History of Gerber InstrumentsHistory of Gerber Instruments

History of Gerber Instruments

Dr. Niklaus Gerber

1850 
  • Born in Thun, studied chemistry in Bern and Zurich, study visits in Paris and Munich, employed at the Swiss American Milk Co. in Little Falls N.Y. for two years and came back to Switzerland
1887
  • Foundation of the first dairy in Zurich, search for processes, in order to analyse and improve the bad milk quality at that time
1892
  • Presentation of the acid butyrometery in the Schweizerischen Milchzeitung as a simple and reliable method to determine the fat content
  • Start of production of butyrometers in Zurich
  • Even the Gerber method is being used as reference method to determine the fat Content worldwide
1903/
1904
  • Foundation of the company “Acid-Butyrometrie GmbH” in Leipzig
  • Foundation of the company “Dr.N.Gerber’s Co.m.b.H. Leipzig and Zurich” for the production,
    improvement and new development as well as the sales of Gerber instruments
1905
  • Installation of the most modern dairy in Europe in Zurich
1914
  • Deceased
 

 

Walo N. Gerber - Son of Dr. Niklaus Gerber

1881 
  • Born in Little Falls, N.Y.
1915
  • Took over the companies from his father
  • Renaming of the company in Zurich to “Dr.N.Gerber’s Söhne”
  • Due to the turmoil of the 1st world war the worldwide sales was continued from Zurich
1939
  • Then the headquarters in Zurich also took over the production of all milk test instruments, since the 2nd world war cut off the subsidiary at Leipzig from the export markets
1945
  • The company in Leipzig surviveed the 2nd world war, but it was managed by communists and socialists later on
1949
  • Deceased
 

Jim E. Gerber - Son of Walo Niklaus Gerber

1919 
  • Born in Zürich
1949
  • Took over the company from his father
  • Renaming of the company to “J.E.Gerber & Co.” in Zurich
1950
  • Foundation of the company “Dr.N.Gerber GmbH” in Munich, in order to compensate the losses of the company in Leipzig and to serve the markets in Germany and Austria
1962
  • Deceased
 

Karl Schneider - Successor of Jim E. Gerber

1924 
  • Started as apprentice in the company “Dr.N.Gerber’s Söhne” in Zurich, got later promoted to the role of Sales Manager, Proxy and limited partner
1962
  • Took over the headquarters in Zurich (the Manager of Munich bought the subsidiary there and continued business self-dependent)
1963
  • Renaming of the company to “K. Schneider & Co. AG, formerly J.E.Gerber & Co.”
1993
  • Sale of the company to Hans Rudolph Bühler
 

Hans Rudolph Bühler -Successor of Karl Schneider

1968 
  • Entrance in the company “K. Schneider & Co. AG, formerly J.E.Gerber & Co.” as Sales Manager and later General Manager
1991
  • Relocation of the company from Zurich to Effretikon
1993
  • Purchase of the company “K. Schneider & Co. AG, formerly J.E.Gerber & Co.” 
  • Renaming of the company to “Gerber Instruments AG”
2009
  • Sale of the company to Remo Schweizer
 

Gerber Instruments today

Since 120 years to nowadays Gerber Instruments AG remains the Swiss seal of approval for the quality determination in milk and dairy products.

Our analysis instruments from aerometers to centrifuges are successfully used all around the world. Also the customers from the waste water, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and many others appreciate the reliability as well as the service by Gerber Instruments AG.

We are looking forward to continue with or start a new successful cooperation with you and will be at your service with our skilled and dedicated employees.

Your Gerber-Team