Katadyn

The Swiss company Katadyn is the world's number one for individual water purification systems and products with a global market share of over 50 percent. For over 80 years, Katadyn has been developing water filters, sterilizers and mobile desalination devices for the trekking and marine sectors. Numerous international aid organizations and special army units use the products to help people survive and save lives.

 

The history of Katadyn goes back to an invention by Munich professor Alexander Krause to electrolytically release silver ions into water and thus sterilize it. Katadyn began producing ceramic filters back in the 1930s and relocated its headquarters to Switzerland. In the 1970s, Katadyn expanded its business activities to include municipal drinking water treatment by UV irradiation.

 

At the end of 1998, Adrian Schmassmann and other members of the management acquired the Katadyn Group in the frame of a management buyout. In 1999, the UV water treatment activities were merged with the German competitor WEDECO and floated on the stock exchange.

 

In 2001, Katadyn acquired the two American companies Exstream and PUR Outdoor, making it the largest supplier of portable water treatment systems. With PUR Outdoor, portable seawater desalination systems were also added. Just one year later, the French subsidiary was established through the acquisition of a specialist dealer and a sales office was founded in Singapore.

 

Since 2004, Katadyn has diversified in the outdoor market with additional brands: In addition to "Trek'n Eat", the number one for outdoor and expedition food in Europe, the Swedish brand Optimus with outdoor cooking stoves and accessories has also been part of the company since the end of 2007.

At the end of 2009, the Katadyn Group expanded its business area to include industrial and municipal water treatment and acquired a majority stake in the AQUAFIDES Group with branches in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

 

Katadyn produces at its headquarters in Kemptthal, Zurich, and has subsidiaries and sales offices in Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, the USA and Singapore as well as a production facility in Romania. The company employs around 180 people worldwide and expects sales of around CHF 50 million in 2013.