The traditional and family-owned company 4B celebrates its 125th anniversary
125 years ago, Heinrich Bachmann founded what is now 4B. The once small village carpenter's workshop has grown into the Swiss market leader for windows and facades with around 700 employees. The 4B success story was duly celebrated on June 10, 2022 at the company headquarters in Hochdorf (LU) with numerous guests from business, politics and associations.
On November 10, 1896, Heinrich Bachmann founded what is now 4B. Over the past 125 years, the world has changed rapidly - and so has 4B. "However, we have not only reacted to the changes and challenges in the world, but have also consciously anticipated them," says Mark Bachmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors at 4B and great-grandson of the company founder, during the anniversary celebration in Hochdorf. For 125 years, it has been in the company's DNA to question traditions and to dare and promote new things. "We have been living the motto: Innovation is our most important tradition consistently for four generations," says the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
A central motivation for the company's innovative strength is the topic of sustainability. "As a family business with responsibility and a 125-year history, it is important for us to keep an eye on the future," says Otto Bachmann, co-owner of 4B. With the development of sustainable window and façade systems made of wood-aluminum, Otto Bachmann, a trained wood engineer, has been a Swiss pioneer in helping sustainability achieve a breakthrough in the window industry over the past thirty years. This with the aim of leaving a functioning company and a healthy planet for future generations.
Sustainability and shortage of skilled workers
To achieve this goal, Jean-Marc Devaud is operationally involved as CEO of 4B. "We produce almost exclusively wood-aluminum windows and focus with the wood on a 100 percent climate-neutral raw material," says Jean-Marc Devaud on the 125th anniversary. 4B windows primarily play out their positive impact on the environment when in use. "Around 45 percent of Switzerland's energy demand is generated in buildings. By renovating roofs and replacing old windows with 4B windows alone, this demand can be reduced by around 30 percent," says the CEO.
In addition to the issue of sustainability, 4B is currently very concerned about the shortage of skilled workers. "Our 700 employees are our most important asset," says the CEO. That's why 4B consciously invests in its employees - especially in the next generation. And this investment is necessary: Vocational training is in a tough spot - even though Switzerland's dual education system is a success story and serves as a model for many countries around the world. "All together, we are committed to ensuring that 4B continues to set trends in sustainability and training over the next 125 years," says Jean-Marc Devaud.
4B celebrates with 180 guests from business and politics
The 125th anniversary of 4B took place on June 10 from 16.00 to 21.00 at the company headquarters in Hochdorf (LU). The approximately 180 invited guests from business and politics met at 16.00 for a joint production tour. Before the main program, the guests had the opportunity to fortify themselves with an aperitif. For the main program, the guests were then welcomed again in the plenum by Mark and Otto Bachmann, owners of 4B, as well as by 4B CEO, Jean-Marc Devaud. While Mark and Otto Bachmann addressed the eventful past of the company in their greetings, Jean-Marc Devaud spoke about the present.
Afterwards, the moderator Florian Inhauser literally opened the door to the future for the keynote speaker, Dr. David Bosshart. Dr. David Bosshart is a futurist, philosopher and was CEO of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) for 22 years. In his gripping speech, he explored the interesting question: How much does a company depend on its history and the decisions of previous generations?
After the main program, the invited guests ended the evening with a dinner.
