{"id":4302,"date":"2020-11-13T13:59:47","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T13:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wierec.com\/?page_id=4302"},"modified":"2025-07-21T08:48:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T08:48:32","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wierec.com\/en\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"HISTORY"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Wiederkehr Recycling <br \/>\nin facts and figures<\/p>\n<p><\/h1>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Icon_Scrolldown.png\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Year established<br \/>1959<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Locations in Switzerland and Germany<br \/>3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Employees<br \/>150<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h1>OUR HISTORY<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>Everything starts with a quiet little workshop<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Wiederkehr Recycling is well known in recycling management, and has a reach that extends far beyond Switzerland\u2019s borders. Something that started as a small workshop in 1959 has long established itself as a brand well known around the world. Back in the day, company founder Xaver Wiederkehr started out by trading only in scrap metal, mostly from scrapped cars. Compounding and separating metals was something he had learned from his father\u2019s business. No wonder then that he went on to complete a welder apprenticeship. This was followed by years of learning and journeying to deepen his knowledge and gain experience. But Xaver Wiederkehr wanted to do more \u2013 to know more, discover more and achieve more. The idea he had when he was barely 22 years old, to recycle old worn-out products, was not entirely new but it was hugely underestimated in terms of its scope and importance. His vision \u2013 to reprocess 100% of recyclables \u2013 is a clear sign of where the company was headed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Always a step ahead<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>In the 1950s no one yet talked about protecting the environment or recycling as we know it today. In those days scrapped cars were burned in the early hours of the morning amidst huge clouds of smoke, and what was left was then taken to a furnace. An unbelievable waste of resources. Xaver Wiederkehr was unorthodox, a can-do personality and a visionary. He recognised the potential buried in the mounting piles of waste and worked single-mindedly on new solutions for reprocessing recyclables. This involved not only optimising processes but also developing innovative machines. The first scrap metal baler was thus created in 1965, with Switzerland\u2019s first shredder facility coming seven years later and, in 1975, the first scrap shears. The 80s saw the development of a sink-float separation system, which significantly increased the volumes that could be handled by the sorting process. Alongside these technical developments, Xaver Wiederkehr was also expanding the scope of the company both in terms of geography and workforce. More sites were acquired, redeveloped and expanded. The number of employees grew. Synergising individual facilities allowed Wiederkehr to expand the geographical range and become more efficient in executing new and innovative waste management concepts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>The importance of recycling gains traction<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>The 1970s saw a shift in people\u2019s thinking and behaviour. Environmental agencies were formed and restrictions on waste incineration were tightened. The ecological and economic importance of recovering raw materials rapidly gained momentum. Industrialisation, with its constantly increasing volumes of waste, was taking its toll. Resources became noticeably shorter in supply and industry looked increasingly to alternative solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>A rolling stone gathers no moss<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Environmental protection and sustainability are now areas central to industry. The increasing demand for secondary raw materials is showing us the way. This requires the highest standards of technology. The research department at Wiederkehr Recycling works tirelessly to break new ground in the optimisation of processes and technologies. Back in 2007 we started a pilot project recycling waste material from ASR and successfully brought the facility into operation in Waltenschwil. A milestone on the road to 100% recycling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>A winning team with strong partnerships<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>This family-run business is still owner-operated today. Values like responsibility, innovation and sustainability are the lifeblood of the company, while close partnerships with clients and associated businesses are held dear. A broad network of strong partnerships, a motivated team and \u2013 not least \u2013 the utmost in technological expertise all form the foundations of our success. Wiederkehr Recycling has supported and shaped the development of recycling right from the start. With innovative concepts, just as the visions of the company\u2019s founder would have had it. The context has changed. The aim is the same. To recirculate raw materials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Easy to reach and just a click away<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Wiederkehr Recycling currently includes two locations in Switzerland in Waltenschwil, Aargau and Schwarzenbach, St. Gallen as well as a site in Lauchringen, Germany. The head office of our group of enterprises is in Waltenschwil. This is also where the research department sits as well as our office for coordinating international purchasing and sales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wierec.com\/en\/our-locations\/?lang=en\">LOCATIONS<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/recycling-wiederkehr-gruppe-geschichte-002.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h1>Timeline<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>1959<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Founding of Wiederkehr Recycling, Autoverwertung und Alteisenhandel (recycling, car recycling and scrap metal trading)<br \/><em>Xaver Wiederkehr, Wohlen in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1963<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Acquisition of current company site<br \/><em>Waltenschwil near Wohlen in Aargau<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1965<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>First scrap metal baler<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1967\/68<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Formation of haulage firm TRAWO AG, <br \/>Site expansion by 400 m2, construction of company building and truck scale<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1972<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>First shredder facility in Switzerland<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1975<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>First scrap metal shears built<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1976<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>New shredder with dust extraction system<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1978<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Acquisition of AVO Schwarzenbach<br \/><em>Schwarzenbach\/ <\/em><br class=\"clear\" \/><em>canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1984<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Celebrating 25 years of the company<br \/>40 employees<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1985<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>New shredder facility and shears,<br \/>Joint development of Thyssen Henschel system<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1987<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Switzerland&#8217;s first sink-float separation system<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1993<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Acquisition of recycling company SMV Schrott- und Metallverwertung GmbH<br \/><em>Lauchringen in Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg, Germany<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1994<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Opening of rail connection on company premises<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1996<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>New factory hall with sorting and separation facilities for composites<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>1997<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Introduction of colour spectroscopy analysis<br \/>Improvement of automated waste separation <br \/>of non-magnetic metals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2005<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Formation of sorting plant in China, SCMR Swiss China Metals Resources Ltd. <br \/><em>Guangdong, Hong Kong<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2006<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Technology supplement through <br \/>X-ray processes<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2006<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Partnership with SCMR Deutschland GmbH<br \/>in Eisleben, Polleben district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany,<br \/>Europe\u2019s most cutting-edge composite separation facility<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2007<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Formation of Wiederkehr Recycling Co. Ltd. in Japan<br \/><em>Japan<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Launch of pilot facility for recycling waste material from ASR<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Third place in Northern Switzerland enterprise award<br \/><em>Switzerland<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2008<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Aargau enterprise award<br \/>Aargauischer Gewerbeverband (Aargau trade association), Aargauer Kantonalbank<\/p>\n<p>Initial discussions for setting up a thermal recycling plant using shredder residues<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Business expansion with SMV Wiederkehr Recycling GmbH<br \/><em>Lauchringen<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Cooperation agreement between JFE Group in Japan and Wiederkehr Recycling AG<br \/>JFE Group is world\u2019s fourth-largest steel producer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2018<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Formation of Eco-Carbon AG<br \/><em>H\u00fcnenberg<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2019<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Celebrating 60 years of the company Ceremony with open day <br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2020<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Formation of Wierec Trading AG and Wierec Services GmbH<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2020<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Formation of the Wiederkehr Group<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>2025<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Operational takeover by the Thommen Group AG.<\/p>\n<p>Wiederkehr Recycling AG<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<p>AVO Wiederkehr Recycling AG<br \/><em>Schwarzenbach SG<\/em><\/p>\n<p>SMV Wiederkehr Recycling GmbH<br \/><em>Lauchringen <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Wierec Trading AG<br \/><em>H\u00fcnenberg<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Wierec Services GmbH<br \/><em>Waltenschwil<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<!-- {\"name\":\"Geschichte DE\",\"type\":\"layout\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"animation\":\"slide-top\",\"header_transparent\":true,\"header_transparent_text_color\":\"light\",\"height\":\"viewport\",\"height_offset_top\":true,\"image\":\"wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/10\\\/Wiederkehr_Recycling_Header_Geschichte.jpg\",\"image_position\":\"top-center\",\"image_size\":\"cover\",\"media_overlay\":\"rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"css\":\"\\n\",\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"image_size\":\"cover\",\"image_width\":\"2000\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"animation\":\"none\",\"content\":\"Wiederkehr Recycling <br \/>\\nin facts and figures<br \/>\\n<br \\\/>\\n<br \/>\",\"css\":\".el-element {line-height:1.3;}\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"title_element\":\"h1\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"props\":{\"image\":\"wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/10\\\/Icon_Scrolldown.png\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"margin\":\"default\",\"position\":\"absolute\",\"position_bottom\":\"-50\",\"text_align\":\"center\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"xlarge\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"props\":{\"layout\":\"1-3,1-3,1-3\",\"width\":\"default\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"style\":\"tile-primary\",\"width_medium\":\"1-3\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"class\":\"textgross\",\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Year established<br \\\/>1959<\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]},{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"style\":\"tile-primary\",\"width_medium\":\"1-3\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"class\":\"textgross\",\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Locations in Switzerland and Germany<br \\\/>3<\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]},{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"style\":\"tile-primary\",\"width_medium\":\"1-3\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"class\":\"textgross\",\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\">Employees<br \\\/>150<\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]}]},{\"type\":\"row\",\"props\":{\"width\":\"default\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"OUR HISTORY\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"title_element\":\"h1\",\"title_style\":\"heading-small\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding_remove_top\":true,\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"xlarge\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"accordion\",\"props\":{\"collapsible\":true,\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_align\":\"top\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"show_image\":true,\"show_link\":true},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"accordion_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Wiederkehr Recycling is well known in recycling management, and has a reach that extends far beyond Switzerland\\u2019s borders. Something that started as a small workshop in 1959 has long established itself as a brand well known around the world. Back in the day, company founder Xaver Wiederkehr started out by trading only in scrap metal, mostly from scrapped cars. Compounding and separating metals was something he had learned from his father\\u2019s business. No wonder then that he went on to complete a welder apprenticeship. This was followed by years of learning and journeying to deepen his knowledge and gain experience. But Xaver Wiederkehr wanted to do more \\u2013 to know more, discover more and achieve more. The idea he had when he was barely 22 years old, to recycle old worn-out products, was not entirely new but it was hugely underestimated in terms of its scope and importance. His vision \\u2013 to reprocess 100% of recyclables \\u2013 is a clear sign of where the company was headed. <\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"Everything starts with a quiet little workshop\"}},{\"type\":\"accordion_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>In the 1950s no one yet talked about protecting the environment or recycling as we know it today. In those days scrapped cars were burned in the early hours of the morning amidst huge clouds of smoke, and what was left was then taken to a furnace. An unbelievable waste of resources. Xaver Wiederkehr was unorthodox, a can-do personality and a visionary. He recognised the potential buried in the mounting piles of waste and worked single-mindedly on new solutions for reprocessing recyclables. This involved not only optimising processes but also developing innovative machines. The first scrap metal baler was thus created in 1965, with Switzerland\\u2019s first shredder facility coming seven years later and, in 1975, the first scrap shears. The 80s saw the development of a sink-float separation system, which significantly increased the volumes that could be handled by the sorting process. Alongside these technical developments, Xaver Wiederkehr was also expanding the scope of the company both in terms of geography and workforce. More sites were acquired, redeveloped and expanded. The number of employees grew. Synergising individual facilities allowed Wiederkehr to expand the geographical range and become more efficient in executing new and innovative waste management concepts.<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"Always a step ahead\"}},{\"type\":\"accordion_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>The 1970s saw a shift in people\\u2019s thinking and behaviour. Environmental agencies were formed and restrictions on waste incineration were tightened. The ecological and economic importance of recovering raw materials rapidly gained momentum. Industrialisation, with its constantly increasing volumes of waste, was taking its toll. Resources became noticeably shorter in supply and industry looked increasingly to alternative solutions.<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"The importance of recycling gains traction\"}},{\"type\":\"accordion_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Environmental protection and sustainability are now areas central to industry. The increasing demand for secondary raw materials is showing us the way. This requires the highest standards of technology. The research department at Wiederkehr Recycling works tirelessly to break new ground in the optimisation of processes and technologies. Back in 2007 we started a pilot project recycling waste material from ASR and successfully brought the facility into operation in Waltenschwil. A milestone on the road to 100% recycling.<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"A rolling stone gathers no moss\"}},{\"type\":\"accordion_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>This family-run business is still owner-operated today. Values like responsibility, innovation and sustainability are the lifeblood of the company, while close partnerships with clients and associated businesses are held dear. A broad network of strong partnerships, a motivated team and \\u2013 not least \\u2013 the utmost in technological expertise all form the foundations of our success. Wiederkehr Recycling has supported and shaped the development of recycling right from the start. With innovative concepts, just as the visions of the company\\u2019s founder would have had it. The context has changed. The aim is the same. To recirculate raw materials.<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"A winning team with strong partnerships\"}},{\"type\":\"accordion_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Wiederkehr Recycling currently includes two locations in Switzerland in Waltenschwil, Aargau and Schwarzenbach, St. Gallen as well as a site in Lauchringen, Germany. The head office of our group of enterprises is in Waltenschwil. This is also where the research department sits as well as our office for coordinating international purchasing and sales.<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"Easy to reach and just a click away\"}}]},{\"type\":\"button\",\"props\":{\"animation\":\"slide-left-small\",\"grid_column_gap\":\"small\",\"grid_row_gap\":\"small\",\"margin\":\"default\",\"text_align\":\"left\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"button_item\",\"props\":{\"button_style\":\"primary\",\"content\":\"LOCATIONS\",\"icon_align\":\"left\",\"link\":\"our-locations\\\/?lang=en\"}}]}]},{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"image\",\"props\":{\"image\":\"wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/10\\\/recycling-wiederkehr-gruppe-geschichte-002.jpg\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]}],\"props\":{\"layout\":\"1-2,1-2\"}}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"muted\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Timeline\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"title_element\":\"h1\",\"title_style\":\"heading-small\"}},{\"type\":\"grid\",\"props\":{\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"filter_align\":\"left\",\"filter_all\":true,\"filter_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"filter_grid_width\":\"auto\",\"filter_position\":\"top\",\"filter_style\":\"tab\",\"grid_column_gap\":\"small\",\"grid_default\":\"1\",\"grid_medium\":\"4\",\"grid_row_gap\":\"large\",\"icon_width\":80,\"image_align\":\"top\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"item_animation\":true,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"panel_padding\":\"small\",\"panel_style\":\"card-default\",\"parallax_easing\":\"1\",\"show_content\":true,\"show_image\":true,\"show_link\":true,\"show_meta\":true,\"show_title\":true,\"title_align\":\"top\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"title_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Founding of Wiederkehr Recycling, Autoverwertung und Alteisenhandel (recycling, car recycling and scrap metal trading)<br \\\/><em>Xaver Wiederkehr, Wohlen in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1959\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Acquisition of current company site<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil near Wohlen in Aargau<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1963\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>First scrap metal baler<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1965\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Formation of haulage firm TRAWO AG, <br \\\/>Site expansion by 400 m2, construction of company building and truck scale<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1967\\\/68\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>First shredder facility in Switzerland<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1972\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>First scrap metal shears built<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1975\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>New shredder with dust extraction system<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1976\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Acquisition of AVO Schwarzenbach<br \\\/><em>Schwarzenbach\\\/ <\\\/em><br class=\\\"clear\\\" \\\/><em>canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1978\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Celebrating 25 years of the company<br \\\/>40 employees<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1984\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>New shredder facility and shears,<br \\\/>Joint development of Thyssen Henschel system<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1985\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Switzerland's first sink-float separation system<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1987\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Acquisition of recycling company SMV Schrott- und Metallverwertung GmbH<br \\\/><em>Lauchringen in Baden-W\\u00fcrttemberg, Germany<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1993\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Opening of rail connection on company premises<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1994\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>New factory hall with sorting and separation facilities for composites<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1996\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Introduction of colour spectroscopy analysis<br \\\/>Improvement of automated waste separation <br \\\/>of non-magnetic metals<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"1997\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Formation of sorting plant in China, SCMR Swiss China Metals Resources Ltd. <br \\\/><em>Guangdong, Hong Kong<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2005\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Technology supplement through <br \\\/>X-ray processes<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2006\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Partnership with SCMR Deutschland GmbH<br \\\/>in Eisleben, Polleben district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany,<br \\\/>Europe\\u2019s most cutting-edge composite separation facility<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2006\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Formation of Wiederkehr Recycling Co. Ltd. in Japan<br \\\/><em>Japan<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Launch of pilot facility for recycling waste material from ASR<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Third place in Northern Switzerland enterprise award<br \\\/><em>Switzerland<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2007\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Aargau enterprise award<br \\\/>Aargauischer Gewerbeverband (Aargau trade association), Aargauer Kantonalbank<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Initial discussions for setting up a thermal recycling plant using shredder residues<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Business expansion with SMV Wiederkehr Recycling GmbH<br \\\/><em>Lauchringen<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Cooperation agreement between JFE Group in Japan and Wiederkehr Recycling AG<br \\\/>JFE Group is world\\u2019s fourth-largest steel producer<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2008\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Formation of Eco-Carbon AG<br \\\/><em>H\\u00fcnenberg<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2018\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Celebrating 60 years of the company Ceremony with open day <br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2019\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Formation of Wierec Trading AG and Wierec Services GmbH<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2020\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Formation of the Wiederkehr Group<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2020\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Operational takeover by the Thommen Group AG.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Wiederkehr Recycling AG<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>AVO Wiederkehr Recycling AG<br \\\/><em>Schwarzenbach SG<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>SMV Wiederkehr Recycling GmbH<br \\\/><em>Lauchringen <\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Wierec Trading AG<br \\\/><em>H\\u00fcnenberg<\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Wierec Services GmbH<br \\\/><em>Waltenschwil<\\\/em><\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"2025\"}}]}]}],\"props\":{\"width\":\"default\"}}],\"name\":\"Timeline\"}],\"version\":\"4.3.4\"} --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wiederkehr Recycling in facts and figures Year established1959 Locations in Switzerland and Germany3 Employees150 OUR HISTORY Everything starts with a quiet little workshop Wiederkehr Recycling is well known in recycling management, and has a reach that extends far beyond Switzerland\u2019s borders. Something that started as a small workshop in 1959 has long established itself as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4302","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Recycling since 1959 | Wiederkehr Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our story begins in Waltenschwil. Wiederkehr Recycling, tradition and innovation for over 60 years. 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