![forster key visual fuego light vortex lausanne](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/page_header_medium/public/2023-07/KV_fuego_light.jpg?h=6bb77567&itok=FmJxLq6C) # Our brand Steel holds a special place in our heart: it combines elegance and strength, a long service life and timeless design like virtually no other material. We know how to take advantage of these benefits in developing appealing solutions that are architecturally sustainable. Our ambition is to make living spaces and buildings safe, attractive and pleasant for the people who live and work in them. [ Forster code of conduct ](https://www.forstersystems.com/sites/forster/files/public/2025-06/Code_of_Conduct_Forster.pdf "Forster code of conduct") ## Our mindset We are convinced: Architecture and design are essential to the well-being of people and their surroundings. ![Unsere Haltung](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2023-05/Rectangle%201521.png?h=88104954&itok=unB3Ed6W) ![Building](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/cta_paragraph_image/public/2023-05/Image2.png?h=5478860a&itok=P2NL_EIX) Creating buildings in harmony with nature means using materials that are respectful of the environment. ![mood image blue overlay](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_max_width/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_builtforlife_schmal.png?itok=HTIAtIbh) ## Our material Why it is worth building on steel Steel is stable and long-lasting: as proven by centuries-old steel structures. As the most environmentally compatible of all metals in manufacture, it has a relatively small ecological footprint. In addition, less material is required thanks to excellent statics. At the end of its life steel can be fully recycled. This makes steel the right choice – for ensuring careful use of our resources. [ More on sustainability ](/sustainability "More on sustainability") ![Welding profiles](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/portrait_small/public/2024-05/OI_welding_2.jpg?h=2f43fa51&itok=Dtzvt80R) ![Mountains](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2023-05/mountains.png?h=2e917df8&itok=CkLauguQ) ![steel material](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/video_testimonial_thumbnail/public/2023-12/OI_home_ourmaterial_small.jpg?h=45fe01fc&itok=8eeKlaHr) ## Swiss Made An original Swiss product Developed and manufactured in Switzerland, required all over the world. We produce safe and energy-efficient solutions from steel and stainless steel for doors, windows and facades made in Switzerland. We work with branches of our company in over 20 countries – and with exclusive sales partners in a further ten countries. This means that customers have our own consultants by their side for their projects: from Europe, the Middle East and Asia to North America. ## International presence Every year 3000 kilometres of Forster steel profiles are manufactured, checked for quality and sent out from our HQ to numerous countries. Headquarters in Romanshorn, Switzerland Distribution partners Subsidiaries & sales hubs ![Weltkarte](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/key_figures/public/2025-08/Weltkarte_Forster_25-08.png?itok=YLYnaI6G) 1 Headquarters 9 Distribution partners 2 Production Sites 11 Warehouses 4 Training Centres 2 Showrooms ## The history of Forster - ![Founder](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-05/founder.jpg?h=32844e10&itok=kLcOScrG) 1874 Founding of a coppersmithy by Franz-Josef Forster in Arbon. - ![1915 Breitehof](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1915_Breitehof_0.jpg?h=93808542&itok=fWW74pmV) 1915 Diversification into steel production: welded steel pipes. - ![1915 Hermann Forster Arbon](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1915_hermann_forster_arbon.png?h=93808542&itok=jCNNbvuB) 1922 Transfer of the separate company to the newly founded Hermann Forster AG. - ![1933 Forster Gebaeude](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1930_Forster_Gebaeude_1933.jpg?h=93808542&itok=b1bxrbUn) 1930 Start of production of steel profile tubes. - ![1950 Forster Rohrschweissanlage](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1950_ca_Forster_Rohrschweissanlage.jpg?h=93808542&itok=jhKc841g) 1948 Commissioning of an installation for the electrical resistance welding of steel pipes. - ![Forster 1975 therm](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1975_therm_B.jpg?h=a3c5412b&itok=DNLByFQi) 1975 Market launch of Forster Therm, the first thermally-insulated window system with steel profiles. - ![1978 forster presto](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1978_presto.png?h=93808542&itok=nvOy7wSv) 1978 Forster Presto passes the first successful test for smoke protection doors. - ![1979 Forster Aufrichtfeier](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1979_Aufrichtfeier.jpg?h=93808542&itok=nYkMtZKW) 1979 Construction of the new 12’600 square meter tube factory in Arbon. - ![1981 forster thermfix](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1981_thermfix.png?h=93808542&itok=8KVwqa7g) 1981 Forster Thermfix, a newly developed system for curtain walls, is launched. - ![1984 forster fuego](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1984_fuego.jpg?h=93808542&itok=cspOqTH8) 1984 Forster Fuego, a new-generation system for fire resistant doors and screens, is launched. - ![1987 AFG Holding](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1987_AFG_Holding.png?h=93808542&itok=srjuxFMT) 1987 Foundation of AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding AG. - ![Forster 1993 presto Edelstahl](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1993_Forster_presto_Edelstahl.jpg?h=f220bf49&itok=sfijkKEY) 1993 Certain profiles of the Forster Presto system are produced in stainless steel for the first time, beginning the widest stainless-steel range of all Forster systems. - ![1994 forster therm clima thermfix vario](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_1994_clima_TFV.png?h=93808542&itok=bVpmdvSI) 1994 Launch of the new forster thermfix vario curtain wall system for dry glazing. It replaces the forster therm system which was designed for wet glazing only. - ![forster fuego light](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2000_fuego_light.png?h=a7e6d17b&itok=W0z9ZixZ) 2000 First tests and approvals for fire-resistant curtain walling using the forster thermfix vario system. Market introduction of the forster fuego light fire protection system. It successively replaces its predecessor forster fuego. - ![Hermann Forster AG](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2003_Reorganisation_Hermann_Forster_AG_.png?h=93808542&itok=SnlHV0Ey) 2003 Reorganisation of Herman Forster AG into Forster Rohr-Profiltechnik AG, Forster Küchen-Kühltechnik AG and Forster Management AG. - ![2004 Forster Russland Osteuropa](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2004_Russland_Osteuropa.jpg?h=93808542&itok=fZDLl0MT) 2004 Expansion by entering further Eastern European markets. - ![2006 forster thermfix light](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2006_thermfix_light.png?h=93808542&itok=BggDDNRN) 2006 Launch of the forster thermfix light system for facades with pressure plate. - ![2008 forster unico](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2008_unico.jpg?h=93808542&itok=zpSgKNbF) 2007 Launch of forster unico. The unique and environmentally friendly profile construction consists of 100% of steel, without the need for widely-used plastic insulators. - ![2008 Forster ISO Zertifikat 14001](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2008_Zertifikat_14001_DE_04-08.jpg?h=93808542&itok=FSWBGI-P) 2008 Forster Rohr-Profiltechnik AG obtains ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system. - ![2012 Forster Werk Qingpu](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2012_Werk_Forster_Qingpu.jpg?h=93808542&itok=c06eWQO_) 2012 The company continues to drive its expansion into the Chinese market by establishing a dedicated training centre. - ![2013 Foster Mubea](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2013_Forster_Mubea.png?h=93808542&itok=TYm1Byat) 2013 Sale of the Forster Precision Steel Tubes business unit to automotive party supplier Mubea. Change of company name from Forster Rohr-Profiltechnik AG to Forster Profilsysteme AG. Expansion of direct sales with the founding of Forster Profilsysteme GmbH, based in Wiener Neudorf, Austria. Direct sales is also launched in the Middle East with a dedicated office in Dubai. - ![2014 Forster Rottweil](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2014_Rottweil.jpg?h=93808542&itok=0jNNLeuf) 2014 Foundation of Forster Profilsysteme GmbH, based in Rottweil, Germany. Beginning of direct sales. - ![2018 Forster Reynaers](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2018_reynaers.png?h=93808542&itok=11LkITVx) 2018 Belgian Reynaers Group acquires Forster Profilsysteme AG. - ![Forster Campus Romanshorn](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_history_2022_Forster_Campus.png?h=854a7be2&itok=Sh2WQqdw) 2022 Start of construction of the new Forster Campus in Romanshorn. Acquisition of 100% of the partner companies in Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal and start of direct sales. Full market launch of forster omnia, the highly insulated profile system for doors including fire protection and windows made of 100% steel. - ![Forster Campus Romanshorn](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/history_slide/public/2024-11/24_04_A5_Forster-Campus_04.jpg?h=574e572a&itok=gOYupkCr) 2024 Moving into the new Campus and 150-year anniversary. ## To us, building with steel means building for life: to meet the many different needs of people today and of future generations, with respect for the environment and our natural resources. *Our values* ## People who work with steel are inspired by their daily contact with the processing and design material steel, by their commitment to this metal. It requires of us passion, courage, responsibility and team spirit. ![Value Forster Daring Mood](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_values-slider_01-daring.jpg?h=436b82d4&itok=pHdoUtSV) ![Value Forster Caring Mood](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_values-slider_02-caring.jpg?h=436b82d4&itok=a0EGxYdQ) ![Value Forster Passionate Mood](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_values-slider_03-passionate.jpg?h=436b82d4&itok=AuKk5FpD) ![Value Forster United Mood](/sites/forster/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2023-06/OI_aboutus_values-slider_04-united.jpg?h=436b82d4&itok=co10DdYe) ### Daring We challenge the status quo and don’t sit still. We are creative and innovative, growing every day by listening and being open to feedback. We think proactively and continuously improve. ### Caring We care for our colleagues, partners, suppliers, society, and planet. We build on our mutual understanding, with every cooperation based on respect. Plus, we also feel responsible for future generations. ### Passionate We are full of energy. We put our ideas into practice with enthusiasm and optimism. We set ourselves ambitious goals, because we know that our work counts and we inspire others. ### Together We are convinced that we are most successful by working together. We build strong relationships and work as a team. Together, we achieve our goals.