the range of models. The Cassette enables the
storage of Bamix® with all its parts clearly arranged in one place.
In Germany the once so successful consumer fairs are made sporadically only. This
sales channel is now been taken care of by a specialised company and Mr. Rathke
succeeds to increase sales in this channel very considerably in the years to come. |
| 1974 |
Up to now Bamix® was practically sold in Europe only. The boom years following
world war 2 are already history and the first recession (triggered off by the oil
crisis) has become reality. In 1974 a South African company starts selling the
Bamix® and realises respectable sales. The formerly so important German market
recovers very slowly and Zauberstab® is present only in retail. For the first time in
some years sales in Germany surpass those of the ten times smaller Switzerland
(!). |
| 1972 |
Bamix® sales are back to an annual turnover of more than 100'000 units. |
| 1971 |
General Electric decides to sell the ESGE group. At that time Mr. Bodart is the
most important customer for Bamix® (approx. 2/3 of the sales). He represents
Bamix® in BENELUX, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Great Britain and
Ireland. Mr. Bodart buys the plant in Switzerland and all rights for Bamix® and
Zauberstab®. Thus ESGE in Mettle becomes the only production plant for Bamix®.
The first step Mr. Bodart takes is to reduce bureaucratic machinery.
The business philosophy followed by Mr. Bodart is very simple: quality above
quantity – and – concentration on one product only….and no red tape! These
basics are still in use today. |
| 1967 |
From a low level the Bamix® sales slowly increase. In the Foire de Bruxelles they
sell 2'000 Bamix®, so far the highest ever realised turnover in a fair. |
| 1964 |
Mr. Gschwend and Spingler sell their company to "General Electric", the largest
producer of electrical goods in USA. The Americans try to get the company. back
on its feet and close down most of the factories – only Mettlen/Switzerland and
Neuffen/Germany remain. |
| 1963 |
In Germany the output capacity is increased and in Japan the trading company
NIPPON ESGE K.K. is founded.
Since 1958 some other products (small vacuum cleaners, citrus presses, toasters,
meat slicers, electrical plate warmers, hair driers) had been added to the
production and/or sales program. Although sold under the ESGE these products
never become successful. In Germany, representing 2/3 of the total turnover,
sales are nearly ground to a halt. By contrast the administrative machinery had
developed into a considerable size. |
| 1962 |
The bamixes produced up to now top the million. Production under Licence starts
in Italy and Spain. |
| 1961 |
Teams from The Netherlands and Belgium exhibit regularly in British shows and
this country quickly becomes the most important market for Bamix®. In effect for
some time production can not meet sales.
The shape of the Bamix® M 60 (60 Watt) is re-designed by Acton Bjorn (Denmark)
and Duke Sigvard Bernadotte (Sweden). Great importance is paid to arrive at an
anatomically appropriate form and the result of their work is the Model M 100.
Even now, 50 years later and despite of many technical improvements and detail
alterations the original form can still be clearly recognised. |
| 1960 |
ESGE – Export in Glarus (Switzerland) is founded and becomes responsible for
exports to member countries of EFTA (European Free Trade Association) – i.e.
Great Britain, Finland, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland and Ireland). –
Administration is centralised and taken care of by the newly founded ESGE
International in Zurich. Further, ESGE France is founded and produces for the EEC
(European Economic Community) countries Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg
and France.
In November 1960 ESGE AG, a further production company is founded: and a
factory building (former textile factory built in 1906) is bought in
Mettlen/Switzerland (north eastern / German speaking part of Switzerland). In
the course of the year production of Bamix® commence at a daily rate of 250
units). |
| 1959 |
Collaborators of Bodart in Belgium load their utensils into their cars, drive to
Sweden and demonstrate at the consumer fair in Stockholm. The 834 Bamix® sold
in this fair exceed all previous sales in the country. Shortly afterwards a test is
made in the "Flower Show" in Oslo/Norway where incredible 1332 units are sold.
Based on this success Mr. Bodart sets up agencies in all Scandinavian countries. |
| 1958 |
A Swiss company in Basel is asked to investigate into the licence production of
Bamix® for the Swiss market. |
| 1957 |
Bodart BV is specialized in selling Kitchen appliances in consumer fairs (they do 60
of these fairs in the Netherlands. In a small fair in Valkenburg/NL they do trial
sales. Not only do they sell very well but they also come to realise that the most
effective way to convince potential customers of the usefulness of this small but
expensive appliance is "life demonstration"! In rapid succession Mr. Walter Bodart
is appointed Bamix® distributor for The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg.
Under the direction of the two sons of Mr. Bodart this company this company is
still the exclusive distributor for Bamix® in BENELUX. |
| 1955 |
On 24 April 1955 the new Bamix® wand mixer is presented for the first time to the
public at the Hanover International Fair. Soon after the new appliance is named
Zauberstab® (magic wand) for the German market. The company has already 74
collaborators and a turnover of 1.4 million German Mark. |
| 1954 |
Mr. Perrinjaquet sells the patent rights to ESGE who produce the first wand mixers
towards the end of this year. |
| 1953 |
Mr. and Spingler and Gschwend found the company ESGE (the name reflects the
first letters of their surnames as they are pronounced: S = ES and G = GE. In the
beginning the 7 collaborators produce bicycle stands electrical saws and small
electrical motors. |
| 1950 |
a Swiss, Monsieur Roger Perrinjaquet invents an entirely new type of kitchen
appliance. On 6th March 1950 he applies for a patent for an "appareil ménager
portatif" [hand-held kitchen appliance]. The application describes the worlds first
stick (or wand) mixer. He calls the new appliance "Bamix®", an abbreviation of
the French "battre et mixer" (beat and mix). |
