The company About us
BBC Bircher Smart Access
We are BBC Bircher Smart Access
Where safety meets innovation
BBC Bircher Smart Access develops, manufactures, and distributes sensor systems designed to manage growing global flows of people and vehicles and to create access systems that are convenient and energy-efficient. The innovative sensor manufacturer is constantly developing new solutions to address upcoming challenges in industry and healthcare.
Certifications and Standards: Safety First!
Safety for people, vehicles, and facilities: BBC Bircher Smart Access is committed to meeting this requirement for its customers. That is why the sensor manufacturer sets the highest quality standards for itself and its products.
Certified safety, durability, and user-friendliness are the company’s top priorities. To maintain and continuously improve these standards, BBC Bircher Smart Access develops its high-quality products in accordance with national and international standards and type testing.
Six decades dedicated to automation solutions
Founded in 1957 near Schaffhausen, BBC Bircher Smart Access has grown into a leading provider of automation solutions with an increasing focus on gate and door applications. Today, the integration of BBC Bircher Smart Access into the BBC Group provides a strong foundation for sustainable growth and long-term success. The privately held group comprises seven subsidiaries with diverse activities in the industrial sector. All companies within the BBC Group are committed to being recognized as outstanding specialists in their respective markets.
Individual customer solutions
As a solutions provider, BBC Bircher Smart Access is able to tailor its offerings to meet each customer’s specific needs and requirements. Approximately 180 employees worldwide work with great passion to achieve this. Guided by the values of commitment, integrity, teamwork, and courage, BBC Bircher Smart Access earns and upholds the trust of its customers and partners every day. The Schaffhausen-based sensor manufacturer aims to continue growing and designing high-end solutions for you.
Mission & business values
…smart and safe access
BBC Bircher Smart Access develops intelligent sensor and security solutions for safe, convenient and energy-efficient access to buildings, facilities and vehicles. As an innovation leader, we design modern access systems for the flow of people and vehicles worldwide.
Our solutions support important future trends such as integration & digitalization, sustainability, user experience, safety and security. We combine technological expertise with Swiss quality and a deep understanding of a wide range of applications and markets.
The outstanding expertise of our global network makes us a reliable partner and ensures a simple, collaborative partnership. At the same time, we create an attractive and cooperative environment for our employees in which innovation, responsibility and personal development are encouraged.
Teamwork
We believe in working together as partners, mutual trust and shared success.
Integrity
We act responsibly, transparently and reliably – towards customers, partners and employees.
Courage
We think ahead, drive innovation and break new ground in sensor and access technology.
Commitment
We are passionate about intelligent solutions, top quality and sustainable customer benefits.
Our History
Founded in Schaffhausen in 1957, the then small company Max Bircher specialized in the manufacture and trade of machines and small electrical control systems.
Shortly thereafter, the company began designing and manufacturing its own electromechanical devices, particularly programmable controllers and electronic time relays. This venture proved highly successful: by 1962, Bircher already had 60 employees.
Success made in Switzerland
The beginnings of a success story (1963-1969)
In 1963, Bircher takes over the so-called “Lüthy pressure wave switch”. As a switching element for safety and comfort applications, this provides an enormously important building block for the development of today’s quality products. In 1964, the first spatial expansions are necessary. At the same time, the first in-house development department is created.
Growth and specialization (1970-1989)
In the mid-sixties, the company is reorganized into the business areas of systems, control systems and engineering, which today form BBC Bircher Automation. The sole proprietorship Max Bircher is converted into a public limited company in 1975. The company specializes in apparatus engineering, industrial electronics, process automation and switchgear. At this time, the company already had over 250 employees. In 1976, Max Bircher-Moll founded Bifima Holding AG, which only four years later had twelve subsidiaries and 550 employees, in order to push ahead with his plan for further acquisitions. In 1989, the founder handed over the reins to his son Max Bircher-Büsser. In the same year, the company receives its first certification with the – at the time – high ISO 9001 standard.
Internationalization and new perspectives (from 1991)
In 1991, Giorgio Behr and three other partners take over the systems engineering company. Under the motto “BIRCHER POWER”, they lead the way to a successful future. Just three years later, business activities were expanded and Bircher Asia Pacific in Malaysia and Bircher America Inc. in Chicago were founded. These companies concentrate on serving the local markets by manufacturing safety edges and safety mats, among other things.
The step into the future of sensor technology (2000-2005)
Bircher specializes primarily in door technology, but soon realizes that door sensors are gaining in importance. As a result, Bircher searches for and finds the right acquisition opportunity: the company Reglomat in Speicher, which is taken over in 2000. Reglomat specializes in the manufacture of sensors for contactless switching in the door area and therefore offers Bircher the ideal complement in terms of experience and know-how.
Expansion of the product portfolio and new technologies (2006-2015)
Since then, the company has been operating as Bircher Reglomat, offering the full range of comfort and safety products for doors and gates. Modern products that react both tactilely and without touch are constantly being developed.
BBC Bircher Smart Access stands for safety mats, safety edges, infrared and radar sensors of the best Swiss quality.
BBC Bircher Smart Access today
Despite a competitive market with constantly growing flows of people and vehicles, BBC Bircher Smart Access has managed to gain an international foothold. The company will continue to implement secure, convenient and energy-saving high-end solutions for you.
