A Growing Business
In 1887, Wilhelm Heinrich Diethelm purchased a majority shareholding in Hooglandt & Co., Singapore, and Edward Anton Keller acquired his employer’s company, Lutz & Co. of Manila in the Philippines. With dedication to their respective companies as well as the deep knowledge of their markets and customers, the two entrepreneurs steadily developed strong ties with international business partners.
Diversification, together with a policy of reinvesting profit, provided a solid basis for their companies’ continuous growth. Diethelm & Co. Ltd and Edward Keller Ltd had the foresight to tap into the potential offered by their extensive networks throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas, and to combine it with their core competencies.
Key Milestones
1860's
In the late 1860s, two young Swiss pioneers, Wilhelm Heinrich Diethelm and Edward Anton Keller, ventured to the Far East, to start their new exciting businesses.
1919
Cole & Mason was founded in London, United Kingdom. Acquired in 2006 by what is today DK Household Brands.
1951
Zyliss was founded by Karl Zysett in Lizz, Switzerland. Acquired in 1984 by what is today DK Household Brands.
1983
Swissmar was founded in Toronto, Canada by Daniel Oehy. DK Household Brands Holding AG acquired 60% in 2020. Today Swissmar Ltd is the distribution company of the DK Household Brands group in Canada, as well as a brand the group distributes globally.
1984
The company expanded its portfolio by acquiring Zyliss, founded in Switzerland in 1951.
Zyliss is a manufacturer of manual kitchen tools and appliances.
2006
Diethelm Keller Group clustered its household brands, Zyliss, Koenig and Turmix under the newly founded DKB Household Ltd, and extended its brand portfolio to include the brands Cole & Mason and Culinare.
2019
Diethelm Keller Group acquired a majority stake in AdHoc Entwicklung und Vertrieh, established in 1995 in Mannheim, Germany. AdHoc develops, designs and manufactures lifestyle products for kitchen and dining.
The company also acquired Brandlands GmbH, a German distributer, in charge of the distribution of Zyliss, Cole & Mason and Culinare products in Germany and Austria. Today DK Household Brands GmbH, the Germany-based distribution company acting across most of Europe
2020
The company further strengthened its leading position in household brands globally, investing in Swissmar, a brand and distributor of house and cookware, based in Canada and the US.
2021
DK Household Brands Holding AG increased its stake in AdHoc Entwicklung and Vertrieb to 100%.
2024
A unified DK Household Brands was formed under the holding group DK Household Brands Holding AG after having successfully integrated their six distinguished brands, including the recent acquisitions of AdHoc, Swissmar, and Brandlands.
This strategic merger included refreshed company naming and branding.
