Company History

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  • from 2020

    We want to thank every aviation professional across the globe for standing resiliently through one of the worst economic challenges the industry has faced.

    Despite the unforeseen challenges that have befallen aviation, THOMMENs’ staff and leadership team have been working resolutely to ensure our product quality and level of service to our valued customers remained at the same level that has propelled us through more than a hundred years of continued success.

    Our focus remains on being a trusted partner to our customers by offering tailored solutions for digital cockpit upgrades for commercial, busines and military aviation segments to enhance life cycle value across our carefully engineered portfolio.

  • 2019

    THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT Ltd. has undergone a transformation of sorts, moving away from legacy electromechanical systems into a new world of liquid crystal displays and digital devices.

    THOMMEN invests heavily in a new line of digital avionics and displays while increasing research and development.

  • 2018

    THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG built a new, state-of-the-art ISO class 5 clean room and display manufacturing line.

    Expanding the company's capabilities, the new line allows THOMMEN to cut liquid crystal displays into virtually any size for use in aircraft cockpits and mission systems as well as for sensitive equipment that requires strict temperature and humidity control.

    THOMMEN can now offer in-house lamination and assembly services in a fully controlled and clean environment with aerospace-grade standards.

    THOMMEN Display Services
  • 2017

    THOMMEN reveals substantial investments in a new line of digital avionics and display solutions.

    THOMMEN strengthens its successful portfolio with new and innovative customizable solutions, while building effective R&D capabilities and linking R&D strategy to THOMMEN’s overall business strategy.

    Multifunction Display
  • 2016

    THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT Ltd. relocated from Waldenburg to Muttenz, Switzerland, near Dreiländereck, the tripoint where the borders of Switzerland, France and Germany meet.

    In its 2000-square-meter facility, all departments are housed on one floor, ensuring materials and information flow smoothly.

  • 2015 - 2016

    Effective as of 18th of May 2015 REVUE THOMMEN AG resolved to changed the company name to THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT Ltd.

    In 2016, the company sold its mechanical standby instruments and mechanical/quartz chronographs to SATORI, a French company located at the Le Bourget Airport in Paris, to focus on digital solutions.

    The formal acquisition of the mechanical instruments division of THOMMEN was in June, 2016 between THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT Ltd. and SATHOM (a SATORI-MRO subsidiary) where SATHOM took over the production and support of the full range of THOMMEN mechanical aircraft instruments and chronographs.

  • 2014

    Avionics and Aircraft Mission Equipment is installed in more than 100 aircraft types worldwide. THOMMEN experiences a new journey of success and growth.

  • 2013

    An U.S. Sales Office with dedicated Business Development is opened.

    THOMMEN USA Map
  • 2010

    REVUE THOMMEN AG decides to concentrate the activities on their core products: Aircraft Equipment and Avionics.

    As a consequence the industrial measuring equipment line is shut down December 2010.

  • 2009

    THOMMEN is certified according to AS/EN 9100.

  • 2007

    The company achieves new record results in sales and profitability in the Eastern-Europe and Russian Market with selective avionic products.

  • 2005

    THOMMEN is recertified according to EASA Part 145, EASA Part 21 G&O and ADOA (Maintenance, Production, Design and Development Operations).

  • 2000

    The licence is granted to the Swiss company Grovana Ltd. for the manufacturing and marketing of the REVUE THOMMEN wrist watch brand products.

  • 1998

    THOMMEN is certified for JAR-145 (Maintenance Operations).

  • 1992

    THOMMEN acquires the authorized member status for being able to provide Swiss Calibration Service (SCS) and is granted the ISO 9001 standard.

  • 1945

    THOMMEN launches the pocket altimeter, specially designed for alpinists. A milestone for the "Sports & Leisure" sector. THOMMEN’s hiking, skiing and parachuting altimeters are well renowned worldwide.

  • 1936 - 1943

    1936 the company is awarded its first development and production program for the Swiss Air Force with its Cockpit Instrumentation. In the years to come REVUE THOMMEN develops and supplies altimeters, airspeed indicators, vertical speed indicators, clocks and the landing gear for the C-35 – a multi-purpose aircraft.

    High precision manufacturing of instruments for the aviation industry and constant development of instruments for industrial applications lay the foundation stone for today’s instruments and manufacturing capabilities.

  • 1916

    The first Aircraft Chronograph for the Swiss Air Force is customized and manufactured after World War I. This initial involvement in aviation defines the company’s future.

  • 1905

    1905 is the year of the commercial registration of REVUE THOMMEN and conversion to a joint stock company - REVUE THOMMEN AG.

  • 1890

    Production reaches over 13,000 watches annually. Gédéon Thommen dies unexpectedly as a result of an insidious illness. His son Alphonse takes over the company.

  • 1859

    Gédéon Thommen and Louis Tschopp acquire REVUE THOMMEN. Besides of being Gédéon Thommen the founder of REVUE THOMMEN AG, he is also the founder and promoter of the “Waldenburgerbahn”, a renowned steam locomotive in the valley of Waldenburg.

  • 1853

    REVUE THOMMEN was founded as a Swiss watch manufacturing company by the community of Waldenburg, Switzerland, and begins to manufacture and sell one of the first Swiss wrist watches upon the simple principle of uncompromised precision, quality, accuracy, exactness, excellence and reliability.

    The obvious pride in its origin is well conceived. REVUE THOMMEN confirms that four previous US Presidents - Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyon B. Johnson -, and many top aviation industry executives were wearing THOMMEN timepieces.

Today

Our strategy is based on the dual approach:
THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG is one of the last global sources for high quality mechanical flight instruments. We carefully conserve the traditional skills of Swiss watchmaker know-how in order to keep aircraft flying, which are designed for classic instruments. Manufacturers and operators of aircrafts can rely on our commitment to the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in the market.
THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG holds a great capacity in state of the art inhouse System Engineering for Civil and Military Avionics and Aircraft Equipment. In Cooperation with Swiss Engineering Firms and the Strategic Partnership with Transas Aviation, we offer Engineering Exellence and State of the Art Development and Testings Capacities for Hardware and Software to the latest EASA / FAA and Military Standards.
All our products are backed with service and support that is leading the industry in cooperation with 3 THOMMEN Authorized Service Stations in London, Dallas and Singapore.

Future

THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG will expand their offerings in the Strategic Partnership with Transas Aviation.
THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG will be focussed on future product opportunities in cooperation with their loyal global customers.
THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG products and solutions always match the highest precision and quality in the relevant markets.
THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG develop and manufacture products that are not offered in the market until now and target niches as well as applications that are left or underserved.

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