Fällanden ZH – Bucher Leichtbau AG is looking back on its 70th anniversary this year. Starting out as a craft business, the company from the Zurich Oberland has developed into a group of companies for aviation, cabin interiors and rail transportation.
Bucher Leichtbau AG is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. "As an outstanding example of Swiss pioneering work, the company has developed from a modest craft business to an international pioneer in the field of cabin and rescue equipment for aviation since it was founded by Heinrich Bucher," writes the company from the Zücher Oberland in a press release. Today, the group, which is structured into three companies, employs almost 170 people at its headquarters in Fällanden alone. Bucher Leichtbau specializes in components and constructions for aviation, cabin interiors, rail transport and rescue equipment in helicopters.
The company, currently managed by Beat Burlet in the third generation, goes back to Heinrich Bucher. The master plumber at Swissair specialized in the repair and maintenance of galleys in 1953. The founder's wife, Ida Bucher, was the first employee of the company, which operated from an old garage.
After the death of Heinrich Bucher in 1992, the company was handed over to the three descendants of the second generation and the AG was founded. At this point, Bucher Leichtbau had already acquired other airlines as customers in addition to Swissair, according to the press release. Scandinavia Airlines, Lufthansa, Australia Airlines as well as Everett and WA from the USA are mentioned by name.
In the anniversary year, however, the focus should not only be on the past, but also on the future, writes Bucher Leichtbau. The Group intends to develop "pioneering solutions" in this area in the coming years. ce/hs