Our heritage
From 1951 onward, Argor-Heraeus has been shaping the future of the precious metals industry from the heart of Switzerland.
1951, a company of “Gold” and “Silver” takes root in Ticino, Switzerland
Drawing inspiration from the Italian words "argento" (silver) and "oro" (gold), Emilio Weiss and Elvio Zoppi founded ARGOR SA, the very first precious metals foundry in Ticino. Nestled in Switzerland's southernmost canton, bordering Italy, the company soon embarked on a journey in precious metals refining, setting the stage for a legacy of excellence.
1960s, excellence in craftsmanship, the beginning of global leadership
In the 1960s, advancements in assaying, acceptance, smelting, and mechanics enabled the company to master four nine (999.9 ‰) gold fineness —an exceptional achievement at the time when most gold in use was only 999.5‰ or lower, demonstrating technological leadership and refining excellence. The company also proudly became the first refinery in Switzerland to mint coins and medals.
Argor was listed as a member of the London Gold Market as early as 1961. This organization later merged with the London Silver Market to become the now London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), which appoints Argor-Heraeus as one of its five reference manufacturers later in 2003.
1970s, “precious metals district” takes shape, ready to expand
In Ticino, the "precious metals district" took shape, inspired by Argor's success. Switzerland's leadership in high-end watchmaking and the strong demand for gold and semi-finished products from Italy's jewelry industry spurred many entrepreneurs to start their own smelting and processing activities.
While Zurich became the main trading center for gold, handling about 70% of the world's total production, UBS acquired 100% ownership of Argor, benefiting from an "in-house" refinery. The small facility in Chiasso soon proved too small to meet the surging demands, leading to the decision to establish a larger production site.
1980s, a huge leap forward for Argor-Heraeus at its new site in Mendrisio
In 1986, the Heraeus Group joined up with UBS, renaming the company into ARGOR-HERAEUS SA. This partnership marked a turning point, introducing advanced technical knowledge to the company, including continuous casting, wet chemistry, and laboratory analytical methods. The first decision by the new Board of Directors was to approve the design of a new facility in Mendrisio, Argor-Heraeus' current location.
Two years later, the brand-new headquarters opened its doors, introducing a host of innovations. These included the installation of induction furnaces with zero noise pollution, a silver processing line, one of Switzerland's first vertical chemical product tanks, and state-of-the-art physical and environmental safety equipment.
1990s, era of innovation, the birth of a collector's favourite
With significant quantitative and qualitative boosts, new ideas are transforming into innovative products. For example, the beloved Kinebar® was brought to life in 1993. Argor-Heraeus is the only refiner worldwide to apply a KINEGRAM® as both a decorative and security feature on the reverse sides of selected minted bars. This same technology is used on banknotes and passports.
2000s, processing gold for the world, establishing global footprint
In the early 2000s, as Asian demand for gold surged, Swiss-minted bars maintained their status as the go-to choice for financial gold. Ticino, home to four of Switzerland's six major refineries, including Argor-Heraeus, processed most of the world's gold.
The company's decision to expand abroad led to the establishment of two subsidiaries: one in Germany (2004) and another in Italy (2006). Meanwhile, the Hong Kong site—originally founded in 1971—significantly expanded its capabilities with the construction of a new refining facility in 1994.
Furthermore, Argor-Aljba SA, a joint venture based in Mendrisio, was established in 2004 to specialize in high-tech coatings. This technology now complements Argor-Heraeus' luxury and jewellery offerings.
2010s, driving more progress in responsibility, full ownership by Heraeus Group
The Mendrisio site saw another wave of growth with the addition of a new facility, driven by the success in producing semi-finished products. This new building was crafted to reflect the company's established excellence in the luxury sector.
By then, Argor-Heraeus had firmly embedded responsibility in its critical decision-making processes and became renowned for this commitment to responsible practices. Rigorous due diligence procedures were implemented towards both new and existing clients. The company aimed to not just meet but exceed expectations, forging strong and contributing to regulatory standards.
In 2017, Argor-Heraeus became 100% part of the Heraeus Group and was integrated into Heraeus Precious Metals. With this move, the Hong Kong office was added to the company’s global footprint, strengthening its presence in Asia.
2020 – today, shaping the future of the precious metals industry
In 2022, through the acquisition of Erbas SA, Argor-Heraeus completed another loop, adding another link to its value chain in the watchmaking and jewellery industry, becoming the only manufacturer capable of providing comprehensive one-stop solution services to the sector.
Meanwhile, Argor-Heraeus continues to advance its efforts to be the most responsible precious metals refining and manufacturing company in the world. In a notable shift for the traditionally discreet Swiss refinery sector, Argor-Heraeus also champions transparency, engaging regularly with media and NGOs to foster open dialogue and build trust across the value chain. Each year, a sustainability factbook is published, detailing the company’s actions and initiatives with clear targets.
The company actively engages with the entire value chain, local communities, industry partners, associations, and regulatory bodies, leveraging its unique position and powered by innovations to go beyond and help shape the future of the precious metals industry.
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