Type Brand Area served Worldwide Website www.zyliss.com Founded 1951 | Industry Consumer products Parent DKB Household USA Founder Karl Zysset | |
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Products Kitchen Products and Gadgets, Knives and Cutlery, Food Choppers, Graters, Slicers Headquarters Farnborough, United Kingdom | ||
Zyliss easy pull
Zyliss is a Swiss manufacturer of kitchen and cooking products. The Zyliss brand is now owned and operated by Diethelm Keller Brands AG
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Zyliss hand held slicer
History
Zyliss as it is known today was founded by trained bicycle mechanic, Karl Zysset (1907-1998) in 1951. The company launched its first product, the onion chopper, with the slogan "Zig-Zig Zyliss". In 1982 the company was sold to two investors who in turn sold the operation in 1985 to the Diethelm Keller Holding Group. In 2001, Zyliss partnered with the design firm, IDEO to develop a series of kitchen products that have gone on to see worldwide success.
In the year 2003 the company reduced its number of employees from 105 to 80 and the company's management announced that the production site of Zyliss would be relocated. After a protest in Switzerland the move was cancelled. Most of the team moved to China during the mid-2000s. The headquarters were also moved to Zurich in December 2005. The company currently has 120 employees.
Inventions
Three notable inventions have been developed by Zyliss including the Garlic Press, the Salad Spinner, and the Onion Chopper. The "garlic susi" has an accompanying tool cleaner, and has been produced since the mid-20th century. The company also began creating the Zyliss vice (a home improvement tool) in the 1970s and has sold a slicing mandolin. The company has worked with IDEO on projects including the salad spinner, specifically on the aesthetic and visual components.