Origins

Gustav Eichelberger (1924-2013), founder of GUVARO, was born in Sumiswald, a little village in Canton Bern. Sumiswald, first mentioned in 1225 as Smoldeswalt, was a commandery of Teutonic(German) Knight. By the 18th Century, the village was known for yarn and cloth trade, horse breeding and cheese export.

In the 19th century, new branches of industry have been established in Sumiswald, amongst others pendulum and watch manufactures. Today, Sumiswald is still known for pendulums and clocks especially produced for airports, railways and public buildings. Although Sumiswald is quite known, its population never exceeded 6000 habitants.