Bucher Leichtbau AG, the core company of the Group, was founded in Fällanden, near Zürich, Switzerland, exactly 50 years ago. The founder, Heinrich Bucher, started out as an aircraft sheet metal specialist working for Swissair. He founded the company in 1953, and then worked almost exclusively as a contractor for Swissair for many years. He invented the unique all-aluminium Bucher galley technology in the 1970s, as a reaction to the poor results obtained when maintaining Swissair’s old honeycomb galleys. This was the start of a period of unprecedented growth and profitability. New products and processes followed, followed by the foundation of the other Group companies and shareholdings over the years. Highlights: 1953 Founded by Heinrich Bucher Galley and Catering Services for Swissair 1973 Expansion, build-up of engineering dept. Development of the Bucher aluminium galley system 1977 New Developments: • Catering trolley • EMS-Systems for rescue helicopters and aircraft 1982 Development of an ultralight aircraft (Canard) 1985 Development of solar automobiles (together with Biel Technical College) 1989 Bucher CP AG, Wünnewil founded Bucher Aerospace, Seattle, WA founded 1990 Won the World Solar Challenge with «Spirit of Biel II» 1992–1995 Handover to 2nd generation Company reorganisation 1996–2002 Further Developments: • Galley programs for Airbus A320/A330 • Galley program (SFE) for Boeing 717 • New Generation Stretcher • Video Deployment Systems • Folding Tables for the Mercedes Maybach • «lower lobe» Galleys for the A340-600   2002 - 2005 • Development of Modular Galley Single Aisle • Business Class and First Class Tables for seat supplier 2005 - 2006 • Expansion production and engineering (additional new building) • Galleys for Lufthansa A380 Top