History

1953

In September, NIMEX AG, an import/export company specializing in the distribution of consumer goods of all kinds, is founded.

1958

Mr. Reinhard von der Crone, who later becomes the owner and senior manager, joins NIMEX AG. The company becomes the liaison office for JC Penney Co, USA, managing their procurements from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

1960

The Zurich office intensifies its export activities to the USA, shipping embroidery, notions, and more. Simultaneously, the import of sporting goods from Eastern Europe begins, and Kaufring from Germany becomes a cooperation partner.

1972

The watch trade enters NIMEX AG. Imports of Roskopf and pin-lever watches for JC Penney—operating 1,700 stores in the USA—are handled through NIMEX AG. At the same time, the company organizes the establishment of a service center in the USA. NIMEX begins manufacturing and selling pocket watches with anchor movements and takes on the exclusive distribution of Continental anchor watches in the Swiss and German markets. Asia starts growing in manufacturing of Consumer goods; as “early adaptors”, buying trips to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong start to be “regular” and soon become an important part of Nimex’ activities. Toys, X-mas decoration, Clocks, Watches, Camping Goods, Lighting and many more played an important role then and in the years to follow.

1981/1982

The companies EVACO SA in Neuchâtel and EST Economic Swiss Time (formerly SSIH Omega-Tissot) in Mumpf, Canton of Aargau, are acquired. EVACO SA specializes in wholesale pocket watches, which are exported to the USA for JC Penny and K-Mart, as well as to Germany for Tchibo and Eduscho.

Economic Swiss Time produces Swiss Made watches under the Continental – Swiss Made Watches since 1924 brand. Their customers include Swiss retailers as well as German department stores such as Kaufhof, Metro, and Otto Versand. Additionally, the company supplies watches to countries such as Belgium, France, England, Spain, Italy, the Middle East (Rivoli Group), and Hong Kong.

1989

The merger of EVCO and EST into the company EVACO SA, headquartered in Möhlin, is taking place. The new company will be acquired by the Rivoligroup, based in Dubai, while NIMEX AG will continue to operate as a distribution company with exclusive distribution rights. NIMEX AG will remain responsible for distributing all Swiss Made brands (including Continental, EverSwiss) and will maintain after-sales service for various customers and countries.

To this day, NIMEX AG exclusively produces and distributes various brands (Continental, Morellato, Maserati, Braun and many more) in Switzerland and surrounding EU markets. The customer segments range from watch and jewelry retailers to department stores, duty-free shops, online shops, and mail-order businesses.

2003

The second generation, Hans Christian von der Crone, takes over the helm and has successfully managed the affairs of NIMEX AG as owner and CEO to this day.

2005

Relocation from Zurich to Adliswil; this means we have been based in the beautiful Sihl Valley near Zurich for 20 years this year.

We are a typical SME with 9 employees, located in Sood (S4 – Sood-Oberleimbach) in the Sihltal region. Here, we have our office spaces, an in-house warehouse, a beautiful showroom, our distribution center, and our Service Après-Vente department. Additionally, we operate an external warehouse with Sidler in Rotkreuz and have further external service locations. Our experienced field sales team regularly travels across Switzerland.

We are strengthening our specialization in the production and distribution of Swiss Made private label brands, while also enhancing our Service Après-Vente offerings. These include collection development, quality control, branch support by field representatives, and other services, all provided in close collaboration with our respective customers. We do play an important role in the distribution of well-known Toys and Outdoor product brands.