> About the company

Optrel AG - formerly SPERIAN Welding Protection AG - is a company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of welding helmets. Optrel AG has an extensive product portfolio with both active and passive ranges available in order to meet the needs of all welders across the globe.

Innovation reliability, quality and an absolute focus on safety are the core pillars of the philosophy, which all employees consistently apply.

Protection, in combination with the correct welding helmet for the welders needs is essential in ensuring the health and safety of welders.

Company history

February 1982	Beginning of the research project „shade cartridge“
March 1983	Establishment of EMT AG (European Manufacturing Technology)
May 1985	Establishment of OPTREL AG in Wattwil (Switzerland) as licensee of EMT AG; Preparation for series production
Summer 1987	Introduction to the market of the welding mask optrel solarmatic® (shade level 9 - 13)
August 1990	Takeover of OPTREL AG by André Eggenschwiler and Christophe Lutz
November 1992	Introduction to the market of the welding mask optrel solarmatic comfort® (shade level 9 - 13)
June 1993	Introduction of the powered air purifying respirator optrel® airflow
September 1993	First company with 2-year warranty for all OPTREL welding masks and cartridges
July 1994	Establishment of the OPTREL office in Singapore
Summer 1994	World-wide launching of three new types of welding masks (OEM products)
February 1997	World-wide launching of the new shade cartridge optrel® twisty comfort with shade level 10 – 12
June 1998	Introduction of the one shade cartridge optrel® Mira with shade level 10 or 11
October 1998	Introduction of the unique shade cartridge optrel® Mira plus with shade level 10 and 11
January 1999	Takeover of OPTREL AG by Bacou Group, France
September 1999	Introduction of the auto-darkening welding filter optrel® Nova with automatic shade adjustment 3/10 or by use of an additional coloured filter 4/11 (cartridge dimensions: 2“ x 4.25“ x 0.21“ / 50, 8 x 108 x 5,3 mm)
May 2001	Introduction of the optrel® OSEvolution and shade cartridge Satellite with shade levels 5 - 9 and 9 - 13
September 2001	Merger of the Bacou Group with Dalloz to the Bacou-Dalloz Group
June 2003	Introduction of the shade cartridges optrel® Sirius with the shade levels 3/10 and 3/11
July 2004	Introduction of the “unique” products: optrel® Orion OSE, with automatic/manual function and the optrel® Helios with adapter integrating a LED-lighting and the optrel® Miraplus OSE
November 2005	Extending the product-range in respiratory protection. Introduction of the optrel® OS100 PAPR
June 2006	Integration of the company Beauverger into the company Optrel AG. Extending the product-range in passive products
October 2006	Launch of the optrel® Satellite Brilliant with true color filter and shade levels 5 - 9 and 9 – 13
June 2007	Change the name of the group from Bacou-Dalloz to Sperian Protection and change the trademark from optrel® to Sperian for a strong global market presence
October 2008	Launch of the products Optrel e680 (replaces the Optrel Satellite), Optrel e670 (replaces the Optrel Orion), Optrel e650, Optrel e640 (replaces the Optrel Miraplus), Optrel e1100 PAPR (replaces the Optrel OS100 PAPR) in Europe, launch of the OS100 US in the Americas
May 2009	Launch of the Optrel Hard Hat Adapter Connect, with which a welding helmet (also with PAPR) in connection with a hard hat can be worn.
September 2009	Launch of the welding helmets Optrel p550 (replaces the Optrel p450 & STAR), Optrel p530 (replaces the Optrel p430, p420 & p410), Optrel p505 (passive-helmet DIN 11), as well as the Optrel e2100 PAPR (Gas- and particle filtering blower-unit).
July 2010	The Sperian Welding Protection AG has become detached from the parent company Sperian and is again 100% independent - swiss owned by the brothers René and Marco Koch. The company re-enters under the well known name Optrel AG.