Uster Technologies

The story of Uster Technologies begins not with a single founder, but with the evolution of a Swiss company called Zellweger AG, established in Uster, Switzerland, with roots dating back to 1875. Initially a workshop for telegraphy equipment, the company began producing machines for weaving mills in 1925 under the brand Uster. A pivotal moment came in 1948 with the invention of the first yarn evenness tester, an instrument that would define the company's future. This device, and the subsequent 'Uster Statistics' first published in 1957, created a global benchmark for yarn quality, establishing Uster as a standard-setter in the textile industry. The modern iteration of the company, Uster Technologies AG, was formed in 2003 through a management buy-out of the textile division from the Zellweger Luwa Group. This move allowed the new entity to focus entirely on textile quality control. The company went public in 2007, listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange. A significant chapter in Uster's journey unfolded in 2012 when it was acquired by Toyota Industries Corporation. The acquisition was positioned as a strategic partnership, combining Uster's expertise in quality management and monitoring systems with Toyota's strength in spinning and weaving machinery. Following the acquisition, Uster was delisted from the stock exchange but continues to operate as an independent subsidiary within the Toyota Industries Group, maintaining its headquarters and brand identity in Switzerland.