History

Discover the history of Jakob Rope Systems. It all started in 1904: we originally manufactured hemp ropes for farmers in the heart of Switzerland. Today, three generations later, we are an international company.

Image collage with foto of Trubschachen 1904 and a portrait of Hans Jakob
1904

Hans Jakob founds the rope factory Jakob in Trubschachen in the Emmental valley in the heart of Switzerland.

Trubschachen and the first Jakob office in 1911
1911

During the early years, Jakob produces hemp ropes for local farmers. The family also deals with fodder and fertilisers.

Aerial view of Trubschachen in the 1920s and picture of the ropewalk
1927

The company develops along the railway tracks, where the first ropewalk is built.

Jakob ropes for agriculture
1939

Local farmers mostly demand fibre ropes such as sheaf cords.

Transport of the products, hemp ropes, by sleigh to Trubschachen station in the 1950s
1946

Forwarding of the finished products to the railway station.

Montage of images of fibre rope making in the 1950s and images of Hans junior and Eduard Jakob
1950

Hans junior and Eduard join their father’s business.

The first machines for the production of steel wires
1953

Jakob now produces its own wire ropes in Trubschachen with machines acquired from German company Vornbäumen.

Images of the new office building, the topping-out ceremony and the cover of a price list from 1960
1960

The company grows further and inaugurates a dedicated office building.

Construction of the second storey of the office building
1970

A second storey is built on top of the ropewalk.

Image montage of the Jakob office in 1970s, trade fair presentations and a price list
1976

With modern facilities and marketing activities, the company continues to develop.

Images of wire rope production in the 1980s and Martin and Peter Jakob
1984

Peter and Martin Jakob join the company representing the third generation of the Jakob family business. Soon after, the company launches its range of stainless steel cables for architecture.

The Jakob factory and Trubschachen in the 1990s
1995

The new stainless steel products are a success and necessitate the extension of the factory and the construction of modern production units in 1995.

Image of Webnet, Jakob’s most important product launched in 2002
2002

In 2002, Jakob Rope Systems introduces its most successful product to date, the stainless steel wire mesh Webnet.

The construction site of the factory extension in 2002
2002

In the year the Webnet wire mesh is introduced, Jakob also starts the construction of a new office building right next to the historical founding site of the company.

2003

The new office tract and headquarters is inaugurated.

Image of Jakob Saigon factory in 2008 with the flags of Jakob, Vietnam and Switzerland
2008

The large demand for Webnet products leads to the foundation of Jakob Saigon.

The reconstructed Ilfis Hall at night before a SCL Tigers ice hockey match
2011

Reconstruction of the Ilfis Hall, home of the ice hockey club SCL Tigers.
Jakob Rope Systems supports the event location as a main sponsor.

Habegger rope pulling machine
2016

Jakob Rope Systems acquires the venerable Habegger AG from Thun.

The new Jakob headquarters in Trubschachen finished in 2019
2019

The Jakob headquarters in Trubschachen are completely rebuilt creating modern production units and office space.

The second factory of Jakob Saigon features a greened facade
2019

The new factory of Jakob Saigon opens. Featuring a green facade and modern facilities for the local staff, the factory is pioneering in the region.

2021

A new milestone is being built at our main site in Trubschachen.

2022

Extension for the move-in of the Habegger production and expansion of photovoltaics.

2024

The opening of the new campus expands the SCL Tigers' infrastructure with a second ice field, a large athletics area and additional catering facilities. Jakob Rope Systems is making the expansion possible.