History

TESTEX is an independent Swiss Textile Testing Institute serving the textile industry. The history of TESTEX is part of the history of Zurich and also of the Swiss silk industry. The silk trade between Como and Zurich is documented since 1237. The «Seidentrocknungsanstalt» was founded on 22 September 1846 on the initiative of the silk manufacturers from all over Switzerland. This neutral laboratory developed quickly and soon provided services for the entire European textile industry. Its field of activities was first confined to analysis of raw silk but soon expanded to all textile materials. The company's name was altered to TESTEX in 1970 to reflect the increasing number of new tests being performed. The textile physics department was joined by the department of textile chemistry in 1988 and by the analytical department in 1992. After restructuring measures in the year 2000 the departments were redefined as Textile Testing, Analytical Department and Industrial & Institutional Service.

One of the company's most significant steps was to set up a subsidiary in Hong Kong in 1995. TESTEX thus established a presence at the centre of what is currently the most significant region of the global textile industry, therefore preparing the company for future developments.

Milestones

1846     «Zurich Seidentrocknungsanstalt» is founded by silk manufacturers.
1847Silk testing operations commence at Thalgasse.
1848Branch office is opened in Basel.
1861The house «Zum weissen Bären» in Bärengasse is purchased; testing operations expanded, occupied in 1863.
1872Organisational and financial independence of the branch office in Basle 1890 Range of services expanded, new chemical laboratory inaugurated, warehousing operations commenced.
1921Granted the status of a bounded ware house.
1932Move to new premises at the company's present head office, Gotthardstrasse 61.
1939Independent personnel welfare institution established.
1970Company name changed to TESTEX AG.
1993Joined the Oeko-Tex, International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology.
1995Opened TESTEX Hong Kong branch office.
1999Opened TESTEX Shanghai representative office.
2001Opened TESTEX Seoul representative office.
2002Opened TESTEX Beijing representative office.
2004Opened TESTEX Taipei representative office.
2004Opened TESTEX Kuala Lumpur representative office.
2005Opened TESTEX Jakarta representative office.
2007Opening TESTEX (Beijing) Testing and Certification Co. Ltd (TTC).
2010Opened TESTEX Melbourne representative office.
2011Opened TESTEX Dublin representative office.