 | |
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer products |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Founder | Karl Zysset (1907-1998) |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Kitchen Products and Gadgets, Knives and Cutlery, Food Choppers, Graters, Slicers |
| Parent | DKSH |
| Website | www |
Zyliss is a Swiss manufacturer of kitchen utensils. Originally a private company, Zyliss is now a brand owned by DKSH, a Swiss holding company.[1][2]
Zyliss was founded by trained bicycle mechanic, Karl Zysset (1907—1998) in 1951.[3] The names Zyliss is based on a combination of the founder's surname and the town of Lyss, Switzerland where the first factory was established.
The company launched its first product, the onion chopper, with the slogan "Zig-Zig Zyliss".[4]
In 1982, the company was sold to two investors who in turn sold the operation in 1985 to the Diethelm Keller Holding Group, now DKSH.[3]
In 2001, Zyliss partnered with the design firm, IDEO to develop a series of kitchen products that have gone on to see worldwide success.[5]
In 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[6] the move was cancelled.[7][8] Thirty staff of the fifty in the Swiss team moved to China during the mid-2000s.[8][9] The headquarters were also moved to Zurich in December 2005.[10]
In 2008, Zyliss partnered with global design firm, RKS Design, to develop a new brand language including the Red Dot-winning salad spinner.[11]
In 2006, the company, Zyliss AG, was delisted and was consolidated into DKSH. Today, Zyliss is operated by DKB Household Switzerland AG, the household utensil subsidiary of DKSH.[12] This subsidiary currently has 120 employees and in addition to Zyliss they also operate the brand Cole & Mason (salt & pepper grinders and herb and spice tools) and the appliance brands Koenig and Turmix.[13]
Three notable inventions have been developed by Zyliss including the "Susi" garlic press,[14] the salad spinner, and an onion chopper.[15][16] The Susi garlic press has an accompanying tool cleaner, and has been produced since the mid-20th century.[17] The company also began creating the Zyliss vise (a home improvement tool) in the 1970s[18] and has sold a slicing mandoline.[19] The company has worked with IDEO on projects including the salad spinner, specifically on the aesthetic and visual components.[20]