Bernina International
Bernina International is a Swiss, family-owned manufacturer of sewing, embroidery, overlock, quilting, and textile-crafting systems.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Bernina International AG is a privately owned Swiss textile-technology company whose principal brand, Bernina, serves home sewing, garment construction, quilting, embroidery, overlocking, and craft markets. The company is headquartered in Steckborn, in the canton of Thurgau, and traces its origins to the workshop established there by mechanic and inventor Karl Friedrich Gegauf. In 1893, Gegauf developed a machine that mechanized hemstitching, a labor-intensive decorative technique previously performed by hand. That invention established the industrial and family-business foundation from which Bernina developed. The business initially operated as Gebrüder Gegauf and later under the name Fritz Gegauf. Its early products were specialized textile machines, including the Wotan hemstitch machine, but the company eventually moved toward household sewing equipment. During the economic difficulties of the early 1930s, Fritz Gegauf and the St. Gallen embroidery manufacturer Brütsch & Sohn developed the company’s first household sewing machine. Introduced in 1932, it was named Bernina after the Bernina mountain range. The name gradually became the company’s principal public identity. Bernina’s early household machines established a reputation for durable construction and precise mechanical performance. The company introduced a zigzag machine in 1938 and a portable free-arm zigzag machine in 1945. Its 730 model, introduced in the early 1960s, incorporated a patented knee-operated presser-foot lifter. The 830 series, produced from 1971 to 1981, became one of the company’s best-known mechanical ranges. Later developments included the 930 stretch-stitch machine and the 1130, launched in 1986 and described by the company as its first fully automatic sewing machine. Leadership passed through several generations of the Gegauf family. Odette Gegauf-Ueltschi entered the company in 1959 and assumed management after the death of her brother in 1965. Her influence is commemorated by the bernette brand name, formed from Bernina and the latter part of Odette’s first name. In 1988, her son Hanspeter Ueltschi became the company’s leader. Under his direction, Bernina expanded internationally, invested in computer-controlled sewing technology, and broadened its distribution beyond Switzerland and established European markets. The company opened a manufacturing facility in Thailand in 1990 and developed substantial business in the United States, Eastern Europe, Russia, South America, India, and the Middle East. The company’s product portfolio moved progressively from mechanical sewing machines to computerized sewing and embroidery systems. The artista 180 marked Bernina’s entry into sewing computers, followed by successive artista and aurora families. The business later expanded into longarm quilting, multi-needle embroidery through Melco Embroidery Systems, embroidery-design software, sewing accessories, quilting fabrics, and related craft supplies. Bernina also maintains the bernette brand, positioned toward beginners and price-sensitive or younger users. Since 2008, Bernina has operated under a more diversified international structure. CEO Claude Dreyer led the company from 2008 until 2020, during a period that included new overlockers, longarm quilting systems, and multi-needle embroidery products. Kai Hillebrandt became operational CEO in 2021, while Hanspeter Ueltschi remained chairman of the board. Ueltschi’s children, Katharina and Philipp, joined the executive board, continuing the family’s involvement in the business. Bernina’s current activities span product development, manufacturing, distribution, software, accessories, and textile supplies. Development, product management, quality management, marketing, and central administration remain centered in Steckborn. Production is based primarily in Lamphun, Thailand, while logistics operations are based in Appenweier, Germany. The broader Bernina Textile Group includes subsidiaries and affiliated businesses such as Benartex, OESD, Brewer, and Melco. In 2020, Bernina introduced the L 850 and L 890 overlockers with air-threading technology. In 2024, it launched the Bernina 990, a high-end sewing and embroidery system featuring camera, scanner, laser, and touchscreen functions designed to improve design placement and machine control.
History
Bernina International developed from the mechanical and embroidery workshop founded by Karl Friedrich Gegauf in Steckborn, Switzerland, in 1890. Gegauf, trained as a mechanic, had worked in the embroidery-machine industry before creating his own workshop with his brother Georg. In 1893, he invented a machine capable of mechanizing hemstitching, a decorative textile process that had traditionally been completed by hand. The invention is treated as the company’s founding milestone. A fire destroyed the workshop in 1895, but the prototype survived and provided the basis for rebuilding and serial production. The company’s early business concentrated on textile machinery. Under Fritz Gegauf, one of Karl Friedrich’s sons, the business developed the Wotan hemstitch machine and achieved international sales. The company later entered household sewing during the economic crisis of the early 1930s. In cooperation with Brütsch & Sohn of St. Gallen, it developed and introduced the first Bernina household sewing machine in 1932. The Bernina name became increasingly prominent, even though the legal company name remained connected to Fritz Gegauf for decades. Bernina expanded its household range through a series of mechanical innovations. A zigzag machine appeared in 1938, followed in 1945 by a portable free-arm zigzag machine. The 730 series introduced a knee-operated presser-foot lifter, giving the operator hands-free control of the presser foot. The 830 class, launched in 1971, became a particularly influential mechanical range and was manufactured for approximately a decade. The 930 introduced stretch-stitch capability in 1981, while the 1130, launched in 1986, represented the company’s move toward fully automated sewing. Odette Gegauf-Ueltschi, the founder’s granddaughter, joined the business in 1959 and became its leader after her brother’s death in 1965. The company’s bernette brand later commemorated her role by combining part of the Bernina name with part of her first name. In 1988, Hanspeter Ueltschi succeeded his mother and led the company into a more explicitly international phase. He emphasized product innovation, lower manufacturing costs, expanded marketing, and the development of new export markets. Bernina entered the computer-controlled sewing era with the artista 180 and subsequently developed the artista and aurora families. International expansion included the establishment of a production facility in Thailand in 1990. Bernina also strengthened its presence in the United States and expanded into Eastern Europe, Russia, South America, India, and the Middle East. To reflect the growing international importance of the Bernina brand, the legal company name was changed from Fritz Gegauf AG to Bernina International AG. From 2008 onward, Bernina broadened its portfolio beyond traditional household sewing machines. Under CEO Claude Dreyer, the company entered or expanded in longarm quilting, multi-needle embroidery, overlocking, and associated software. Its wider corporate group includes Melco Embroidery Systems, Benartex, OESD, and Brewer, covering industrial and commercial embroidery, quilting textiles, embroidery designs, and sewing supplies. Bernina’s principal development and administrative functions remain in Steckborn; manufacturing is based in Lamphun, Thailand, and logistics are centered in Appenweier, Germany. Kai Hillebrandt became operational CEO in 2021, with Hanspeter Ueltschi continuing as chairman and members of the Ueltschi family remaining involved in executive governance. Recent product development has included the L 850 and L 890 overlockers, introduced in 2020 with air-threading technology, and the Bernina 990 sewing and embroidery machine, launched in 2024 after a multiyear development program. The 990 combines sewing and embroidery functions with cameras, scanning, laser assistance, and touchscreen control. Bernina remains a privately owned international textile-technology group serving both professional enthusiasts and home users.
- 2024
Bernina 990 launched
[1]Bernina released the 990 sewing and embroidery machine with camera, scanner, laser, and touchscreen features.
- 2021
Kai Hillebrandt assumes operational leadership
[1]Kai Hillebrandt became CEO while Hanspeter Ueltschi retained the chairmanship.
- 2020
L 850 and L 890 overlockers launched
[1]Bernina introduced two overlockers with air-threading technology developed at its Swiss headquarters.
- 1990
Thai manufacturing facility established
[1]Bernina expanded its production footprint by establishing a facility in Lamphun, Thailand.
- 1990
Entry into computerized sewing
[1]The artista 180 became Bernina’s first sewing computer, beginning a continuing line of computerized systems.
- 1986
1130 fully automated sewing machine launched
[1]The 1130 marked a major step in Bernina’s transition from mechanical controls to automated sewing technology.
- 1981
930 stretch-stitch machine introduced
[1]Bernina added stretch-stitch functionality to its household sewing-machine range with the 930.
- 1971
830 series begins production
[1]The 830 class entered production and became one of Bernina’s most recognized mechanical sewing-machine families.
- 1963
730 machine and one-millionth machine
[1]Bernina introduced the 730 with a knee-operated presser-foot lifter and produced its millionth zigzag sewing machine.
- 1945
Portable free-arm zigzag machine introduced
[1]The company launched a portable zigzag machine with a free arm.
Products and positioning
A premium, innovation-led Swiss sewing and textile-crafting brand emphasizing precision, durability, long-term support, advanced computerized functions, and a broad ecosystem of machines, software, accessories, and education.
Mechanical sewing machines · 1932
Bernina mechanical sewing machines
Bernina’s mechanical machines are known for straightforward controls, robust construction, and long service life. Important families include the 730, 830, 930, and 1000 series. Many use the Bernina CB hook system and remain active in the used-equipment market because of their repairability, stable stitch formation, and compatibility with long-supported presser feet and accessories.
Mechanical sewing machines · 1971
Bernina 830 series
The 830 class was produced from 1971 to 1981 and became one of Bernina’s best-known mechanical families. It combined a metal-bodied construction with practical and decorative stitches and was used by home sewists, schools, costume departments, and other users seeking durable, precise equipment.
Computerized sewing machines
Bernina artista and aurora
The artista and aurora families represent Bernina’s transition into computer-controlled sewing. They replaced many mechanical controls with electronic interfaces, allowing users to select and modify stitches through buttons and displays. The families established a platform for later computerized sewing and embroidery systems.
Embroidery machines
Bernina embroidery systems
Bernina embroidery systems combine computerized machine control with embroidery hoops, design placement, and editing functions. The company also sells embroidery software and works across a broader group that includes OESD and Melco, covering consumer embroidery designs as well as single-head and multi-head professional equipment.
Overlockers and sergers · 2020
Bernina L 850 and L 890
The L 850 and L 890 are overlockers introduced in 2020. Their principal technical distinction is an air-threading system developed at Bernina’s Swiss headquarters, intended to simplify threading and improve usability for home sewing and garment-construction users.
Sewing and embroidery machine · 2024
Bernina 990
The Bernina 990 is a high-end sewing and embroidery machine launched in 2024 after a multiyear development program. It includes a touchscreen, camera, scanner, and laser-assisted functions. These tools support design placement by allowing users to visualize hooped fabric and position embroidery more precisely.
Entry-level sewing machines
bernette
bernette is Bernina’s second sewing-machine brand, aimed at beginners, younger users, and customers seeking simpler operation and lower prices than the main Bernina range. Its name combines Bernina with the latter part of Odette Gegauf-Ueltschi’s first name.
Professional embroidery systems
Melco embroidery systems
Melco Embroidery Systems is a Bernina Textile Group subsidiary that manufactures single-head and multi-head embroidery machines and develops embroidery software for professional and commercial applications.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch the Bernina 990Product launchBackground
Bernina pursued a high-end sewing and embroidery platform that could combine precision placement with a modern digital interface.
Action taken
The company launched the 990 with a touchscreen, camera, scanner, and laser-assisted functions.
Aftermath
The 990 extended Bernina’s premium computerized range and provided tools for visualizing fabric and positioning embroidery designs.
2020
Introduce air-threading overlockersProduct launchBackground
Bernina continued to extend its portfolio beyond conventional sewing machines into garment finishing and overlocking.
Action taken
The company launched the L 850 and L 890 with air-threading technology developed in Switzerland.
Aftermath
The models strengthened Bernina’s overlocker offering and emphasized ease of setup in a technically advanced product segment.
1990
Launch the artista 180 sewing computerProduct launchBackground
Electronic controls and computer technology were becoming central to the development of household sewing machines.
Action taken
Bernina introduced the artista 180 as its first sewing computer.
Aftermath
The product established the artista and later aurora families as important platforms in Bernina’s computerized product development.
1988
Accelerate international expansion and adopt the Bernina corporate nameStrategyBackground
Under Hanspeter Ueltschi, the family company sought to build a stronger global position and align its legal identity with its internationally recognized consumer brand.
Action taken
The company expanded export markets, established manufacturing in Thailand, and changed its legal name from Fritz Gegauf AG to Bernina International AG.
Aftermath
Bernina developed a broader presence in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East while retaining its Swiss headquarters.
1932
Enter the household sewing-machine marketProduct launchBackground
The company had historically focused on specialized textile machinery, while the Great Depression created pressure to develop commercially broader products.
Action taken
Fritz Gegauf and Brütsch & Sohn developed and introduced the first Bernina household sewing machine.
Aftermath
The Bernina name became the company’s principal consumer identity and the foundation of its household sewing business.
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