70 Years of Loepfe – A Tradition of Innovation

Zurich, 1955: In a small workshop, brothers Helmut and Dr. Erich Loepfe followed a bold vision. They were convinced that the future of the textile industry would be electronic.

At that time, only five people worked at Loepfe. Just one year later, they launched a world first: the first opto-electronic weft feeler.

A beam of light monitored the weft thread, triggered an automatic bobbin change when yarn was missing, reduced waste, and improved fabric quality – a revolutionary step for the automation level of the time.

In the very first Loepfe Review, the founders wrote with courage:
"We want to show not only what we produce, but also who we are – and how our devices work even under the toughest conditions."

Growth – Even in Crisis

In 1958, the textile industry was hit by a severe crisis. But Loepfe continued to grow. The weft feelers helped weaving mills make optimal use of their machines, reduce costs, and maximize efficiency.

From 1957 onwards, Loepfe also produced standardized machine parts and was quick to adopt the newly developed semiconductor technology. This bold step made the devices more reliable and compact.

By 1960, the numbers spoke for themselves:

- 4,000 feelers in operation worldwide
- Around 30 employees
- Devices sold on every continent

The Road to the Electronic Weft Stop

Loepfe aimed higher: a fully electronic weft stop – automatic error detection for weaving machines.

For the ITMA in Milan in 1959, the prototype had to be ready. Development was a challenge: ionic thread markings, infrared heat marks, piezoelectric crystals, photoelectric and magnetic systems – many were tested, most discarded.

On February 1, 1961, the breakthrough idea came from Hansruedi Stutz:
A roller in the threader, over which the weft passed, made its movement measurable – simple, ingenious, and practical.

From a “flash of inspiration” came a successful product.

Global Expansion and Impressive Numbers

The 1960s brought change: automatic weaving machines, synthetic fibers, rising wages, higher speeds. Quality and efficiency became more critical than ever.

Loepfe grew rapidly:

Sales tripled within seven years, from 4,000 to 12,070 feelers
Strong growth in silk and rayon applications: from 920 feelers on automatic weaving machines in 1960 to 6,400 in 1967
Expansion into cotton and glass fiber
Customers in more than 50 countries

In the Loepfe Review, traveling fitters were affectionately described as the “birds of modern engineering”. Driving VW Beetles with toolboxes that resembled treasure chests, they were praised as masters of improvisation – with knowledge, humor, and quick wit.

Innovation as a Principle – and Hard Years

Loepfe developed from a feeler manufacturer into a specialist for textile quality assurance. New products included:

- Electronic yarn clearer FR (1962)
- FR-600 Data-L (1985) – the first yarn clearer with length measurement
- Electronic weft brake (1987)

But the 1980s also brought crises. At its peak in 1980, Loepfe employed 220 people – then the market collapsed, and 70 jobs had to be cut.

In 1983, Dr. Hermann Spinner took over and focused on spinning products – a decision that saved the company.

The big breakthrough came in 1991 at ITMA Hannover: YARNMASTER – the first yarn clearer with foreign fiber detection. A new world standard.

High-Tech with a Human Touch

As textile production shifted to Asia, Loepfe expanded its network there. Today, more than 50% of sales come from China and India.

Yet Loepfe has remained distinctly Swiss: development, production, and service are still based in Wetzikon.

With YARNMASTER® PRISMA, Loepfe set another milestone:

- Fusion of optical and capacitive measurement
- Detection of even transparent foreign fibers such as white polypropylene
- Increased quality assurance, less waste, and higher productivity

70 Years of Innovation, Courage and Precision

Loepfe looks back on:

- More than 2 million sensors installed worldwide
- A well-established network in over 50 countries
- Pioneer achievements: the first opto-electronic weft feeler (1956), the first yarn clearer with integrated foreign fiber detection (1991), and the YarnMaster® PRISMA (2019) – the world’s first yarn clearer with dual sensor technology

The anniversary motto says it all:
“70 Years of Loepfe – a tradition of innovation.”

It is a promise: The pioneering spirit will never stop. From a small team with a dream to a global innovation leader – and the journey continues.