What Zurcher Ziegeleien does

Zürcher Ziegeleien AG is a Swiss manufacturer of ceramic building-envelope products, founded in 1865 (merged under its current name in 1912) and headquartered in Regensdorf, Switzerland, with clay-tile and brick production facilities in Istighofen and Laufen. The company produces clay roof tiles (including the heritage Casta Manufaktur line), thermally insulating Porotherm brick masonry, facade systems (Urban tiles, Terca facing bricks), roof-integrated photovoltaic systems (Unitas and zzsunstar biuno), and insulation products (swissporVIP vacuum panels, stone wool, XPS) — all assembled into a single "system" offering for the building envelope, backed by a first-of-its-kind 15-year Swiss steep-roof system guarantee. All roof tiles are HW4-rated in the VKF hail register.

The company serves three primary business segments: roofing contractors (Dachdecker), masonry and construction firms, and architects and planners, with secondary demand from private homeowners and public-sector projects. Distribution combines 24 regional field-sales consultants (construction professionals rather than pure salespeople), 84 sample gardens at dealer and company sites, and 61 certified partner companies authorized to issue the ZZ system guarantee. Pricing on products is quote-based through sales consultants; only training services (CHF 250–420 per course) and instructor services (CHF 550–920 per day) are publicly listed.

Zürcher Ziegeleien is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the swisspor Gruppe (acquired ~2020 from Wienerberger AG, which had owned the core business since 1999). It operates a dedicated in-house accessories production line, runs professional training and certification programs for installers (with up to 58% fee reimbursement via Holzbau Schweiz), and maintains a reference database of 118 projects across Europe. The company positions itself as the Swiss market leader for clay roof tiles and bricks, leveraging 160+ years of continuous domestic manufacturing and regulatory registration as primary competitive differentiators.

Name

Zurcher Ziegeleien

Legal name

Zürcher Ziegeleien AG

Website

https://zz-ag.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Zürcher Ziegeleien AG is a Swiss ceramic building-envelope manufacturer producing clay roof tiles, masonry, facades, roof-integrated photovoltaics, and insulation, serving roofing contractors, construction firms, and architects primarily in Switzerland through field sales, dealers, and certified partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clay Roofing and Masonry Building Products

NAICS

Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing (327120)

SIC

Structural Clay Products (3250)

akta.pro primary industry

Clay & Concrete Roof Tiles (IMADAFAC)

Keywords

• Clay roofing tiles
• Facing bricks
• Facade systems
• Photovoltaic roof tiles
• Vacuum insulation panels

Headquarters

HQ city

Regensdorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Clay Roofing Products: Clay roof tiles in various styles (flat, round, hip) and colors for pitched roofs. Core product line with century-long Swiss manufacturing tradition.
2. Masonry/Wall Products: Clay bricks for walls including Porotherm insulated bricks, SwissModul standard bricks, and facing bricks. Sold to construction companies and masons.
3. Facade Systems: Urban facade tiles and Terca facing bricks for ventilated facades. Includes supporting systems and accessories.
4. Photovoltaic Systems: Roof-integrated photovoltaic solutions (Unitas and zzsunstar biuno) combining energy generation with roofing. Includes planning, components, and installation support.
5. Insulation Products: Vacuum insulation panels (swissporVIP), stone wool (swissporROC), XPS boards, and accessories. Complement ceramic products for complete building envelope solutions.
6. Professional Training Services: Training courses for roofers and construction professionals on steep roofs, photovoltaics installation, and system guarantees. Instructor services for on-site training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zürcher Ziegeleien AG manufactures and sells clay-based building products for the Swiss construction market, including flat and pitched clay roof tiles, facing bricks, thermal-insulating masonry blocks, facade systems, and integrated photovoltaic roof tiles. The company also offers vacuum insulation panels and certified roof-side protection systems, bundled with a system-guarantee covering compatible components. Customers range from roofing contractors and masons to architects, planners, building-material merchants, and end homeowners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Endura Flat-pitched clay roof system enabling the use of clay roof tiles on low-slope roofs; designed for architects, planners, roofing contractors, and certified partner installers seeking clay-tile aesthetics on modern, lower-pitch roofs.
• Unitas Photovoltaic-integrated clay roof tile combining on-roof solar generation with the appearance of traditional ceramic roof tiles; targets homeowners, architects, roofing contractors, and certified partner installers interested in building-integrated photovoltaics.
• zzsunstar biuno Large-format photovoltaic solar roof system for larger roof surfaces; intended for contractors, planners, and end customers seeking sizeable in-roof solar generation.
• Porotherm Einsteinmauerwerk Thermally insulating brick masonry system for energy-efficient exterior and interior walls; sold to masonry contractors, construction companies, architects, and planners for residential and commercial wall construction.
• Casta Manufaktur batten tiles Traditional batten roof tiles manufactured by the Casta Manufaktur brand; targets architects, restorers, and contractors working on traditional or heritage-pitched roofs.
• Urban Fassadenziegel Facade brick system for contemporary architectural wall finishes; targets architects, planners, masonry contractors, and building companies designing modern facades.
• swissporVIP Vacuum insulation panel for ultra-thin, high-performance thermal insulation in roofs, walls, and floors; targeted at energy-efficient construction projects by contractors and architects.
• swissporSAFSYS Side-protection system for steep pitched roofs providing fall protection at the roof edge; sold to roofing contractors, certified partner installers, and building owners requiring safety solutions for steep roofs.
• Sichtmauerwerk facing bricks Architectural facing bricks for visible load-bearing and non-load-bearing masonry; targeted at masonry contractors, architects, and planners specifying exposed-brick walls.
• SwissModul standard bricks Standard bricks for conventional masonry construction; sold to building-material merchants, masonry contractors, and construction companies for typical wall applications.
• Terca facing bricks Facing brick range under the Terca brand for architectural wall finishes; targets architects, planners, and masonry contractors seeking varied aesthetic finishes.
• swissporROC stone wool Stone wool insulation for thermal and acoustic insulation in buildings; targets contractors and insulation installers within the swisspor portfolio.
• Training courses (Zürcher Ziegeleien Academy) Training courses for roofing and masonry installers covering product application, certified installation, and best practices; sold to certified partner companies, contractors, and installers, priced per attendee.

Quantifiable outcome

• All ZZ roof tiles achieve HW4 hail resistance class - highest classification in Swiss hail register
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• swisspor GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Parent company of Zürcher Ziegeleien. The swisspor Group encompasses multiple companies developing building envelope solutions. ZZ operates as part of this group, benefiting from shared technology development and integrated system solutions across roof, wall, facade, and insulation products.
• Stiftung azb (Strengelbach)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit foundation in Strengelbach, Aargau providing employment and training for people with disabilities. Performs final assembly of Unitas photovoltaic modules with Swiss craftsmanship. Supports circular economy goals through quality assembly work.
• Vereinigung Kantonaler Feuerversicherungen (VKF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Cantonal Fire Insurers. ZZ was the first Swiss brick manufacturer to have tiles tested and registered in the VKF hail register. Buildings with roofs using non-registered tiles after November 2020 may not be covered by cantonal building insurance for hail damage.
• Herzog & de MeuronflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned Basel architecture firm using ZZ products in their projects. Featured project Tilia in Altstetten showcases collaboration between leading architecture and Swiss building materials.
• Holzbau SchweizminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss Timber Construction Association. ZZ training course fees eligible for up to 58% reimbursement through this association. Supports professional development in roofing and construction trades.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wienerberger AG: World's largest producer of clay building materials including bricks and roof tiles (brands Koramic, Creaton, Tondach). Former owner of ZZ (1999–c.2020), operates in the same product categories and competes directly in clay roof tiles across Europe.
• Creaton GmbH: German clay roof tile manufacturer (Wienerberger subsidiary) offering comparable pitched-roof ceramic tile systems with system guarantees. Direct competitor in the DACH clay roof tile market.
• Braas GmbH (BMI Group): Leading European pitched-roof systems supplier offering concrete and clay tiles plus system components and guarantees. Closely comparable to ZZ's integrated steep-roof system approach with certified installer networks.
• Jacobi Tonwerke GmbH: German manufacturer of clay roof tiles and accessories with a broad product range for pitched roofs. Competes with ZZ in premium and heritage clay tile segments in the DACH market.
• Terreal: French clay roof tile and facade systems producer with European footprint. Comparable product mix (clay tiles, facade elements, integrated systems) and similar premium positioning to ZZ.
• Meyer-Holsen GmbH: German premium clay roof tile maker known for design and heritage projects. Comparable to ZZ's Casta Manufaktur heritage range and competes for the same high-end architectural specifications.
• Laumans GmbH: Family-owned German clay roof tile manufacturer focused on premium glazed and engobe tiles. Competes with ZZ in the high-quality clay tile segment for residential and heritage projects.

Broad incumbents

• swisspor Gruppe: Pan-European building materials group and current parent of ZZ; produces insulation, roofing, and sealing systems. Comparable as a multi-product building envelope supplier, though broader and more diversified than ZZ's clay-tile focus.
• Eternit / Etex: Etex group (Eternit, Cedral) is a major European building materials company producing fiber-cement and alternative roofing and facade solutions. Adjacent competitor in the broader envelope materials market.
• BMI Group (Monier / Icopal): Large pan-European roofing and waterproofing group encompassing Monier (tiles) and Icopal (membranes). Comparable integrated roofing system portfolio and competing with ZZ in the steep-roof system segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• Instagraminstagram.com/zuercherziegeleien
• Xx.com/zzwancorag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zurcher Ziegeleien