The chronology of PAVATEX

2010	PAVATEX increased the sales of its wood fibre insulating boards by 15% compared to the previous year. This increase was also possible, in particular, due to the seamless production processes at both plants. In Fribourg approx. 29,000 tons of soft fibre board were produced and in Cham it was a record quantity of 39,500 tons. In conjunction with Ernst Basler + Partner, the numerous advantages of PAVATEX insulating materials made of wood fibres compared to other insulating materials were proven in a study "Building and living with nature". The study was based, among other things, on the independent analysis of a recognised specialist in the areas of the environment and environmental protection. It illustrates how PAVATEX wood fibre boards are appealing throughout their entire service life – from the environmental, social and financial perspective. Private and institutional contractors thereby get a more in-depth guide on how they can plan an important role on increasing sustainability during construction. PAVATEX is also the first Swiss company to be the holder of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) of the Construction and Environmental Institute (IBU). (More information on this is available at www.pavatex.com/umwelt) With its press interview at the 16th International Wood-Building Forum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, PAVATEX concluded its redevelopment campaign "Redevelopment today for the world of tomorrow". Three winning sites in Austria, Germany and Switzerland were declared by an international jury of specialists in wood construction. (More information on this is available at www.pavatex.com/sanieren) PAVATEX took fourth place for the "Cash Employer Award" ("Cash Arbeitgeber Award") PAVATEX rejuvenated its brand presence and effective December 1, 2010, presented a new, optimised company logo which maintains its proven elements. In 2010, PAVATEX was present at the following trade shows with its own booths: Swissbau in Basle (CH), Dach & Holz in Cologne (D), Maison Bois in Angers (F), Energy Savings Trade Show (Energiesparmesse) in Wels (A) and the Home Construction and Energy Trade Show (Hausbau- und Energiemesse) in Berne (CH).
2009	PAVATEX can increase their sales on all markets and for the first time they are able to exceed the CHF 100 million barrier with an annual turnover of CHF 106.9 million. Also in 2009, Pavatex was untroubled by the global economic crisis: turnover could be increased in almost every branch and also the position as a market leader in the area of insulation systems based on wood fibre could be further strengthened. Both plants in Fribourg and Cham work to capacity and reach record-breaking production figures. Fribourg produced 28,000 tonnes and Cham even 32,000 tonnes of softboards. An even higher output was prevented by unplanned events: two fires in Cham (one on Good Friday and the other on the day before the inspection shutdown in summer) and a tank accident in Fribourg resulting in a whole week of unplanned shutdown. The maintenance workers in Cham and Fribourg, however, did an outstanding job in both cases as to commitment and performance and thus the shutdown periods could be reduced to an absolute minimum. On 18 May, PAVATEX will put a new generation of flexible insulants on the market. Within the framework of a strategic partnership they were developed jointly with KRONOPLY and further optimised for PAVATEX insulation systems. Environmental and climate protection is a matter of great concern at PAVATEX. PAVATEX is the first manufacturer of insulants based on wood fibre to be awarded with the Austrian eco label. The magazine Öko-Test rated PAVATHERM as "Very good". In order to reduce fine dust and CO2 emissions, both plants put into operation stations for liquid gas and renewed their forklift fleets. Since 7 December 2009 PAVATEX has been a founding member of swisscleantech. As a membership organisation, swisscleantech gets involved with a leading position of the Swiss and Liechtenstein cleantech sector and a contemporaneous international recognition of Switzerland and Liechtenstein as countries which support sustainability. PAVATEX insulating panels made from wood fibres now also feature the new label of origin "Schweizer Holz“ (Swiss timber). The British heir to the throne, Prince Charles, on a visit to a PAVATEX site in Watford (UK), where the Prince’s Foundation is building an eco-house on the premises of the Building Research Establishments (BRE). Together with our British partner Natural Building Technology (NBT) we at PAVATEX support this pioneering project. At a press briefing at the 15th Internationales Holzbauforum (international forum for actors from the wooden structure branch) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (D) PAVATEX launches their renovation campaign "Today we renovate tomorrow's world“. In 2009, PAVATEX participated among other things in the following trade fairs with their own exhibition stands: BAU in Munich (D), Bluebat in Lyon (F), Energiesparmesse in Wels (A) and Hausbau- und Energiemesse in Bern (CH).
2008	Beyond the bounds of all statutory requirements, PAVATEX is actively committed in addition to the conservation of climate and the ecological environment. Ecological environmental management at PAVATEX was certified this year under the ISO 14001 Standard. This is to evidence and confirm compliance by the Group with the valid current worldwide criteria for the ongoing self-conscious awareness of ecological environmental management. A milestone in the ecological environmental commitment of the PAVATEX Group is the new biomass pressure vessel at Cham, Switzerland, which is able improve climatic balance by around 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The biomass pressure vessel is able to sup-ply the municipality of Cham and district with thermal energy. Within the scope of its ecological environmental commitment, PAVATEX in Switzerland and Austria has become a member of the WWF CLIMATE GROUP and is advocating climate con-servation and protection on a substantial basis with a variety of comprehensive measures and countermeasures. Marketing measures in France are being massively enhanced during 2008 – the sales team of the Company, PAVATEX France SARL, which was incorporated in 2005, now comprises five staff members. PAVATEX is committed to the 'healthy dwelling' concept and promotes healthy dwelling building construction concepts as a partner of the institute Sentinel-Haus. During 2008, Pavatex and others in the industry were represented with their own stands at the following trade fairs: Dach&Holz in Stuttgart (Roof and Timber Trade Fair) in Stuttgart (GER), ECOBAT in Paris (F), the 'Holzbaumesse' (Timber Building Construction Trade Fair) in Klagenfurt (AUT) and the 'Hausbau- und Energiemesse' (house building and energie Trade Fair) in Bern (CH).
2007	The Zurich Wenger family-owned Chemolio Holding AG and Martin Brettenthaler are the full owners of the PAVATEX SA. In the course of succession planning between the two HIAG shareholder families Grisard and Wenger, the Chemolio Holding AG will take over the PAVATEX SA shares that have been held by the HIAG group until now. Parallel to this transaction, PAVATEX SA CEO Martin Brettenthaler increases his share in the PAVATEX SA after having already acquired a minority interest in 2004. The new owners of PAVATEX SA are therefore the Chemolio Holding AG with a 55 % interest, Martin Brettenthaler with a 40 % interest and the management with a 5 % interest. In the summer of 2007, the existing dryer will be extended within the scope of the investment program “PAVAFLEX II” thus increasing the capacity by 30 %. PAVATEX has successfully participated in international trade shows and exhibitions: the „Bau“ in Munich, the „Ligna“ in Hannover and the „Swissbau“ in Basel.
2006	PAVATEX launches new products during the first German “Ausbaumesse” in Nuremberg: PAVACLAY a plaster board made of wood fiber and clay as well as PAVEDENTRO a wood fiber insulating board with a functional mineral layer for room-side insulation. In 2006, PAVATEX recorded growth across all markets and achieved CHF 91.8 million in sales. Total sales thus exceeded the previous year by more than 20 %. This figure even reached 35 % in Germany.
2005	A new integrated and automated production process for completion of the products was introduced in the Cham plant at the beginning of the year. The next important step for a capacity increase in the Cham plant will take place on May 23. The new forming machine (a technology transfer from the cellulose industry) will commence work according to schedule.
2005	In France, PAVATEX France SARL is founded as the distribution company for the French market.
2004	Commencement of the gradual upgrading of the soft fiber capacities in Cham until 2006 through automation of the production completion process, installation of a new forming machine and extension of the dryer. The Cham plant ceases the production of hard masonite. Corresponding products can be purchased from a partner company based upon a long-standing outsourcing agreement. There has been a change with regard to the shareholders: Martin Brettenthaler purchases a substantial minority interest in the PAVATEX SA. HIAG Holding AG continues to remain the controlling shareholder.
2002	Beginning of the opening of new geographic markets (France, etc.)
2001	The operative business of the PAVATEX SA in Cham is taken over by the PAVATEX Fribourg SA. They change their company name to PAVATEX SA. Fribourg is the registered seat and headquarters of the company. The Cham plant takes up soft fiber production. Only certain specialized products are manufactured with hard masonite.
2000	In Cham, a dryer for the production of soft fiber is built, and gradually, the production of hard masonite is ceased. All standard hard fiber boards are purchased from neighboring countries within the context of a long-term outsourcing agreement. PAVATEX Benelux BV is founded (sales organization for the Benelux countries).
1999	The Fribourg company changes its name: PAVAFIBRES SA turns into PAVATEX Fribourg SA.
1996	The German sales location for the HIAG-Holzwerkstoffe moves from Stuttgart to PAVATEX GmbH in Leutkirch, Germany.
1992	The PAVATEX GmbH Leutkirch/Germany is founded with the objective of hitting the German market specifically for the ecological insulation boards by PAVATEX and PAVAFIBRES.
1991	The second Cham plant is shut down.
1980s	Start of the product development in the area of soft fiber products for the building shell starts with the introduction of the waterproof under-roof layer ISOROOF.
1977	In the course of focusing on the core business paper, the Cham paper factory sells the remaining 50 % interest in the PAVATEX SA and the PAVAFIBRES SA to the HIAG Holding AG.
1969	The HIAG group shuts down their fiber board production in St. Margrethen and purchases 50 % each of the shares of the PAVATEX SA and the PAVAFIBRES SA.
1968	The Fribourg plant takes up the production of mineral fiber boards.
1964	Operations in the third production plant in Cham are initiated. Following many remodeling initiatives, this plant is still in operation in the new millennium.
1949	Operations in the soft fiber board plant in Fribourg begin.
1946	The second plant in Cham commences production. PAVAFIBRES SA is founded in Fribourg.
1936	PAVATEX SA is founded in Cham.
1932	The paper factory Cham starts with the production of hard fiber boards at the Cham location. The boards are introduced to the market under the brand name PAVATEX. The “Pava” part of the name stands for the German word for paper packaging.