Tyrolit history

The first step towards his vision, taken as early as 1907, was a housing development scheme, followed by the introduction of sporting activities and cultural events, along with a profit-linked bonus scheme and other fringe benefits.

The first of these was a line of crystal 'trimmings,' which debuted in 1931.

Wilhelm Swarovski finished his prototype field glasses in 1935, developing new grinding techniques for the field glasses' hand-ground and polished optical components.

The company began production of optical lenses in 1939, on the eve of World War II. The company's field glasses were to remain in the prototype stage, however, until after the war ended.

1945: Company launches its eyeglass lenses line.

By 1948, production of optical glass had outgrown the company's Wattens glass-cutting headquarters.

1949: Swarovski Optik is formed.

In 1950, the company relocated from the Swarovski Headquarters in Wattens to a new location in Schwaz.

The company also began developing a new range of opera glasses, which debuted in 1957.

In 1960, the company opened its first manufacturing plant outside of Austria, founding the grinding tool production facility Abrasivos Austromex in Mexico City, Mexico.

The worldwide recession of the decade, the result of the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973, had caused a dramatic drop in demand for the company's crystal gemstones.

In 1977 Swarovski followed up the worldwide success of its crystal animals by launching its own line of jewelry.

In 1991 Tyrolit acquired both the US company Diamond Products and the Swiss company Hydrostress.

1992: Tyrolit opens new Stans, Austria plant.

Helping to inspire this trend--which saw Swarovski's crystals glitter from creation of the world's top fashion designers--was Nadja Swarovski, who joined the company's New York branch in 1995.

In 1997, Tyrolit cemented its North American position with the acquisition of Bay State/Sterling Company, based in Massachusetts, then the number two leading manufacturer of bonded grinding tools in the United States market.

The company rolled out its own line of bird-watching binoculars in 1999.