Who is Spühl?

Million of people rest, sleep or sit on innerspring units which have been made on Spühl or Fides machines. Our machines contribute substantially to relaxation and comfort of people around the world. Mattress and innerspring producers in more than 150 countries trust in our products. Spühl invests every year up to 10% of its turnover in research and product development.

Spühl GmbH was established in 1877 and is proud of its Swiss roots. Spühl is active today worldwide as a machinery manufacturing company that boasts vast technical knowledge, an innovative spirit. We distinguish ourselves by stable and lean processes and commit to sustainability.

Spühl is part of the American Leggett & Platt.

Wire forming machines

Spühl GmbH is the global leading manufacturer of wire forming machines for the automatic and partially automated production of innerspring units and hybrid products for the mattress and upholstered furniture industry. It develops and sells its Swiss-made machines in conjunction with its trade partners in over 150 countries. A comprehensive range of services and spare parts guarantees a high level of availability, retention of value, and service life.

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Custom machinery production

Spühl GmbH offers manufacturing of parts, assemblies or even entire machines for third parties. These are customized outsourcing solutions from design to customer service. High-quality contract manufacturing at internationally competitive prices. With its vast mechanical engineering know-how and direct access to the international sourcing markets, Spühl is your perfect outsourcing partner.

Custom machinery production »

Determined and motivating

The management team at Spühl GmbH maintains a determined and motivating leadership style, which is an essential part of the excellent work environment and the economic success of the company. Everybody works together. This is mainly achieved by:

Management by Objectives
Cooperation and team orientation
Leadership by coaching and motivation
Direct reporting structure
Promoting togetherness through various events and sporting activities

Management

Divisional Management

François Mouron Director Customer Service

Liza Vouzis Director Sales and Marketing

We leave an impression

Vision

Our customers sleep more comfortably in the long term

Mission

We use innovative solutions to impress our customers

Responsibility

Active and innovative behavior is part of our corporate culture. We encourage employees at all levels to display independence, a sense of responsibility, as well as active and respectful collaboration. Together we achieve our goals.

Service

We round out our products with our services to create a well-conceived complete package. In doing so, we are increasingly focusing on smart solutions such as real-time information and transparent production processes, and ensuring maximum availability.

Quality

Our products meet high quality standards. An important element in guaranteeing our quality is continuous improvement of existing processes, their consistent implementation and monitoring.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance)

We have high requirements for the longevity and value retention of our products. We offer solutions to our customers that make careful use of resources such as energy and materials and therefore equip them for a sustainable future. At the same time, we guarantee a high level of investment security. We take our responsibility towards our stakeholders including customers, employees, suppliers and the authorities seriously.

Reliability

Our customers rely on our services. They can fully concentrate on being successful while using our products and services.

An international success story

There are many good reasons underlying the successful history of Spühl. It is based on employees and apprentices who have made brave decisions with commitment, innovative strength, and a keen sense of the market. Although market requirements are changing, the focus has always been on quality and customer benefit.

History of Spühl GMBH

1877

Foundation of the Spühl

Heinrich Spühl founds the Spühl inventor's workshop in 1877 in St. Gallen. Called "Edison of St. Fiden" for his inventive activities, he developed a variety of machines and mechanisms. This includes a machine that produces innerspring units for furniture. This was licensed for sale in 1883 and 1886. The foundation for global success in innerspring machine production has been laid.

1886

First Spring Knotting Machine

This machine served to swing and knot the ends of the wire spring around the adjoining spring ring (patented invention, Heinrich Spühl).

1889 — 1900

Success at the World's Fair

In order to publicize his varied inventions and innovations, Heinrich Spühl traveled to Paris in 1889 and 1900 to exhibit at the Exposition Universelle Internationale. With success: In both years he wins two bronze and two silver medals for his inventions.

1930

First Furniture Spring Coiling Machine in the World

Development of the first mechanical coiling machine for the production of various types of furniture and mattress springs.

1935

A Patent for Pocket Spring Production Machine

On March 28, 1934, Emil and Julius Spühl, the sons of Heinrich Spühl, announce a patent for a machine for the production of spring-filled pocket strings for upholstery and mattresses. With registration of the patent on April 30, 1935, the first pocket spring machine was invented.

1954 — 1961

Construction of Plant II on Lukasstrasse

Due to the renewed demand immediately after the war, both the machine park and the number of staff need to be increased. The previous buildings turn out to be too small. Therefore, in the years 1954 to 1961, the so-called Plant II at Lukasstrasse 18 is being built in three development stages.

1967 — 1972

Construction of Wittenbach Site

After years of activity and growth since the beginning of Spühl, the available space in St. Gallen is running short. For this reason, the company, now called Spühl AG, expands to Wittenbach. After five years of construction activity, the existing production area is expanded by 14,500 m² in three stages. In addition, another 20,000 m² are available for future use.

1969

Introduction of the apprentice workshop

In order to guarantee optimal training of the apprentices, an apprentice workshop is set up in the production facilities. In it, up to 30 apprentices are individually prepared for their future job according to their level of education. To this day, Spühl GmbH is known regionally for its first-class apprenticeships in the following fields leading to the Swiss Certificate of Proficiency: automation technician, designer, and polymechanic.

1972

Founding of the Walter-und-Verena-Spühl-Foundation

The couple Walter and Verena Spühl, the third and last generation Spühl in the company, establish the foundation that bears their name. The two art lovers promote cultural and public interest institutions and activities in the city and in the canton of St. Gallen. The foundation still exists today and supports projects such as the Natural History Museum in St. Gallen completed in 2017.

1977

Over 100 Patents And 40 Inventions in 15 Countries

Taking stock on the occasion of the company’s centenary: Since its founding in 1877, the innovative company has registered over 100 patents and 40 inventions in 15 countries. In keeping with the style of founding father Heinrich Spühl, the company then as now focuses on the continuous development of machines and processes.

1978

Construction of the K-line

With the K-line Spühl moves away a bit from the well-known innerspring machine production and seeks new approaches for further development. The K-line includes foam systems, rotary carousel robots, and mixing and dosing machines. After successful implementation for a few years, the licenses are resold, and the company dedicates itself to new challenges.

1978

First Pocket Spring Machine with a Mechanical Coiling Head

With the TF-90, the first pocket innerspring machine with a mechanical coiling head is launched on the market and becomes a worldwide success.

1991

Acquisition of Fides SR.L.

The industry partner with a focus on flexible, reliable machines is taken over. The company, located in Forlì, Italy, makes it possible to sell machines in Central, South America and Asia. The traditional company is a perfect match for the company from Eastern Switzerland.

1997

Acquisition by Leggett & Platt Inc.

Leggett & Platt Inc. takes over Spühl AG. Spühl will be the center for innovative machines and solution developments for the bedding area. The new parent company employs 21,000 people in 126 production facilities in 19 countries.

1997

Complete transfer to Wittenbach

The location in St. Gallen on Lukasstrasse, which served as the main location for a long time, will be closed down and the company relocated completely to Wittenbach. The move to Wittenbach lays the foundation for further expansions. This is where the “lean journey" begins, or in other words, lean processes are introduced.

2005

Spühl Production Services launched

Digitization is also leading to innovations. Spühl is opening up new markets with the launch of Spühl Production Services SPS. Contract manufacturing is a core competence of Spühl GmbH. Through lean and modern processes, individual engineering solutions can be offered at internationally competitive prices. Furthermore, the existing production area in Wittenbach will be extended by 15,000m².

2005

SEPOS introduced

To further support customers, an Internet-based spare parts portal is introduced, which enables them to order spare parts by using illustrations of the machines. With one click, availability and price can be determined and past purchases can be accessed.

2009

Acquisition of CSA

As it did 30 years ago, Spühl has been looking for new challenges in the recent past as well. With the takeover of CSA, the move into winter sports succeeded. Today, existing machines are still equipped with original Spühl spare parts, serviced and ensure a good grip for skis and snowboards.

2013

Acquisition of Remex AG

Another company joins: The company Remex AG from Steinach is taken over. The company specializes in wire processing machines and is an ideal complement. With over 500 machines worldwide, Remex achieved significant market share in a short time.

2015

Spühl lays the foundation for Quantum® Edge technology

The continuous development of Spühl lays the foundation for the Quantum® Edge technology of Leggett & Platt Inc. By using additional spring elements, the edge area of the mattress is reinforced, which increases comfort.http://beddingcomponents.com/quantum-edge

2020

Hygiene masks made in Eastern Switzerland

The global pandemic is releasing unexpected energies at Spühl. Together with the company swiss-sonic Ultraschalll AG, a machine for the production of hygiene masks is developed within two months. After the successful production phase, Spühl focuses on the further development of machine technology and sells the first machine to Leggett & Platt.

2020

Merging the production sites in Wittenbach

In order to ensure the further development of the technologies and the preservation of the know-how, the production processes are transferred from the site in Forlí, Italy, to Wittenbach. All machines are now Swiss Made.

2024

Spühl360

Another milestone for Spühl Services has been reached. With Spühl360, our customers have access to the most user-friendly portal in the industry. And thus a digital all-round service.

2024

Spühl today

Spühl GmbH generates annual sales of around CHF 40 - 60 million and invests around CHF 7 million in research and development. The workforce comprises approx. 160 employees plus 30 apprentices. Spühl supplies customers worldwide with high-quality mechanical engineering products and offers first-class service.

Certificates

ISO 14001:2015

ISO 9001:2015

ISO 45001:2018