History

BW-TEC AG History

2022 Expansion of production capacities

Due to the continuous growth in the different divisions, an expansion of skilled personnel as well as of the production floor became necessary. In January 2022 the new production hall could be inaugurated, and the production area increased from 1200 m² to 1700 m². After the expansion, BW-TEC AG employs over 50 people.

2020 New partnership with Machine Solutions, Inc.

In 2020, the family-run company is sold to Machine Solutions, Inc. The management around the site manager Josia Pantli will remain. The Swiss location will be further expanded.

The product combination, capabilities, and locations of both companies offers our customers a comprehensive and complete range to produce catheters from one source. The new partnership will result in new innovations and service and sales structure will be greatly expanded in the regions.

2020 Subsidiary founded in China

Due to the rapid growth in China and to strengthen the service as well as the customer contact, the subsidiary BW Machinery Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd was founded in Shanghai.

2016-2020 Growth and strengthened leadership

In the last few years, the company has steadily grown and more than 25 people are working for BW-TEC. The facility accommodates about 1500 square meters. BW-TEC has customers on six continents and has become an important export partner for the Swiss economy.

In 2020, the Board of Directors was partially reassigned and new experienced board members were appointed. At the same time, Matthias Schulthess was recruited to the BW-TEC management board. Thanks to his practical experience as an electro-mechanical engineer, as well as a degree in management, he is ideally equipped for the task of production manager at BW-TEC.

2016 Leadership change

Since the beginning of 2016, BW-TEC AG has a new management team. Josia Pantli assumes responsibility as CEO and will be supported by a great team of capable engineers. Daniela Pantli remains responsible for human resources. Jakob Willi remains as chairman of the board until 2019.

2007-2016 International breakthrough

Because of the fast growth within the PTCA and PTA industry, smaller companies were often bought up by larger global players. This resulted in some big-name changes within the BW-TEC client base and machines were introduced to other sites within those companies. The volume of orders increased and new employees were hired. Because of Switzerland’s unique education system, BW-TEC was able to quickly recruit qualified employees for mechanical manufacturing and electro-mechanical assembly. In 2007, the first apprentice was hired and received a full 4-year educational program to become an automation engineer. This educational practice is important for the Swiss marketplace and will always be a focus for BW-TEC.

1999-2007 Early years and establishment in the market

In the beginning, the two entrepreneurs did everything themselves. Daniela, Jakob’s daughter, helped part-time to take care of the administrative duties and international communication. Rumors quickly spread that there was a Swiss equipment provider in the field of balloon catheters many purchase orders were signed for the development of equipment for different applications. Soon enough, automation and mechanical engineers where hired to meet the growing demands. By presenting at the annual Medtec Europe event in Stuttgart and by building quality equipment, BW-TEC became internationally known. The CO2 Laser Welding Machine 394 was the machine that lead the growth of the new enterprise. Companies from around the globe became interested in this technology and within a few years BW-TEC became the benchmark for distal and proximal welding of balloon catheters.

1999 year of foundation

Jakob Willi and Werner Christl worked together for Schneider Medizintechnik in Bülach, Switzerland for many years. Schneider Medizintechnik worked closely with Dr. Andreas Grüntzig, a pioneer of cardiovascular balloon dilatation. Willi and Christl were involved in the development of equipment and were able to learn the process of PTCA balloon production firsthand. After Schneider was sold to Pfizer and then transferred to Boston Scientific in Galway, it was time for a new beginning and in 1999 BW-TEC was founded by Jakob Willi. After initial inquiries came in from former colleagues, he built the first machine in the garage of his private home. Shortly after, Werner Christl joined in and the workshop was moved to the Oertli Building in Höri, Switzerland where it still resides today.