Société Anonyme des Ateliers de Sécheron

In 1879, Alfred de Meuron set up a small workshop in Geneva to manufacture electrical appliances. This workshop ultimately formed the basis for the establishment of SAAS on 9 July 1918.[2]

The following year, 1919, Brown Boveri & Cie (BBC) became SAAS's main shareholder. Five years later, SAAS resumed its independence.[1] The company remained independent until 1969, when competitive pressures forced it to seek new partners.[1] In 1970, BBC took over as sole shareholder.[2] However, the company's name was changed only in 1982, when it became BBC Sécheron SA.[1]

In 1988, BBC finally merged with the Swedish company ASEA to form ASEA Brown Boveri (now ABB Group).[1] The new company chose to split SAAS into four companies,[1] and separate itself from the traction-related manufacturing sector. The decision led to the creation in 1989 of a new independent company, Sécheron SA, which re-entered that sector.[2] Meanwhile, ABB Sécheron SA continued the manufacturing of transformers.

In 1992, ABB Sécheron moved out of its previous factory, and let Sécheron SA occupy the original site alone.

The SBB-CFF-FFS Re 4/4 II (left) and Re 6/6 (right) were SAAS products.

The company manufactured the following products:

• Electrodes for arc welding;
• Mercury-arc valves;
• Electrical equipment for hydroelectric power stations;
• Electric locomotives, in collaboration with other companies (BBC, SLM or SIG): e.g., Re 4/4 I, Re 4/4 II and III, Re 6/6;
• Electric railcars and multiple units, also in collaboration with other companies;
• Speed controllers for trains, rapid transit networks, trams and trolleybuses.

• Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway
• Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn
• Furka Oberalp Bahn
• Rhaetian Railway
• SBB-CFF-FFS

• ABB Sécheron SA – official webpage
• Sécheron SA – official website

This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at December 2011.