What started off in 1961 as an architect's design sketch for modular furniture to meet our own requirements soon turned into the company's main product.
USM Modular Furniture is still produced, as it always has been, by USM in Münsingen, Switzerland.
1885
USM founding as a hardware and locksmith’s business in Muensingen, Switzerland by Ulrich Schaerer.
1961
Paul Schaerer, 3rd generation, joins USM.The decision is made to build a new factory and office pavilion. Paul Schaerer collaborated with the architect Fritz Haller to realize his idea and vision for a flexible factory building created with the architect’s unique, steel modular construction system.
1963
Paul Schaerer and Fritz Haller developed a furniture system for the new USM office pavillion in Muensingen, Switzerland. The result was a flexible product that would adapt to the growing business and spatial demands of USM.
1965
Application for patent registration for the USM ball joint for furniture by Paul Schärer.
1969
Production and sale of USM Haller begins. First large contract furnishing the Rothschild Bank in Paris, France.
1975
Founding of the subsidiary USM U. Scharer Soehne GmbH in Buehl, Germany.