A success story spanning more than half a century
1946
Company founded by Alois and Rosa Kaufmann for rail wiring, grounding and high-tension installation services.
The original logo with catenary mast and flashover spark, symbolizing the wide offering in this area.
1953 - 1958
The first two structural steelwork plants opened for catenary masts and yokes among other products.
1960
This red Austin oldtimer held all the traction motors and generators required for welding electrical rail connections.
1970
Conversion into a joint stock company to include the sons Alois, René and Lorenz Kaufmann.
The new logo "AK" against a signal-orange background stands for uncompromising quality in railway technology and structural steelwork.
1973
Participation in the large-scale Heitersberg tunnel project: high-speed catenary installation and electrical engineering.
1974 - 1980
Prototype development in 1974 of the first electrical rail contact clamps. In the following years this concept was systematically improved to market maturity. Since 1980 Kaufmann contact clamps under the proprietary brand "KAGO" are approved equipment of the Swiss Federal Railways, with an extremely good track record.
1979 - 1984
Participation in large-scale reconstruction project for the Hauenstein basis tunnel: installation of radio communications antenna cabling and niche fittings, heavy-duty mountings, rail return and grounding leads.
1983 - 1988
Global market conquest of the KAGO contact clamp begins: following the various Swiss railway companies, its cost-reduction potential is discovered in Germany, Italy, Austria, Ireland and Taiwan.
- Alois Kaufmann senior at clamp production in 1984.
1989
Participation in large-scale Zurich suburban railway project: development of a modular mounting system for station signboards, installation of tunnel radio communications antenna cabling, rail return and grounding leads, high-voltage roof insulation in Zurich Museum underground station, heavy-duty mountings and safety barriers.
1990 - 1995
The KAGO contact clamp conquers the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Israel.
1991 - 1996
Installation of tunnel radio communications antenna cabling throughout the Basel ? Göschenen piggy-back corridor.
1993
Catenary renewal on the Mittelthurgau-Bahn from Weinfelden to Berg.
- Pre-assembled catenary masts on the way to their destination.
1995
Overall grounding concept for Basel SBB locomotive depot: door earthing, feed cables, switchgear mountings, etc.
- Participation in large-scale Grauholz tunnel construction project: Installation of all rail return and grounding leads.
1997
Rail return and grounding work, tunnel illumination, high-tension cables and catenary on the Neuchtâtel-Yverdon and on the Neuchâtel-La Chaux-de-Fonds line.
Rhätische Bahn catenary renovation in the Engadine and on the Albula line.
- Market launch of the new KATRA tunnel radio communications antenna cable mounting system.
1998
The new corporate logo features the Metal and Electrical divisions separately, since they both became legally independent in 1998.
1999
Heavy-duty mountings with bridge grouting on the Mittelthurgau-Bahn line between Weinfelden and Kreuzlingen.
- Participation in large-scale Vereina tunnel project: installation of tunnel radio communications cabling, and all rail return and grounding work.
2000
First exports of KAGO contact clamps to Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia.
2001
Market launch of the new KAGO contact strips and discs for electrical connections in complex pointwork.
2002
Participation in large-scale "Zimmerberg" tunnel project (second double track Zürich-Thalwil): All rail return and grounding work, mounting of tunnel radio communications cables.
2003
Participation in emergency renovation of "Axen Seeseite" tunnels:
All rail return and grounding work, installation of all tunnel radio communications cables and railings.
Market launch of the new KATRA plus tunnel radio communications cable installation system.
2004
Scheduled work at the new line Mattstetten — Rothrist (signalling, mast anchoring, cable laying etc.).
- Construction and mounting of special inclination boards in tunnels.
- Construction and mounting of shoulder coverings in the area of the fast speed switch.
2005
Market launch of the new rail attachement box (heavy version).
Mounting of the first columned cable duct in Switzerland.
- Two rail attachement boxes (heavy version, type deep) on the Glatttal railway project in the northern Zurich area.
- Columned cable duct on the line Murten-Sugiez (Right hand side, in parallel to the track).
2006
In the mean-time KAGO clamps have been introduced in a lot of additional countries: Denmark, England, Canada, Croatia, Luxemburg, Slovenia and the US.
