Wolfensberger is a family-run enterprise built on a strong tradition of pioneering achievement, quality craftsmanship, and dedication to the world of art.
| 15 March 1902 | Johann Edwin Wolfensberger establishes Graphische Anstalt J.E. Wolfensberger AG. Born on 18 June 1873 in Kaufbeuren in the German Allgäu, the “Big Wolf”, as he was known, came to Zurich in 1896. In 1902 he took over a small printing shop on Gessnerallee in Zurich. |
| 1909 | Construction of new premises commences on Bederstrasse, which at that time lay outside the city gates. The “Wolfsberg” building is a combined commercial and residential property. This marks the beginning of a new era in Switzerland, with the new Weltformat-size poster, artistic tourism posters, and exhibitions of contemporary artists on the same premises. |
| 20 November 1944 | Johann Edwin Wolfensberger dies, leaving the printing works in the hands of his only son, Jakob Edwin Wolfensberger, born on 2 July 1901. Jakob Edwin resembles his father in many respects. |
| 1956 | Wolfensberger starts to move over from lithography to the more modern technology of offset printing. The printing works develops special competence in high-end colour printing and gold bronzing. Under Jakob Edwin Wolfensberger the business still includes the Wolfsberg Kunstsalon art gallery and the Wolfsberg Verlag publishing house. |
| 30 April 1968 | The joint-stock company J.E. Wolfensberger AG is established. Jakob Edwin Wolfensberger’s two eldest sons start working for the company. |
| 27 August 1971 | Jakob Edwin Wolfensberger dies. Rudolf Wolfensberger takes over management of the printing company, while Jürg Edwin heads the Kunstsalon Wolfsberg gallery. |
| 1985 | The organisation, comprising the printing company, the gallery and the publishing house, now employs 50 people. New premises are acquired in Birmensdorf, Canton Zurich. The company operates two production facilities. |
| 2005 | The Birmensdorf premises are extended and remodelled, and now house the offset printing unit and administrative staff. The lithographic printing operation finds suitable premises at Eglistrasse 8 in Zurich. |
| 2010 | A comprehensive joint venture is established with Printlink AG in Zurich. The production facilities are renewed and extended on a permanent basis. |
| 2013/2014 | From October 2013 to March 2014, the Swiss National Museum in Zurich stages “Ready to print: art and advertising at Wolfensberger”. The vibrant exhibition showcases a broad range of the company’s printed work and art reproductions, paying homage to both the firm and its founders. www.gutzumdruck.landesmuseum.ch |
| 2016 | The joint venture is extended. Alongside the six-year partnership with Printlink AG, Gebo Druck AG now also produces print media at the Minergie-certified facility. |
| 2019 | J. E. Wolfensberger invests into a large-format printer. The long tradition of billboard printing is strengthened with a UV-LED Inkjet-printer. It prints high-quality posters and billboards For indoor and outdoor use. www.plakatwolf.ch |
