Our history
More than 50 years as filtration experts
For over 50 years, the team at SF-Filter has been dedicated to meeting the filtration needs of our customers. The SF-Filter story begins in 1968, when Heini Schupp founded a retail business for automotive accessories in Kloten, Switzerland. In the decades that followed, the company expanded its offerings and built a presence in Europe by establishing subsidiaries inFrance, Germany, Austria and Poland.
In 2009, the company moved to a modern building in Bachenbülach and changed its name from Schupp AG to SF-Filter AG.
In 2016, the company Ambienta sgr S.p.A joined as majority shareholder, followed by Equistone in 2022.
SF-Filter is today a major supplier of filters for various applications and markets, including process filtration and oil analysis and maintenance.
SF-Filter present in all areas and machines.
SF-Filter products are not always obvious, but they can be found in hundreds of applications and machines.
We have filters for construction machinery, agricultural machinery, small engines, forklifts, trucks and buses, suction excavators, passenger cars and much more. Link
SF-Filter is also able to meet the needs of industrial machinery with industrial filters in a wide range of sizes and applications. Link
Our customers come from all sectors and they are the ones who make us grow and have made us number 1 in Europe and one of the first distributors worldwide. Filter products are used in many industries - from aviation and marine to electronics, maintenance and repair. Likewise, we offer filters for light industry, the waste management and recycling industry, as well as the packaging industry.
The Legendary Beginning
1968: Heini Schupp founded a sole proprietorship and began trading in car accessories in CH-8302 Kloten.
The Transformation that changed everything
1973: The company was converted into a stock corporation.
Our New Home in Bachenbühlach
1975: The company SF-Filter AG moves its headquarters to a new building in Bachenbülach.
Leadership That Tansformed the Future
1992: Arthur Fritschi and Dirk van der Stroom take over the management and in the course of the next years also the majority of shares. Through the leadership of the new business owners, the sales program was also steadily expanded.
Crossing Borders with SF-Filter in France
1996: With the founding of SF-Filtres SA in France, SF has a foreign company for the first time.
Growing Strong in Germany
1997: Foundation of the subsidiary SF-Filter GmbH in VS-Schwenningen, Baden-Württemberg.
Welcome Austria
2002: With the installation of the Austrian company SF-Filterdienst GmbH, SF is now also present in Austria.
Further growth in Europe: Foundation of SF-Poland
2007: Entry into the Eastern European markets with the foundation of the Polish subsidiary SF-Filter Sp. z o. o.
Moving and Changing Names
2009: Relocation of the parent company within Bachenbülach to a modern new building. At the same time the change of the company name from Schupp AG to SF-Filter AG.
A Powerful Alliance
2016: Ambienta sgr S.p.A. joins the SF-Filter Group as majority shareholder.
Expanding Horizons
2019: In 2019, SF-Filter AG also acquired the company COFAC AG and can then also establish itself as an expert in the field of oil analysis and maintenance. Furthermore, the market segment of process filtration was expanded.
Global Growth and E-Commerce
2022: In September 2022, Equistone acquires the majority of shares in SF-Filter AG. Together with the new majority shareholder Equistone, the focus will be on strengthening the company's existing growth trajectory, accelerating international expansion and further developing the company's e-commerce platform.
New acquisition: BUSSE & Kuntze Filter
2023: Takeover of the company BUSSE & Kuntze Filter.
Integration of Hermantz Breems
2024: Since January 1st, Hermantz Breems has been part of the SF-Filter Group.
Expansion in Italy: Filter Center SLR
10.2024: Acquisition of Filter Center SLR in Italy.