Our History

Take a look at our history from 1941 until now

We have come a long way since the company was founded in 1941, and we have big ambitions to grow. Take a look at our history to get a taste of what we can achieve.

1941 - Foundation

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Engineer Martin Hilti (1915 – 1997) and his brother Eugen (1911 – 1964) founded Hilti Maschinenbau OHG in Schaan, Liechtenstein.

1957 - Breakthrough

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The DX 100 is the first powder-actuated tool in the world, marking a technological breakthrough for Hilti. By the early 60s, Hilti is active in around 30 countries. 

1964 - Farewell

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Eugen Hilti, one of the company cofounders, dies on November 20 at the age of 53. As an outstanding organizer, he greatly contributed to the expansion of the company in Schaan. He was also deeply involved in the State Apprentices Commission until his untimely death.

1967 - Powerful innovations

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With the introduction of the Hilti TE 17, the first electro-pneumatic hammer drill, the TE series evolves into the most comprehensive series of tools. In the same period, Hilti develops the first mechanical anchor system.

1970 - International production facilities

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The first international production facility opens in Thüringen, Vorarlberg (Austria). One year later, a production facility opens in Kaufering, near Munich (Germany). With the opening of the production site in Matamoros (Mexico) in 2009, Hilti now has eight production facilities: Schaan (Liechtenstein), Thüringen (Austria), Kaufering and Strass (Germany), Zhanjiang and Shanghai (China) as well as Kecskemét (Hungary).

1973 - Expansion

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The newly established Hilti Entwicklungsgesellschaft (HEG) in Munich (Germany) develops drilling and mounting technologies and anchor systems. This follows the launch of a development center for steelworks equipment in Glasgow (Scotland) one year prior. 

The company broadens its management base. A four-member Executive Board takes up its duties. Already in 1975 board membership was rearranged and expanded to include five members. Michael Hilti joins the company and takes over the area of marketing and sales.

1980 - Reallocation and securing the company’s future

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Formation of the market regions America, Africa, Asia and Europe. This measure brings the company closer to the regional markets, ensuring that customer needs are better served.

Establishment of the Martin Hilti Family Trust. The renunciation of an inheritance by all of Martin Hilti’s direct descendants lays the cornerstone for long-term company security.

1985 - Strategy 2000 and leadership

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The product areas of anchor systems, direct fastening, and drilling and demolition are realigned as fully functioning product divisions. Every division comprises the functions of product management, R&D, logistics, controlling, purchasing, and production. 

Market segments, improved service and new products: in 1986, Hilti presents the strategy 2000. Corporate culture is further developed under the motto “Leadership Makes the Difference”.

1990 - Management change

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Martin Hilti cedes the position of CEO to his son Michael, who had been appointed Vice Chair of the Executive Board in 1982. Martin Hilti himself remains Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In 1994, Pius Baschera is the first non-family member to take the reins of the company. Martin Hilti cedes the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors to Michael Hilti and remains on the Board of Directors as Honorary Chairman.

1991 - Globalization and networking

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Continuous build-up of international markets. Other branches follow, such as in Russia, South America and Asia. Globalization begins for Hilti, and is further achieved at the IT level, in 2002, with the launch of globally standardized business processes and data, which turns out to be the basis for substantial gains in efficiency and productivity. 

1996 - Champion 3C

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The new Champion 3C strategy focusses the company on the three core aspects of customer, competence and concentration. This gives the company an enormous boost in productivity.

1997 - Legacy

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Martin Hilti, cofounder of the company, dies on August 19 at the age of 82. He leaves behind his life’s work, a company that enjoys long-term security and that will endure on the basis of a finely balanced management structure that depends on no single individual.

2003 - Award and changes to Executive Board and Board of Directors

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The Hilti Group is awarded the “Carl Bertelsmann Prize” for its exemplary corporate culture. One year later the further development of this topic sees the introduction of Our Culture Journey, the core of which is regular training sessions and the continuous development of all employees around the world.


At the end of 2006 Pius Baschera hands over responsibility to Bo Risberg as CEO. Baschera becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors. Michael Hilti remains a member of the Board of Directors.

2011 - Currency appreciation

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One aftereffect of the world financial crisis is the strong Swiss franc. Hilti reacts by ensuring that future currency fluctuations can be better softened.
 

The Group's Executive Board is enlarged from four members to six and is restructured. This sets the course for the company to remain dynamic and future-oriented.

2014-2016 - Strategy and commitment

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Christoph Loos becomes the fifth CEO in the history of Hilti. The focus of the new “Champion 2020” corporate strategy is sustainable value creation through leadership and differentiation.

At the same time, Hilti opens up a new and modern innovation center in 2015 and completely renovates its headquarters and the company premises in 2016, signaling its commitment to the location of Liechtenstein.

In the anniversary year of 2016 more than 24,000 employees work for Hilti in more than 120 countries.

2017-2018 - Group Sales and Acquisitions

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Hilti strengthens its position in the offshore market with the acquisition of the Norwegian Oglaend System Group. This marks the biggest company acquisition in Hilti’s history.

In December 2017, the Hilti Group broke the CHF 5 billion barrier in sales for the first time in the history of the company

During the 2018 Annual General Meeting of Hilti Corporation, Michael Hilti was elected Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors for life.

With the acquisition of the Austrian bst Brandschutztechnik Döpfl GmbH and its German sales subsidiary, Hilti has expanded its offering for fire-protection solutions for the energy and industry sector.

2019 - BIM Experience Center

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Hilti has opened the BIM Experience Center in Rotterdam. The center brings to life the digital evolution of construction projects through the combination of applications, services and digital elements.

2020 - Jaibot and EXO-O1

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With the Jaibot, Hilti is launching its semi-autonomous, mobile construction site robot for ceiling drilling. With this, Hilti takes another step on the way to the digital construction site.

In collaboration with the medical technology company Ottobock, Hilti launches the EXO-O1 exoskeleton in the construction industry. This makes a significant contribution to health protection, especially when working in the overhead and over-shoulder areas.

2021 – GENERATION CHANGE AND ACQUISITION

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The Hilti Group's success over the decades is strongly connected with its long-term succession planning ensuring stability and continuity. Hilti will undergo a major generation change in key leadership roles over the next two years, given the age and tenure of certain long-term serving representatives.

The Hilti Group acquires Fieldwire (USA), a San Francisco-based company which provides a leading platform for jobsite management. Hilti already participated as an investor in 2017 and established a close partnership with Fieldwire.

2022 – NURON, SBTI, SALES

With Nuron, Hilti is launching a new cordless platform that radically simplifies work on construction sites, enhances tool park management, drives performance to much higher levels and improves operator health protection. Nuron is based on a single battery system that covers all relevant applications from light- to heavy-duty.

The Hilti Group commits to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Reducing CO2 emissions along the entire value chain is a core element.

At CHF 6.3 billion, the Hilti Group's sales exceeded the 6 billion mark for the first time.

2023 – STRATEGY, ACQUISITION, CO2 NEUTRALITY

Hilti introduces the new Lead 2030 corporate strategy. The new purpose is Making Construction Better. Hilti wants to be the customers’ best partner for productivity, safety and sustainability and deliver better applications, better projects, better processes, and better experiences.

Hilti acquires the Dutch 4PS Group. 4PS specializes in providing business process management software for the construction industry. With this acquisition, Hilti expands its software offering beyond asset management (ON!Track) and jobsite management (Fieldwire).

At the end of 2023, the Hilti Group has reached CO2 neutrality in its own operations as planned. This achievement marks the first milestone on the company’s journey towards net zero by 2050.

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