Heinz Faigle
1947
Heinz Faigle, founder of the company that bears his name, is a passionate inventor, developer and businessman. Back then, plastics technology is still in its infancy. But Heinz Faigle quickly discovers that new, modern thermoplastics are the ideal material for his research and development work. From then on, all of his work revolves around plastics as well as tribology, the science of friction and wear.
Plant in Hard
1963
The injection moulding facility in Hard becomes fully operational, and Heinz Faigle opens the company’s first plant in Switzerland, just across the border in Au.
Developing X-materials
1964
X-materials enable founder Heinz Faigle to develop the company’s first wear-resistant semifinished plastic products. The products are initially used in freight wagon bogies, sliding elements and gearing shells for fifth-wheel couplings on trucks, to name just a few applications, marking the first chapter in this global success story.
First faigle roller for escalators
1969
The company brings its latest new development to market: Schindler builds faigle rollers into its escalators for the first time. Made from thermoplastic polyurethane, the newly developed roller revolutionises the escalator industry. faigle never looks back, going on to become a global leader in the niche market for rollers for escalators and moving walks.
Expansion with second site in Hard
1990
Wolfgang Faigle remains true to his father’s innovation and expansion strategy, opening a second site in Austria. Also based in Hard, faigle Industrieplast GmbH focuses exclusively on producing and selling semifinished products for technical applications. Over the following years, custom services such as cutting, milling, planing and grooving are added to the portfolio. 1st-Cut® becomes the company’s trademark service.
Suzhou site opens
2003
Asia is a booming market for the escalator industry, with faigle acting as a partner and supplier, allowing it to provide regional customers with outstanding products and top-quality service. Like its sister facility in Hard, the Suzhou plant specialises in development and production.
70th anniversary
2017
Following a programme of modernisation as well as construction of new high bay warehouses, production facilities and offices at all three European locations, the faigle Group – with 400 employees spread across four sites – celebrates its 70th anniversary, and passes the EUR 70 million revenue mark for the first time.
New technologies
2019
Now in its third generation under Friedrich Faigle, the business focuses on new technologies, process engineering, digital-networking synergies and knowledge management.
AMBITIOUS, PASSIONATE, INNOVATIVE – FAIGLE PLASTICS SOLUTIONS.
moving forward
New group management
2021
faigle expands its management team: as of 1 July, Wolfgang Faigle (CEO), Friedrich Faigle (COO) and Roland Bartenbach (CFO) form the faigle Group’s new senior management. The change forms part of a generational shift, and also puts faigle on a sustainable, viable footing that leaves the Group ideally placed for further growth.
Scalable wheel assembly
2024
faigle Kunststoffe GmbH unveils its latest innovation at LogiMAT 2024: the Swivel wheel comfort assembly. Manufactured from high-performance plastics, it significantly improves energy efficiency and also makes a major contribution to sustainability.
Friedrich Faigle
2024
On 1 January 2024, the faigle Group completes a generational transition: Friedrich Faigle takes over as CEO of the faigle Group, which has two sites in Austria and one each in Switzerland and China. He succeeds his father Wolfgang, who hands over control of the business to the third generation of the Faigle family after 40 years of dedicated and pioneering leadership.
Strategic investment in new cast polyurethane production line in China
2024
The faigle Group expands its international production capacity and technological capabilities with a new cast polyurethane production line in China. This strategic investment strengthens faigle's market position and opens up new applications. It also complements the Group's current injection-moulding technologies by adding an extended portfolio of premium plastics solutions for international industries.
2025 Red Dot Design Award for IGOSTRAP® air
2025
The IGOSTRAP® air wins the Red Dot Design Award – one of the world’s top product design prizes. faigle Kunststoffe's hanging strap lands the award for its smart, joined-up design, modular system and easy installation – as well as its outstanding combination of functionality, comfort, safety and eye-catching aesthetics.
Management restructuring
2026
faigle realigns its strategy and appoints Christian Hansl as the Group's new CEO. He is responsible for the international group's operational management as well as the continued development of its locations worldwide.
At the same time, Friedrich Faigle makes the switch to faigle Holding. As the new Chairman, his focus is on the family business's long-term direction and sustainable ongoing development.