Over 60 years ago, young stove setter Walter Rüegg, founder of Swiss manufacturer of
indoor and outdoor fireplaces Rüegg Cheminée Schweiz AG, was cycling along the dusty streets of the little village of Zumikon with his bicycle and trailer. His mission: to magic a crackling fire into the living rooms of his customers. This alone wasn’t enough for the busy craftsman, however; in 1959 he invented the first wood fireplace whose combustion chamber could be closed with a glass door. He at first earned more scorn and derision than enthusiasm for his idea – which he immediately patented. Walter Rüegg refused to be discouraged, however, and continued to experiment and ultimately develop the first fireplace with a sliding fire door. His invention was a sensation worldwide, setting the basic standards for the efficient, low-emission heating of our modern living areas. The patents have long since expired and Rüegg has doubtlessly become one of the most emulated prototypes. Matthias Rüegg and his team are now even a little proud of this fact. Rüegg has adopted it as its mission to consistently maintain this virtue. “If people copy you, then you can’t be that bad!” says the current president of the board of directors of the family business which is based in Hinwil in Switzerland. Rüegg Cheminée Schweiz AG employs 34 people and has been headed by Matthias Rüegg, the second generation to manage the family company, since 2005. In its products sold worldwide, Rüegg attaches great value to quality and the use of top-class materials, which is why the Rüegg product range is marketed in the medium to high price segment. Here, Rüegg relies on the strong Rüegg Studio franchise group. In the approximately 170 Rüegg Studios located all over the world, prospective fireplace owners can obtain advice on their individual dream item.
