GF’s story is an impressive tale illustrating how constant change is essential for any industrial company that wants to remain successful in the long run. The company has been through periods of extensive changes, all driven by a dedication to renewal. That dedication is also apparent in the process of constant improvements and innovations throughout all our core activities.

Take a journey through time and find out more about key milestones in our company’s history.

History from 2020

2024

GF Uponor becomes GF Building Flow Solutions. The division – built on the acquisition of Uponor late last year as well as the building technology segment of GF Piping Systems – is committed to finding new ways to conserve, manage and provide water responsibly. More information.
GF named one of Europe`s Climate Leaders 2024. In the fourth edition of Europe’s Climate Leaders, compiled by the Financial Times and Statista, GF stands out among the leading companies taking significant action to mitigate climate change. More information.
Commitment to net zero. In a significant step on the path to become a sustainability and innovation leader, GF announced its ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Within the next 24 months, GF will define net-zero targets in line with the 1.5-degree trajectory recommended in the Paris Agreement. More information .

2023

Uponor acquisition. 2023 was marked by the acquisition of Uponor, the biggest acquisition in the history of the company. GF increased its resilience while facing geopolitical instability, inflationary trends as well as substantial currency headwinds. More information.
Strong performance. Sales amounted to CHF 4.0 billion. Excluding Uponor, sales reached CHF 3.9 billion, 3.4% below 2022 on account of a currency impact of CHF 263 million. More information.
GF secures “A” score for transparency and performance on climate change. For its 2023 submission to the global rating agency CDP, GF secured the highest possible “A” score for transparency and performance on climate change, after the company was awarded an “A–” for three consecutive years. More information.
Walk for Water events hosted across GF locations worldwide. Thirteen GF locations in Switzerland, Germany, the US, Indonesia, the UK and China host GF Walk for Water events. Employees from around the world walk together with partners and customers to raise awareness and funds to help fight the global water crisis. The events raise a total of USD 525’000 which will be used by GF’s Clean Water Foundation to support humanitarian projects. More information.
GF hosts first-ever Global Sustainability Conference. GF held its first Global Sustainability Conference in Zurich, bringing together 160 participants who play an important role in driving sustainability in the company. Among the topics discussed, also with external speakers, are decarbonization, circular economy, diversity and inclusion, and health and safety. More information.
Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. For the first time in four years, the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting took place in person again at the IWC Arena in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) with 700 shareholders attending in person. GF shareholders approve all proposals. Michelle Wen and Monica de Virgiliis are elected to the Board of Directors. More information.
Opening of new GF headquarters in Switzerland. GF inaugurated its new headquarters in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) with an event for some 80 guests from business and politics, as well as a party for employees. After 12 months of extensive renovation and energy efficient refurbishment, the new offices feature modern open workspaces and co-working areas, as well as new technology to foster collaboration. More information.

2022

SBTi validates GF’s science-based targets. At the end of 2022, GF announced that the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) has validated its science-based targets to reduce the company`s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions along its value chain. More information.
Changes to the GF Board of Directors. GF announces that Monica de Virgiliis will be proposed as Board member at the GF Annual Shareholder`s Meeting (ASM) on 19 April 2023. Jasmin Staiblin will leave the Board when her current term ends due to GF`s 12-year limit on Board tenure. Riet Cadonau has decided for personal reasons not to stand for re-election at the 2023 ASM. More information.
GF hosts Capital Markets Day, focus on sustainable innovations. At its 6th Capital Markets Day held in Schaffhausen (Switzerland), GF offered a deep dive into its most promising innovations across its three divisions, driven by the latest sustainability and digitalization trends. More information.
GF to welcome top international industry executive to its Board of Directors. At the Annual Shareholders` Meeting in April 2023, the Board of Directors of GF proposed Ms. Michelle Wen for election as new board member. More information.
GF acquires machine tool service company in Italy. GF Machining Solutions acquires 100% of Italy-based Vam Control S.r.l., a step further in line with its Strategy 2025 to strengthen its milling and automation capabilities and expand its service offering in Europe. More information.
Annual Shareholders` Meeting approves all proposals. The 126th Annual Shareholders` Meeting of Georg Fischer AG – which took place without the personal attendance of shareholders – approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Ayano Senaha was elected as a new Member of the Board of Directors. More information.
Strong growth and increased profitability – focus on sustainability-driven markets. In 2021, the first year of the new strategy cycle 2021–2025, GF delivered a strong result in terms of profit and sales growth. The strategic focus on promising resilient end markets, especially those that center on sustainability, has powered the company’s performance over the year, supporting GF’s business model. GF weathered the persisting macroeconomic uncertainties well, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the semiconductor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and increasing raw material prices.

Order intake exceeds CHF 4 billion, up 28% year-over-year. Strong 17% sales increase to CHF 3`722 million (organically +16%). Operating result (EBIT) reached CHF 278 million, up 50% compared with EBIT before one-offs in 2020. The Strategy 2025 was successfully launched, focusing on sustainable end markets, such as water treatment, e-mobility and MedTech. More information.

2021

CDP ranking. In December 2021, the London-based CDP rating agency awarded GF an A– rating (leadership level) for its efforts regarding climate change and water security. The management of environmental and climate impacts is anchored in GF’s Sustainability Framework 2025. In the 2021 CDP reporting cycle, GF implemented approximately 24 measures worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More information.
EcoVadis reassessment. GF Piping Systems and GF Casting Solutions were reassessed by EcoVadis for their performance on criteria relating to the environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement in 2021. Both divisions achieved a silver medal, which places them among the top 25% of companies assessed by EcoVadis. More information.
GF to welcome top international executive to the Board of Directors. Ayano Senaha (38), Japanese national, is the COO and a board member of Recruit Holdings, Tokyo (Japan), a pioneer in the digitalized job search business and the world leader in web matching services through its Indeed brand. She has held leadership positions in Japan, the UK and the US within Recruit, encompassing sales, R&D, Risk Management, HR, Finance as well as general management and currently chairs the Sustainability Committee of the group. More information.
Strong performance – accelerating growth. In the first semester of 2021, GF`s business continued to show a significant recovery, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As most of GF`s key markets started to grow again, GF recorded strong sales at nearly the same level as prior to the pandemic, as well as a markedly increased profitability in all three divisions.

Sales rose organically 20% to CHF 1`835 million, supported by strong global markets. Operating result (EBIT) increased 120% to CHF 141 million compared to previous year`s EBIT before one-offs, resulting in a clearly improved EBIT margin of 7.7%. Strategy 2025 with focus on sustainability and innovation in full swing. Double-digit sales growth as well as a significant increase in profit expected for the year 2021. More information.
Fifty years of innovation and Swiss quality from Seewis. GF Piping Systems, a division of GF, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its production site in Seewis (GR). With its innovations in high-tech plastic valves and actuators, the Grisons-based company has had a lasting impact on the plastic valve industry. More information.
GF Annual Shareholder’s Meeting approves all proposals. The 125th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer AG approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the corresponding ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council, the meeting took place without the personal attendance of shareholders. More information.

2020

GF expands footprint in South America. GF Piping Systems, a GF division, announces the acquisition of FGS Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda. (FGS), Cajamar (Brazil). As a leading manufacturer of polyethylene piping systems, FGS serves the local water and gas distribution market and other industrial segments. The acquisition will provide GF Piping Systems with a unique platform for further growth in Brazil and the South American region. More information.
GF joins forces with Swiss Shrimp AG. GF and Swiss Shrimp AG have signed a multi-year partnership agreement. The startup from Rheinfelden is a pioneer in local and sustainable shrimp breeding in Switzerland. Among other things, GF will support Swiss Shrimp with its expertise and its technical know-how with regard to water treatment. More information.
GF procures long-term funding. GF raised CHF 200 million on the Swiss debt capital market. The new bond has a term of 9.5 years and carries a coupon of 0.95%. More information.
Solid performance in challenging times – building on new opportunities. Sales at CHF 1`528 million (–14.0% organically), mainly affected by pandemic lockdowns globally. Immediate measures ensured an operating result before one-offs of CHF 64 million (EBIT margin 4.2%). Strong liquidity and robust balance sheet maintained. Business in China already back to previous year’s level. Focus on digital innovations and new sustainable market segments. More information.
GF releases its Sustainability Report 2019 – well on track to achieve 2020 targets. The GF Sustainability Report provides a detailed overview of GF’s progress toward achieving its Sustainability Targets 2020. More than every second GF product or solution supplied to the customers offers a social or environmental benefit. Sustainability is fully integrated in the GF Strategy 2020 as part of the company’s culture. With solutions for leakage- and bacteria-free water supply and significant water savings, innovative lightweight components for more sustainable mobility with lower emissions as well as high-precision machine tools to reduce the consumption of materials and energy, GF is improving the lives of people all over the world. More information.
GF Annual Shareholders’ Meeting approves all proposals. The 124th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Georg Fischer Ltd approved all proposals of the Board of Directors. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the corresponding ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council, the meeting took place without the personal attendance of shareholders. Yves Serra was elected as the new Chairman of the Board. More information.
Covid-19 pandemic – GF business update. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, several customers of GF have reduced capacities or in some cases temporarily closed their facilities. Consequently, GF is adapting its own production capacity in Europe and introducing short-term work where applicable. Additionally, GF launched a comprehensive cost measure package in several regions. Strongly increased cash positions and a very solid balance sheet will allow GF to overcome these difficult times. More information.
GF to enter strategic partnership with innovative British startup company. GF Piping Systems, a division of GF, has signed a partnership agreement with Oxford Flow Limited., based in Oxford (UK). Its innovative pressure-regulating valve allows utility companies to reduce water loss, a major problem around the globe. As part of the agreement, GF will acquire in two steps a 23% minority stake in the company. More information.
Changes to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of GF. Andreas Koopmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Georg Fischer Ltd., will not stand for re-election at the next Annual Shareholders` Meeting on 15 April 2020. Roman Boutellier will step down as Board member reaching the official retirement age. The GF Board of Directors will propose Yves Serra for election as new Chairman and Peter Hackel as new Board member. In addition, the Board of Directors appointed Ivan Filisetti as new President of GF Machining Solutions and member of the Executive Committee of GF effective 1 July 2020. He will succeed Pascal Boillat, who will reach the retirement age in September.

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