History

History2021-04-22T07:47:03+02:00

From the start-up days to internationality

Small and modest beginnings in the Black Forest in 1963 were the foundation for today’s internationally active group of companies. With its niche products and competent consulting, AZ has always been a partner for industry and plant engineering that meets the highest demands imposed on quality and technology.

 

October 1963

Established 1963

Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Wisser founded the AZ Armaturen GmbH on October 18th, 1963 together with a former fellow student.
First products are designed by AZ and build by outside companies.

January 1965

The first premises are rented in Triberg 1965

In an area of 65 sqm, Gerhard Wisser begins production with three employees.

One of their first big customers is the Nuclear Research Centre in Karlsruhe, ordering hundreds of sleeved valves.

January 1968

January 1972

Sleeved valves 1972

Valves are sleeved with FEP to prevent aggressive media impacting on the high-quality material.
AZ is a pioneer with this process and initiates FEP sleeving in the transfer moulding process.
At the same time, the high-voltage porosity test is introduced for this new generation of valves.

September 1985

January 1988

January 1992

Relocation to Mönchweiler 1992

The relocation from Schonach to Mönchweiler to the new production and administration buildings is completed in March 1992.  Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Wisser, son of the company’s founder, joins the company in April.

AZ is granted utility model protection for the sampling system SAMPLING.

October 1992

January 1995

January 2007

January 2008

Introduction of CFD flow simulation 2008

Introduction of the CFD flow simulation analysis for the optimisation of control valves.
Founding of AZ Armaturen Trading Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, China in July.
16” and 20” plug valves with full bore design are supplied for a project in Poland.

January 2009

The company’s own stainless steel foundry in Brazil 2009

Expansion of the factory in Brazil with establishment of the company’s own stainless steel foundry for precision casting.
Patent is issued for the double cardan joint for drive mountings.
Expansion of the incoming goods inspection with x-ray gun for faultless metal analysis.

January 2010

Development of valves for nuclear power plants 2010

Development and supply of high-pressure plug valves from forged material with electric servo drive for nuclear power plants in Hungary; size DN 80 Extra, PN 100.

A “grey room” is set up at the Mönchweiler plant for the oil- and grease-free assembly of valves, which, for example, is required for clean-room silicon production or for the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Expansion of the company’s photovoltaic plant to a total of 295 kW. In summer, up to 70% of the company’s energy needs are supplied by solar power.
The production company AZ Armaturen Trading Co., Ltd. relocates its operations from Shanghai to Taicang/China.

January 2012

September 2012

September 2013

January 2014

December 2014

September 2015

Obituary: Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Wisser

The founder of the AZ Group, Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Wisser, died on 27/08/2015 suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 83 years in his home town of Schonach in the Black Forest.
[…]

August 2016

June 2019

September 2020

Today

Since 1997: CEO and Owner:
Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Wisser

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