"On May 14, 1964, the foundation for the brand name and logo for today’s iSi Group was laid with the listing of the iSi Metallwarenfabrik GesmbH.
Since then, innovative strength and research have been the factors for success behind our international market leadership in pressurized gas systems. Today, the iSi Group is present worldwide with production and sales facilities, selling products to more than 90 countries. We provide customized solutions for all applications in which compact energy is required in the form of pressurized gas chargers."
Mag. Christian C. Pochtler
Owner and Executive Chairman
History
iSi is an Austrian institution that today is represented in more than 90 countries around the world.
iSi began as Karl Fischer-Pochtler GmbH. In the early 19th century, it was already producing the first soda machines under the company name Carl Pochtler AG. The CO2 chargers used for making soda water and the N2O chargers for creating cream, soups, sauces, and foams make up the core product of the company's Culinary division.
The company is still family-run: Christian C. Pochtler is a direct descendant of the Fischer-Pochtler family. He has successfully led the company into the 21st century with an innovative business strategy.
1867 - 1881
How everything started
Carl Pochtler, born in 1840, was officially registered as a turner and manufacturer of syringes and mechanical instruments in 1867. This is when siphon production began.
The "Chirurgische Spritzen-Sodawasser-Apparate und Syphon–Fabrik Carl Pochtler" presented an extensive range. The company received many distinctions at trade shows and world exhibitions.
In 1878, Carl Pochtler submitted his first patent for a stopper valve.
In 1881, the company registered its headquarters at Kaiserstraße 87, in the 7th district of Vienna. The company headquarters remained at this site, located near the centre of Vienna, until 1975.
1887 - 1922
First phase of major changes
Upon Carl Pochtler's death in 1887, his daughter, Rosa Fischer-Pochtler, was registered as the company's owner.
In 1906, Rosa Fischer-Pochtler's husband, Carl Fischer, took on the company management.
In 1916, Carl Fischer-Pochtler's son Alfred became the director. By this time, the company employed more than 80 workers.
1922
Change of the legal form to a stock company called "Sodawassermaschinen-, Siphons- & Metallwarenfabrik Carl Pochtler A.G.“.
1923 - 1930
Foundation of various subsidiaries in Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia.
1940 - 1954
Chaos of war and post-war period
After the dissolution of the stock company in 1940 due to the war, the production of seltzer bottles and CO2 capsules was resumed in 1951. Upon Alfred Fischer-Pochtler's death in 1954, his daughter Marietta Fischer-Pochler took on the shares and company management with her husband Hannes.
In 1959, "Heimsyphon Karl Hinz und Co. Ges.m.b.H." was founded.
1964
Laying of the founding stone of today's iSi Group
"Karl Fischer-Pochtler Ges.m.b.H" purchased all partnership shares of the company "Heimsyphon Karl Hinz und Co. Ges.m.b.H" and renamed it "iSi Metallwarenfabrik Ges.m.b.H" in 1964. The entry in the trade register under the name iSi Metallwarenfabrik GesmbH took place on May 14th, 1964. This represented the founding stone for the brand name and the logo of today's iSi Group.
1966
The first disposable capsules produced by iSi for the preparation of soda water and whipped cream were introduced to the Austrian market in 1964. Export to various European and non-European countries then followed.
In 1975, the production and administration were moved to the newly constructed factory at Kürschnergasse 4, in the 21st district of Vienna. This site was gradually extended over the next decades and is currently still the headquarters for the entire iSi Group.
In 1978, Christian C. Pochtler (5th generation after Carl Pochtler) founded iSi Siphon of America Inc. (now iSi North America Inc.)
In 1984, he took over 100% of the company shares as well as the company management and founded "Fischer-Pochtler Holding Ges.m.b.H.". (now Pochtler Industrieholding AG). He also took over 100% of iSi GmbH.
1990
In 1990, the company Heimsyphon (formerly Heimsyphon Karl Hinz, a BOC subsidiary) was purchased. The iSi Components industrial cylinder business line was developed as the second major branch of the company.
1994: Commissioning of the world's largest high-tech full centre for iSi culinary capsules and installation of a cylinder factory for the Components line at the Kürschnergasse site.
1995
iSi Airbag GmbH was founded in 1995, representing the founding stone of the third business line, iSi Automotive.
In 2000, iSi Airbag GmbH moved to the new Vienna Scheydgasse site, the current headquarters of iSi Automotive Austria GmbH and iSi Automotive Holding GmbH.
2009 - 2012
Taking over of the airbag business by iSi Automotive
During the automobile crisis, iSi Automotive took over Delphi's European airbag business. iSi Automotive Berlin GmbH became the design and development centre of the Automotive Group.
iSi Automotive Hungary Kft. was extended to the textile and then to the module markets.
iSi Automotive (Thailand) Ltd. took over the bag production operations.
iSi reinforces its three business lines – Culinary, Components and Automotive – through innovation, specialisation and internationalisation with its own subsidiaries.
Values
We are constantly measuring ourselves against the very thing which gives our work its meaning.
Values come about through work; they grow out of what we do on a day-to-day basis. Simply setting our own values was not enough to satisfy us. Values must be lived. For iSi, they represent both the foundations and the objective of our daily business. Only those who are aware of this, and who sincerely face up to the challenges that result can fulfill their mission, and make their vision a reality.
Vision
Our vision is a description of our self-conception, our fundamental values. It forms the basis for all of our actions, and is at the same time a benchmark against which we can measure our decisions. It allows us to remain self-critical, so that we never avoid questioning whether we are on the right path.
Sustainability
Maintaining what is worth holding on to; and thinking about what has become outdated. This is sustainability. It always has been, even if others might call it conservation. This way of thinking has given us the opportunity to develop our company in a targeted manner, thus guaranteeing long-term success.
Mission
Out of this self-perception, objectives grow, and ideas come about as to what should happen next. From today spring forth questions about tomorrow. That is the mission. An explanation, a definition of our strategy and the values we want to use to create the future.
Innovate
Innovations cannot be controlled, they must be able to develop by themselves. They cannot be made to appear at the press of a button. However, they can be given space, and the environment for stimulating innovation can be created. Innovation can be found and encouraged. And that is exactly what we do.
Specialise
Knowing in what areas you are good, or excellent, and concentrating on them. Finding niches, occupying them, and doing everything to stay in them. Staying ahead, yet without losing sight of the Other, the Unusual. This is how we have managed to hold our ground so far, and we want it to stay that way.
Internationalise
From strong roots grow branches to the rest of the world. Anyone exporting ninety percent of their output to eighty different countries can certainly call themselves international. Allowing this fact to feed into your own thoughts, however, is more difficult. Nonetheless, in our experience, it’s worth it.