The history of RONDO
RONDO’s pioneering spirit and Swiss craftsmanship have their origins in a small workshop in Burgdorf in the Emmental. This grew into a company whose values and commitment to precision continue to shape the DNA of our systems and services to this day – worldwide and across generations.
Milestones in RONDO’s history
1948
On 1 May, Gustav A. Seewer took over Max Ludwig’s ‘mechanical workshop’ at Heimiswilstrasse 42 in Burgdorf, Switzerland, and founded the ‘Konstruktions-Werkstätte Burgdorf’ (KWB).
1960
Launch of the German sales company and introduction of the first automatic cutting table.
1964
Opening of a sales company in the USA.
1971
The sole proprietorship G. A. Seewer, Maschinenfabrik Burgdorf, is converted into the public limited company Seewer AG, Maschinenfabrik Burgdorf.
1972
Major investments, a fraudulent managing director in Germany, a shortage of skilled staff, high inflation, poor sales figures, a severe lack of liquidity and many other setbacks: Seewer AG finds itself in a serious crisis, which it manages to overcome following a comprehensive restructuring.
1974
Establishment of a sales company in France.
1981
The second generation takes over: Gustav A. Seewer hands over the management of the company to his eldest son, Ruedi Seewer.
1984
Establishment of a sales company in the UK.
1987
RONDO launches and patents the Compas – the world’s first electronic dough sheeter. It not only revolutionises the market, but above all the day-to-day working lives of thousands of bakery staff. This Compas is the forerunner of groundbreaking developments such as the Compas 4.0 launched in 2020 – the first dough sheeter with four individual drives.
1997
Seewer RONDO has acquired the company Doge in Schio, Italy, thereby entering the market for industrial bakery equipment. Until now, RONDO had focused on machinery for artisan bakeries. In 1998, the company was renamed RONDO DOGE.
1999
Robert Rohrer takes over as Managing Director of SEEWER RONDO AG.
2001
Transfer of the shares to Fabrel AG. The company is sold to a buyer who prioritises continuity, long-term commitment and strategic support.
2008
From this year onwards, the group will be known worldwide exclusively as ‘RONDO’.
2010
RONDO is launching the ‘Advanced Sanitary Technology’ lines, or ASTec lines for short. This is a specialised hygiene design concept for industrial bakery machinery. ASTec lines are characterised by being particularly easy to clean, maintain and inspect.
2017
With the RONDObot, RONDO is once again demonstrating its pioneering spirit: The new machine processes up to 1,000 kg of dough per hour and
gently shapes even pre-baked or high-hydration bread doughs into bread loaves and rolls.
2023
RONDO celebrates 75 years of dough expertise, innovation and success.
2025
RONDO is presenting the new generation of make-up lines with the Starline 5 at the World Conference in Burgdorf.
2026
RONDO is delighted to have won the Bakery China Innovation Award for the Starline 5. Presented annually at Bakery China in Shanghai, the award recognises product and technological innovations that drive the bakery industry forward and highlights the success of the latest generation of refurbishment systems.