A partner who understands your needs

Alu Menziken is your technological partner for high-quality extrusion press products and complex assemblies that meet the highest standards in terms of alloy properties, tolerances and surfaces. With comprehensive engineering proficiency and customer-oriented add-on services, we bring out the best in aluminium.

At the cutting edge of technology

Thanks to our ability to adapt new technologies, we are always at the cutting edge of process engineering. This know-how is continuously expanded and strengthens our innovative resourcefulness.

Comprehensive expertise

Our in-house segment specialists with comprehensive expertise and substantiated market knowledge support you in the realisation of your products. We will gladly work out highly cost-effective, customised solutions with you.

Experts in Aluminium

Alu Menziken operates one of the most modern aluminium extrusion press lines in Europe, offering the desired flexibility and consistently high quality in the extrusion of high-grade and complex profiles and tubes. Precise high-performance saws and modern CNC machinery enable efficient processing of the semi-finished product. A wide range of surface treatment options increase the value retention of the lightweight components or give them an attractive, refined appearance. State-of-the-art welding and joining technologies are used to create sophisticated assemblies and components.

HISTORY

In 1807, the Englishman Sir Humphry Davy melts iron with alumina (clay) and obtains an iron-aluminium alloy. For a fraction of a second before it fuses with the iron, aluminium is released as a metal for the first time. The foundation for the development of our products is laid. Today, we are taking you back to the most important milestones in a company history spanning more than 120 years:

1897
The beginning

Alfred Gautschi, born in Menziken in 1871 († 1955), lays the foundation for Alu Menziken in Fleurier at the age of 26. The skilled mechanic’s experiments with the new material aluminium quickly make him one of the pioneers of the Swiss aluminium industry.

1899
The first production

Gautschi produces the first aluminium pulleys for the watch industry. He receives more and more orders from the automotive industry for engine casings, which leads to the expansion of the foundry.

1903
The expansion continues

1903
In addition to a new foundry, Gautschi sets up an experimental rolling mill for the production of aluminium foils.

1905
Patent application for the rolling technology used for the production of aluminium foils. The production of aluminium products is diversified and expanded. In addition to rolled products, kitchen products are now also being manufactured.

1908
Relocation to the new plant in Menziken. The strong order situation prompts company founder Gautschi to double employees’ salaries and set up an employee disability fund.

1918
The company’s output has increased more than tenfold since the construction of the rolling mill in Menziken.

1928
With the acquisition of the first vertical extrusion press with a pressing force of 350 tonnes, the company lays the foundation for a successful future as an internationally recognised extrusion plant.

1946
Aluminium AG Menziken

1946
The company is renamed ‘Aluminium AG Menziken’ and starts producing profiles for house construction.

1954
Commissioning of the 2,500-tonne extrusion press in Menziken, one of the most modern in the world at that time.

1956
The company supplies profiles for the aerospace industry for the first time.

1960
Start of construction of the new company headquarters in Menziken, which is inaugurated in 1962.

1962
Expansion and restructuring

1962
In Reinacher Moos, the company builds a new extrusion plant with a total area of 3,800 m² and a full basement.

1969
Expansion of the extrusion plant in Reinach to accommodate a paint shop, polishing shop and a fully automated anodising plant.

1978
By the end of the year, Alu Menziken Group employs 966 people.

1983
Alu Menziken Group gains a foothold in the USA.

1991
Alu Menziken Group takes over the American hard alloy extrusion plant Universal Alloy Corporation (UAC) in Anaheim, CA. UAC mainly supplied aircraft factories with high-strength semi-finished aluminium products.

1992
The US trading company Intercontinental Metals (IME) in Miami, Florida, joins the Alu Menziken Group. IME trades in aluminium rolled products for the aircraft industry. Alu Menziken Group acquires Afag AG with branches in Huttwil, Aarberg and Berlin (Germany).

1998
Alu Menziken Guss AG in Gontenschwil casts the world’s heaviest aluminium casting, weighing 7.3 tonnes. The momentous achievement is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

2002
Commissioning of the new 3,500-tonne extrusion line, the most modern plant of its kind in the world.

2003
Alu Menziken Extrusion AG

Alu Menziken Industrie AG is renamed Alu Menziken Extrusion AG.

2007
Today’s Alu Menziken Group is created

2007
Montana Tech Components AG takes over the Alu Menziken Group.

2008
Disposal of Universal Alloy Corp. (UAC), USA, to the Montana Group.

2009
Alu Menziken commissions a new 1,600 tonne press in record time and integrates it into the unmanned logistics system.

2012
Construction of a new foundry in Reinach (CH)

2014
Acquisition of Euromotive in Austria

2017
Acquisition of Universal Aerospace Components AG

2018
Opening of the new foundry and extrusion plant with approx. 250 jobs in Satu Mare, Romania. The state-of-the-art plant features an aluminium billet casthouse and two extrusion presses.

2020
Integration into the Montana Aerospace

2024
Acquired by Mengtai Germany GmbH
- a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mengtai Group