When our founder Karl Elsener opened his cutler’s A in 1884 in Ibach, Switzerland, little did he know that the Swiss Army Knife he would soon create would become a global icon of preparedness, not only finding its way into everyday life but even into outer space.
Living up to our legacy as Makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife, we’ve been making well-thought-out products with precision and care for more than 140 years.
Today, Victorinox is a global company with five product categories: Swiss Army Knives, Household and Professional Knives, Watches, Travel Gear and Fragrances. Here are the important milestones in the history of our company.
Charitable endeavors
1993
Victorinox opens its first sales subsidiary in Japan.
1994
Establishment of Carl and Elise Elsener Gut Foundation with the mission to support national and international charitable projects.
1999
Market entry for "Travel Gear" with the American TRG Group as licensee.
Start of the new Millennium
2000
Establishment of the Victorinox Foundation which holds 90 % of the share capital of Victorinox AG. The remaining 10 % belongs to the non-profit Carl and Elise Elsener-Gut Foundation.
2001
Launch of a clothing line in the U.S. and opening of the first Victorinox store in Soho, New York.
2005
Acquisition of the long-standing Swiss knife and watch manufacturer Wenger SA in Delémont. Victorinox still operates the Wenger brand, focusing mainly on watches and travel gear items.
2013
Integration of the Wenger knife business into the Victorinox brand.
2014
Acquisition of the travel gear business from previous licensee and establishment of the new business unit Victorinox Travel Gear AG.
Opening of our flagship store in the heart of Zurich’s city center.
2016
Construction of the Watch Competence Center in Delémont, Switzerland.
2017
Production of 500-millionth "Original Swiss Army Knife™".
Discontinuation of Apparel to focus on the core product categories.
2020
Opening of the new European distribution center in Seewen, Switzerland.
Acquisition of Zena Swiss AG, traditional Swiss manufacturer of the economy peeler.
Opening of the first European Victorinox franchise Store in Vienna.
2022
125th Anniversary of the "Original Swiss Officer’s and Sports Knife"
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