{"id":14576,"date":"2021-09-17T17:57:06","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T15:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hifi-filter.sitendev.com\/notre-histoire\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T09:21:57","slug":"our-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hifi-filter.com\/en\/our-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Our history"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201c<\/span>Discover the story of how a small filter reseller became a world leader in separation and filtration technology.\u201c<\/span><\/div>\n

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1977<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

The beginning of a story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Passionate about cars and with a background in heavy goods vehicle mechanics, Pierre HIRSCHI was only 19 years old when he realised that there was a lack of a reference in filtration for professionals. Relying on his father’s experience in the distribution of spare parts, and with the help of his wife Martine, he created P.HIRSCHI FILTRES (which became HIFI FILTER SA in 2019) in Savagnier, Switzerland, on 1 August 1977. In the attic of a small garage, he stored his first boxes of filters, ready to go in search of his future customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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1977<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

On the road…<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ON THE ROAD…
\n<\/strong>Equipped with a first van that was colourful to say the least, Pierre HIRSCHI criss-crossed the roads of French-speaking Switzerland to seek out and deliver to his first customers, anxious to offer an irreproachable service and above all to become a trusted partner for their filter needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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1980<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

The click<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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THE CLICK<\/strong>
\nThe first participation in the Geneva Truck Show is a real turning point for the company. Visitors flocked to the stand, enthusiastic about the concept but above all aware of the added value that this partner could have in their daily lives. The success is such that the company’s reputation and sales increase significantly afterwards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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1983<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Creation of the first building<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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CREATION OF THE FIRST BUILDING<\/strong>
\nFaced with the influx of requests from all over Switzerland, the Savagnier warehouse quickly became too small. The construction of a new building in Cernier provided a much larger storage area, adapted to the ambition and growth of the company. Several expansions were carried out over the years to increase the area from 800m\u00b2 in 1983 to over 5,000m\u00b2 today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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1989<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Establishment in France<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ESTABLISHMENT IN FRANCE<\/strong>
\nIn just over 10 years, P.HIRSCHI FILTERS has established itself firmly in the Swiss market. France offers new perspectives, especially for a European opening. On 1 October 1989, JURA FILTRATION (which became HIFI FILTER France in 2020) was founded in Villers-le-Lac, a small town on the Swiss border. Next door to the local pharmacy, and despite a limited surface area of 130 m\u00b2, the French subsidiary grew at a dizzying pace. It moved to Houtaud 2 years later in a building offering, after various extensions, more than 4000 m\u00b2 of storage space.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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1991<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Customer focus<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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CUSTOMER FOCUS<\/strong>
\nWith a strong commitment to quality customer service, the Group designs several tools to make users’ daily lives easier. The first catalogues of applications and matches were published. At a time when the Internet did not yet exist, they enabled customers to find the filters they needed quickly and easily. A small revolution in the field of filtration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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1996<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Birth of the HIFI FILTER\u00ae brand<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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BIRTH OF THE HIFI FILTER\u00ae BRAND<\/strong>
\nWishing to assert itself in the world of filtration and faced with increasingly strong competition, the Group decided to create its own brand. HIFI FILTER\u00ae was registered in 1996 and over the years has become a recognised brand, renowned for the depth of its range and the quality of its products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2002<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

A new site for the French subsidiary<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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A NEW SITE FOR THE FRENCH SUBSIDIARY<\/strong>
\nThe French subsidiary moves to a new site in Pontarlier. Various expansions allow for a considerable increase in storage capacity and thus the development of new markets in France and worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2007<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Establishment in Romania<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ESTABLISHMENT IN ROMANIA<\/strong>
\nRomania, which has just joined the European Union, is home to the Group’s third subsidiary. HIFI FILTER ROM opens in 2007 in Bucharest. A wonderful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Group.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2013<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Establishment in Poland<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ESTABLISHMENT IN POLAND<\/strong>
\nHIFI FILTER POLSKA opens its doors near Warsaw. With more than 6,000 m\u00b2 of storage space, the Polish subsidiary quickly became a driving force for the Group and a launch pad for many Eastern European<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2016<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Establishment in Spain<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ESTABLISHMENT IN SPAIN<\/strong>
\nIn order to meet the growing demand of the Spanish market, the Group set up in Madrid under the name of HIFI FILTER IBERIA and thus offers greater proximity and reactivity to customers in the Iberian Peninsula.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2017<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

40 years!<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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40 YEARS!<\/strong>
\nIn 40 years, HIFI FILTER\u00ae has become one of the main players in filtration and separation in Europe and worldwide. Driven by the passion of the Hirschi family and supported by committed and professional people, the Group’s rise is the reward for a great family and entrepreneurial adventure.
\nIn 2017, HIFI FILTER\u00ae is present in 5 European countries, with 400 employees, 35,000 m\u00b2 of storage space and a range of over 60,000 products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2017<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Establishment in Zurich<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ESTABLISHMENT IN ZURICH<\/strong>
\nA new office is set up in Zurich with the aim of providing technical and commercial support to customers in German-speaking Switzerland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2017<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Opening of the Logistic Center<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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OPENING OF THE LOGISTIC CENTER<\/strong>
\nIn addition to the Pontarlier site, HIFI FILTER FRANCE is building a new logistics centre to increase its storage capacity and serve its customers throughout the world ever more rapidly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2020<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

First steps in manufacturing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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FIRST STEPS IN MANUFACTURING<\/strong>
\nHIFI FILTER\u00ae opens its first production unit in Tunis, Tunisia. Producing quality air filters, H-FACTORY is intended to offer greater flexibility and responsiveness to the Group’s subsidiaries and their customers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2021<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Establishment in the UK<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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ESTABLISHMENT IN THE UK<\/strong>
\nWith the aim of establishing a long-term presence in the United Kingdom, the Group acquires the company Sterling Filtration, which becomes HIFI FILTER UK. Based near Birmingham, the British subsidiary is also a response to the issues and problems generated by the Brexit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2023<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

New production plants<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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A NEW PRODUCTION PLANT<\/strong><\/p>\n

HIFI FILTER\u00ae is strengthening its position in filtration with the opening of a new factory: HIFI FACTORY POLSKA (Poland). This consolidates our production capacity to better meet growing market demand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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2024<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n

Strengthening of global presence<\/h2>\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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STRENGTHENING OF GLOBAL PRESENCE<\/b><\/p>\n

HIFI FILTER\u00ae continues its international expansion with the opening of a new entity in Germany and the acquisition of FILVENT in South Africa. These operations enable the group to strengthen its proximity to key markets and consolidate its position as a leading player in the field of filtration worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n

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\u201c<\/span>Today, HIFI FILTER is one of the best known filter brands in the world. A family business since our creation and with 500 employees, we continue to pursue our goal of improving the daily lives of more than 30,000 professionals who trust us.\r\nThanks to you, our history continues to be written and reinvented every day.\u201c<\/span><\/div>\n

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