Industrial paper production
Industrial paper production in Balsthal begins in 1883. Robert and Arthur Bareiss found the limited partnership Papier- und Couvertfabrik Balsthal and install the first paper machine one year later. But the roots of the company go back even further: to a medieval grain mill and a wood grinding mill.
1911
Electrics & new paper machines
Other paper products
From 1900, paper processing is further expanded so that office papers can also be produced. In 1911, the entire plant is electrified. Two more paper machines are installed. This means that printing and writing paper, cardboard, tissue paper and thin parchment can also be produced.
1918
Expansion paper processing
Coba envelope factory
The Coba envelope factory is established. Paper processing is further expanded.
1933
Cell and dressing wadding
New products
In 1929, a new speciality, cellular cotton wool for hygienic purposes, is introduced. In 1933, the trademark "Tela" is registered for cotton wool products. At the beginning of the Second World War, the 6th paper machine is put into operation, which is used almost exclusively for the production of cellular and dressing wadding.
Expansion paper processing
Paper processing is further expanded for finished products. In 1957, a paper machine is converted into the first tissue machine in Europe.
Second factory in Niederbipp
Construction of a second mill in Niederbipp. In 1966, base papers from Balsthal can be processed at the new site for the first time. In addition, Switzerland's first industrial wastewater treatment plant is put into operation. Three years later, Tissue Machine 1 comes on stream, producing the finest crepe tissue paper with advanced technology, high speed and precision. For the first time in the world, the paper machine water circuit is completely closed. As a result, fresh water consumption can be reduced to a previously unimaginable minimum.
Conversion into holding company
The Attisholz Group is transformed into a holding company comprising Hakle Mainz, Hakle Reichenburg, Tela Papierfabrik AG Balsthal and Niederbipp, Attisholz and Vlesia.
Recycled material pressed for the first time
Pressed recycled stock (wet-lab) is used for the first time on paper machine three in Balsthal.
1999
Tela-Kimberly (Switzerland)
Sale & Renaming
The entire hygiene division of Attisholz Holding is sold to Kimberly-Clark, an American manufacturer of sanitary paper. Tela AG is renamed Tela-Kimberly (Switzerland) GmbH.
Swiss Quality Paper Horgen Balsthal AG
Kimberly-Clark closes the Hakle plant in Reichenburg and sells the plant in Balsthal to Papierfabrik Horgen Holding AG. The company is renamed Swiss Quality Paper Horgen Balsthal AG.
2009
Saber Swiss Quality Paper AG
Takeover of the company
The Soin family from India takes over the company and it is renamed Saber Swiss Quality Paper AG. The production strategy revolves around the manufacture of specialty papers for masking tape paper, cigarette filter paper and hygiene products.
2014
Solution from the Saber Group
New focus
Swiss Quality Paper AG is detached from the Saber Group and focuses again more on the Swiss identity of the mill and its qualities.
Reconstruction of stock preparation
Rebuild of the stock preparation system. The implementation of a large-scale project makes separate grinding possible, and at the same time a new process control system is installed and put into operation, and a transformer system is installed.
