What Gasser Ceramic does

Gasser Ceramic is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer of clay-based building envelope materials, headquartered in Rapperswil BE, Switzerland, with operations tracing to approximately 1900 and now in its fourth generation of family ownership as of January 2026. The company operates four production sites across Switzerland and employs approximately 200 people through four wholly-owned subsidiaries: TBB SA, Morandi Frères SA, Ziegelei Rapperswil Louis Gasser AG, and Panotron AG. Its product portfolio spans three categories: clay roof tiles including traditional Biberschwanzziegel and Falzziegel interlocking tiles; wall and facade bricks including the CAPO monolithic masonry system with sheep wool insulation (CAPO LANA); and building-integrated photovoltaic solutions marketed under the Panotron brand (PAN solar tile and FIT in-roof solar module). The company manufactures 3,152 distinct product variants from locally sourced natural clay.

The commercial model is built on direct sales to roofing contractors, architects, and building planners across Switzerland, supported by physical showrooms (Mustergärten) at its Rapperswil BE and Corcelles-près-Payerne locations, plus an extensive download center offering product catalogs, technical data sheets, CAD drawings (DXF), SIA-format specifications, and installation manuals. Revenue is generated through project-based hardware sales of roof tiles, bricks, and photovoltaic products, with distribution concentrated within Switzerland's roughly 41,285 km² market area. Customer segments include professional roofing contractors, architects and planning professionals, commercial building developers, and private homeowners undertaking renovation or new construction. The company emphasizes consultative selling through technical advisors and positions heritage compatibility (e.g., Handstrich, Antico, special tower tiles for domed roofs) as a key specification driver alongside modern performance features.

Gasser Ceramic holds TÜV certifications for its Panotron solar products (PAN dated January 2024, FIT dated May 2025), CE conformity declarations for FIT54V4 and PAN32V2, and Minergie-Eco and eco-bau certifications for its CAPO brick products. The company has invested in operational sustainability, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,650 tonnes between 2015 and 2020 through fuel-oil-to-natural-gas conversion and heat-exchanger installation, and participates in a Brazilian brickworks climate offset project via Swiss Climate targeting 568,050 tonnes of CO2e saved over ten years. Notable reference projects include the Hotel Palace Luzern heritage restoration (22,500 Biberschwanzziegel tiles for the Mandarin Oriental-managed property), the Stadt Winterthur Werkhof municipal depot (513 PAN-32 solar modules covering facility and vehicle-fleet energy consumption), and the Linth-Escher Immobilien cooperative housing project in Zurich (74,700 I+L lisse bricks across 2,873 m² of facade). In January 2026, fourth-generation leaders Julienne Gasser and Lukas Schläppi assumed management responsibility from the third generation (Ruedi and Hans Gasser), who continue as advisors; in June 2022, Daniel Fürst (PhD in technical ceramics, 22 years aerospace industry experience) joined as Gesamtleiter Vertrieb.

Name

Gasser Ceramic

Legal name

Gasser Ceramic

Website

https://gasserceramic.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Gasser Ceramic is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer producing clay roof tiles, wall bricks, and building-integrated photovoltaic tiles across four Swiss production sites, serving roofing contractors, architects, and homeowners throughout Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clay Building Materials

NAICS

Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing (327120), Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing (32712)

SIC

Structural Clay Products (3250)

akta.pro primary industry

Clay & Concrete Roof Tiles (IMADAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Masonry Veneer Units (Thin Brick, Stone Veneer) (IMADABAI)

Keywords

• Clay roof tiles
• Ceramic bricks
• Building-integrated photovoltaics
• Solar roof tiles
• Masonry products

Headquarters

HQ city

Payerne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Roofing Tiles and Components: Sale of clay roof tiles including Falzziegel, Biberschwanzziegel, Firstziegel, and Spezialziegel. Products are sold directly to roofing contractors and through distribution channels to builders and homeowners. Revenue is one-time per project with long sales cycles tied to construction and renovation projects.
2. Photovoltaic Products: Integrated solar solutions including Solarziegel PAN and Solarmodul FIT sold alongside traditional roofing products. Targets both new construction and renovation projects where aesthetic integration of photovoltaics is desired.
3. Wall and Facade Bricks: Sale of bricks for wall construction including CAPO system, Modulbacksteine, Schalldämmsteine, and Spezialsteine. Serves both residential and commercial building projects with products for standard and specialized applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gasser Ceramic manufactures and sells clay-based ceramic construction materials, including roof tiles (Falzziegel, Biberschwanzziegel, Firstziegel, Spezialziegel), wall bricks (Capo system, Modulbacksteine, Schalldämmsteine, Spezialsteine), facade products, and integrated photovoltaic solutions (Solarziegel PAN, Solarmodul FIT). The company produces 3,152 product variants across four Swiss manufacturing sites for the building envelope market.

Product overview

Gasser Ceramic is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer producing clay-based building materials for roofs, walls, and facades. The product portfolio includes: (1) Roofing division with interlocking tiles (Falzziegel: FS 03, Joran, J 72, MS 95, BM 72, M 72, GS 20, Bornan, P 72), traditional flat tiles (Biberschwanzziegel: various wavy, smooth, and decorative variants), ridge tiles (Firstziegel series), and special solar-compatible tiles (Solar-F); (2) Photovoltaic division offering building-integrated solar solutions including the PAN (PAN 32) solar roof tile and FIT (FIT 54) solar module; (3) Wall division featuring the CAPO insulated brick system (including wool-insulated LANA variant), modular bricks (ground and non-ground), acoustic bricks, and specialty bricks including I+L series; (4) Facade division providing modern ceramic facade solutions. The company operates four Swiss production sites and offers over 3,152 product variants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Panotron: Solar tile and photovoltaic module brand producing PAN solar tiles and FIT solar modules for building-integrated photovoltaics.
• CAPO
• TBB SA

Products and services

• Solarziegel PAN (PAN 32) Solar roof tile that integrates seamlessly with traditional clay tiles, combining photovoltaic energy generation with aesthetic roof appearance. The PAN 32 model is installed like conventional tiles using standard roofing techniques, with every 4 tiles forming one module.
• Solarmodul FIT (FIT 54) Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar module that combines solar energy generation with traditional roof aesthetics, functioning as an in-roof solar solution for residential and commercial buildings.
• Flachschiebeziegel Solar-F Flat interlocking tile specifically designed for use in combination with PAN solar tiles, providing an aesthetic unified roof appearance for solar-integrated roofing systems.
• CAPO Brick System (365 T6, 425 LANA) High-performance brick masonry system including CAPO 365 T6 and CAPO 425 LANA (filled with Swiss sheep wool insulation). Functions as monolithic masonry providing humidity regulation, noise blocking, and heat retention with eco-bau and Minergie-Eco certification.
• Falzziegel (Interlocking Roof Tiles) Range of interlocking clay roof tiles including Flachschiebeziegel FS 03, Schiebeziegel Joran, Juraziegel J 72, Muldenschiebeziegel MS 95, Bergmuldenziegel BM 72, Muldenziegel M 72, Glattschiebeziegel GS 20, Schiebeziegel Bornan, and Pfannenziegel P 72, for standard roof applications.
• Biberschwanzziegel (Flat Roof Tiles) Traditional flat clay roof tiles in numerous variants including gewellt (wavy), glatt (smooth), antik mit Handstrich (antique hand-formed), à l'ancienne, Antico, Bernerbiber, Linea, Vaudaire, and special tower tiles for domed/curved roofs and heritage restoration projects.
• Firstziegel (Ridge Tiles) Ridge tiles for roof ridges including Fi 44, Fi 40, Fi 35, Fi 26, Lüfterfirstziegel LF 89 (ventilation ridge), and Falzfirstziegel FF.
• Modulbacksteine (Module Bricks) Precision-engineered modular bricks available in ungeschliffen (non-ground) and plangeschliffen (precision-ground) variants for masonry construction applications.
• Schalldämmsteine (Acoustic Bricks) Sound-dampening bricks designed for acoustic insulation in walls, used in buildings requiring enhanced noise reduction performance.
• Spezialsteine (Special Bricks) Specialty bricks including I+L lisse 12/14 for industrial and rural construction, designed for optimal cost-quality ratio in commercial and rural projects.
• Fassadenziegel (Facade Tiles) Ceramic facade solutions that revive traditional brick facades with modern interpretation and design possibilities for contemporary building exteriors.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduced by 1,650 tonnes between 2015-2020 through operational improvements
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Enzmann Fischer Partner AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Architecture firm that selected Gasser Ceramic I+L lisse 12/14 bricks for the Birchstrasse housing project in Zurich, using innovative upside-down installation technique for distinctive facade aesthetic.
• Beyeler-Suremann AGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2022Roofing contractor partnership for installation of Gasser Ceramic solar tile products. The company specializes in traditional roofing with decades of experience and has been working with Gasser Ceramic on multiple projects including the Winterthur Werkhof installation of 513 PAN-32 modules. The partnership enables proper installation of photovoltaic-integrated roofing systems.
• Graf Bedachungen AGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing partnership with roofing company in Bleiken bei Oberdiessbach. Founded in 1966, the family business represents a multi-generational partnership with Gasser Ceramic, with Graf Bedachungen AG using almost exclusively Gasser Ceramic products. They represent a 'feelings since an eternity' relationship according to company statements.
• Walser Zumbrunn Wäckerli Architektur GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm responsible for the Winterthur Werkhof project design, playing a central role in integrating photovoltaic requirements with heritage preservation considerations.
• Schürch-Egli AGcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilding envelope specialist company (Gebäudehüllenspezialistin) based in Sempach, member of Gebäudehülle Schweiz. Executed the prestigious Hotel Palace Luzern roof renovation project using Gasser Ceramic special heritage tiles.
• Swiss ClimateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate certification organization through which Gasser Ceramic purchases emission certificates to offset their carbon footprint, supporting a Brazilian brickworks' transition to renewable biomass energy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BMI Group (Braas): BMI Group, owner of the Braas brand, is one of Europe's largest pitched roof systems manufacturers offering clay and concrete roof tiles including interlocking and flat formats. Direct peer: closely overlapping product range (clay roof tiles, ridge tiles, integrated system solutions) sold to similar roofing contractor and architect customers across European markets.
• Koramic (Wienerberger): Koramic is Wienerberger's premium clay roof tile brand offering a broad range of interlocking and traditional tiles in the Benelux and Western European markets. Direct peer: directly competitive product range with Gasser's Falzziegel and Biberschwanzziegel lines, similar architectural specification channel, and overlapping installer base.
• Röben Tonbaustoffe GmbH: Röben is a family-owned German manufacturer of clay facing bricks and roof tiles. Direct peer: comparable family-owned mid-sized clay building materials producer with overlapping product categories (clay roof tiles, facing bricks) and similar premium positioning.
• Creaton GmbH: Creaton is a major German manufacturer of clay roof tiles including interlocking, flat, and special heritage tiles such as Biberschwanz variants. Direct peer: same product category (Tondachziegel) with overlapping SKU range, similar heritage renovation positioning, and overlapping target customer base (roofing contractors and architects) in German-speaking markets.
• Meyer-Holsen GmbH: Meyer-Holsen is a family-owned German manufacturer specializing in premium clay roof tiles including heritage and special-format tiles. Direct peer: comparable specialty positioning in clay roof tiles, similar family-business identity, and overlapping customer base of heritage-conscious architects and premium roofers.

Emerging players

• Solarstone: Solarstone is a European BIPV solar tile manufacturer offering integrated photovoltaic roof solutions. Emerging player: directly competitive BIPV technology to Gasser's PAN/FIT products, serving similar architect and developer segments but with a more pure-play solar focus and different brand positioning.
• Tesla Solar Roof: Tesla Solar Roof is a building-integrated photovoltaic roofing system that competes directly with Gasser's PAN and FIT solar tiles. Emerging player in the same BIPV category: overlapping technology (solar tiles that look like traditional roofing), but with vastly greater capital, brand, and geographic reach.

Broad incumbents

• Wienerberger AG: Wienerberger is the world's largest producer of clay bricks and a leading European clay roof tile manufacturer. It is a broad incumbent peer: overlapping product categories (clay roof tiles, bricks, wall systems) but with continent-wide scale, public listing, and a much broader portfolio than Gasser's Swiss-only operation.

Regional players

• Eternit (Swiss Fiber Cement) / swisspor: swisspor and other Swiss building envelope companies offer alternative roofing materials (fiber cement, insulation systems) used in similar Swiss construction projects. Regional player: serves the same Swiss market and overlapping roofing contractor customers, but with a different material category (fiber cement, synthetic) rather than clay.
• ZZ Wancor (Swiss roof systems): Wancor is a Swiss distributor and roof systems provider offering roof tiles, solar solutions, and building envelope products in Switzerland. Regional player: operates in the same Swiss market as Gasser, with overlapping product categories (roof tiles and integrated solar) but as a distributor/system integrator rather than a primary manufacturer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gasser-ceramic8634
• Facebookfacebook.com/gasserceramic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gasser-ceramic-ziegelei-rapperswil-louis-gasser-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/gasserceramic

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Gasser Ceramic