2020 - Handover GL to third generation
After 23 years of business activity, Viktor Koch, Franz Koch and Hugo Koch hand over the reins to the 3rd generation. Oliver Koch (son of Viktor Koch), Kuno Koch (son of Franz Koch), and Franz Gaisberger (son-in-law of Hugo Koch) take over the management. Viktor, Franz and Hugo together form the Board of Directors.
2014 - Company founder deceased
Only one year after her beloved spouse, she too was allowed to fall asleep in peace. Maria Koch-Schmid September 29, 1917 - March 1, 2014 Quote: "The most precious thing you leave us are traces of your life and love in our hearts, images, moments and feelings that remind us of you and make us believe that you are with us!"
2005 – Storm
A storm in August significantly destroyed large parts of the infrastructure. The damage amounted to over two million francs. With the subsequent repair, innovative steps are also being taken into the future. Josef Koch AG is investing in a completely new heating system using renewable energy. Since December 2005, Josef Koch AG heats with a 110 kW wood pellet heating system.
2002 - Takeover of Pökomat
On April 1, 2002, the management signs the contract for the acquisition of the Swiss company "Pökomat". Pökomat is the worldwide epitome of high quality Swiss curing injection machines. The easy handling, the modern technology and the well thought-out concept offers everything for the comfortable refinement of meat, fish or poultry. This opportunity to make the step from a national to an international company arose from the death of the spiritual father and founder of Pökomat, Max Hübner. Similar to Josef Koch Senior, he also managed the rise from a "one-man-show" to a nationally and internationally known company with the help of his family. Josef Koch Senior and Max Hübner maintained a very friendly and trusting business relationship from the very beginning. The fact that the Pökomat brand remains in Swiss hands and that the label can continue to exist successfully is a priority for both parties. Therefore, it was obvious that Josef Koch AG would take over Pökomat. Pökomat's entire warehouse and production facility could be accommodated on the free floor that was created during the new construction.
1999 - 2000 Company expansion / new building
The new managing directors set to work with great élan and invest millions. On May 21, 1999, they are able to start a decisive company expansion and this take an important step for a successful future of the company. The new building with its many glass fronts is bright and friendly. In almost all parts of the workshop, they allow work to be carried out in natural daylight. An additional 1’250 m2 of space are now available on three floors and offer all 23 employees sufficient room and scope for development. The space available in the workshop has been doubled, and in the production department it has even been quadrupled. The four company-owned customer service vehicles are parked in a covered shelter.
1997 - Handover of Management to the second generation
After 35 years in business, Josef Koch Senior hands over to the 2nd generation. The three eldest sons, Viktor, Franz and Hugo take over the management and are at the same time considered the sole shareholders. With a lot of ambition they drive the company forward. They gradually improve and optimize outdated work processes. And further business expansion is already on the cards.
1977 - New building
With the ground-breaking ceremony on July 7, 1977, Josef Koch laid the foundation stone for the future of the business. The spacious new building at Werkstrasse 6 in the industrial area with additional living quarters, a large workshop, storage space and six offices offered sufficient space from then on.
1971- 1977 Growth
Economic growth in Switzerland was booming, and the Josef Koch Company flourished by taking over further general agencies. The business was bursting at the seams. Various external warehouses had to be rented in order to meet the delivery volume. This prompted Josef Koch to look for a suitable building site in the municipality of Malters. The planned new building was finally to offer sufficient space to accommodate production, warehouse and office facilities at one location. In the industrial area of Malters, he acquired a suitable building site from the municipality of Malters in order to take a further step into the future of the company. The planning was in full swing and on 7.7.1977 the ground-breaking ceremony for the new building took place.
1965 – 1971 New premises & Business expansion
Due to the rapid growth, Josef Koch has to look for new premises and is able to employ the first family members in the company with his eldest daughters. The new building at Luegetenstrasse 17 in Malters with a small warehouse, a workshop and an office can be occupied. Extension of the existing premises by warehouse, workshop and office space.
1961 - Josef Koch Sen. sets first milestone
After 16 years working as an independent butcher and head sausage maker at the Kreuz butcher's shop in Malters (now Hotel Restaurant Kreuz, Malters), Josef Koch Senior begins selling butcher's equipment and casings; he also teaches roulade courses on the side. When a customer approaches him with a request for uniformly shaped Bündnerfleisch, the trained butcher invents the press bar, which is still common today and is used in pneumatic and manual dry meat presses. They perform 4-5 operations in a single process, this saving an enormous amount of time during the drying and pressing process. With his car fully loaded with his Bündnerfleischpressschienen, he then travels daily in the following year to eastern Switzerland, the Grisons and the Valais and presents his ingenious invention to every butcher. And it works. By 1962, practically every butcher owns his Bündnerfleischpressschienen. He then involves his children in the production of his other inventions. On their free afternoons, his sons produce sausage coil and bacon hooks, earning their first pocket money.
