Photo Gallery: Zünd Australia celebrates opening of new Australian office

Zünd Australia has officially marked its grand opening and first anniversary with a celebratory event attended by customers, industry partners, and Zünd CEO Oliver Zünd.

The event at the company’s new premises in Melbourne showcased Zünd’s latest digital cutting technology and featured speeches from Dale Hawkins, Managing Director of Zünd Australia, and Oliver Zünd.
Hawkins welcomed guests saying, “This month marks the first anniversary of Zünd Australia. We’re still fairly young—one year old—but Zünd has been present in Australia for much longer. We have customers who have had their machines for over 20 years,” he said.

Hawkins acknowledged the local team's efforts and key partners, including Mazars, which manages finance and HR, and ANZ Bank. He also thanked customers, highlighting their role in Zünd Australia’s growth. “You are our family, friends, partners, and promoters, and we are so grateful for your trust and support,”

A highlight of the evening was the presence of Oliver Zünd, CEO of Zünd, who travelled from Switzerland to attend the event. “This is Oliver’s first time in Australia, and he has made the 22-hour journey from Switzerland to be here tonight,” Hawkins noted.

In his address, Oliver Zünd emphasised the significance of the Australian market in the company’s global strategy. “The launch of Zünd Australia is more than just an expansion—it is a commitment. A commitment to local businesses, the Australian industry, and the future of smart manufacturing,” he said. The crowd was then drawn to Hawkins, who rang a large Swiss cowbell with an engraved message, a gift from Zünd headquarters to mark the showroom's opening and commemorating the first year of trading as an Australian branch.

Adding to the Swiss theme of the evening, were gift bags for attendees that included, Toblerone chocolates, and Zünd branded Swiss Army Knives. 

Zünd also highlighted the company’s dedication to sustainability and efficiency, reinforcing the role of its technology in helping businesses reduce waste and optimise material usage. “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our technology is designed to optimise material usage, reduce waste, and maximise efficiency, helping businesses operate with both economic and environmental responsibility,” he stated.

Following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Zünd Australia formally opened its doors, inviting guests to explore the newly completed showroom, witness live demonstrations of its digital cutting systems, and enjoy some drinks and finger foods.

Reflecting on the first year of operations, Hawkins told Digital Image Magazine, “Over the Christmas period, we finalised our showroom setup, and we now open our doors for demonstrations,” he explained, adding that Zünd Australia started with a small but highly experienced team, many of whom have worked with Zünd products for over 15 years. Hawkins outlined plans for future growth, stating, “All our technicians are factory-trained, and we plan to expand the team in 2025. We are already looking to bring in additional people in the first half of the year and potentially more by the end of 2025.”

Oliver Zünd added his support and reinforced the importance of establishing a direct presence in Australia. “We are very happy to now have a direct presence in Australia. This allows us to better serve the Australian market with our products, factory-trained technicians, and improved service. Dale and his team are very experienced. They obviously know the product and have worked with it for many years. We are excited!” he said.

The event also allowed guests to view the latest cutting technology available at the Zünd Australia showroom. Featured machines included the G3 L-2500 and S3 models, equipped with various cutting tools to demonstrate multiple applications. “These machines are kitted out with everything—all of the tools. Meaning we can demonstrate a vast range of applications in the showroom,” said Hawkins. He highlighted key features such as cradle feeders for managing material, high-powered routers, and overhead cameras for improved accuracy. Hawkins also noted Zünd’s modular approach, allowing customers with older models to upgrade components over time. “A customer might have a model like the G3 or 2500 for, say, 10–12 years, and Zünd may have made some improvements in the operational components, such as the drive. That improved drive is then available for customers with older models to retrofit, thus extending the life of their machines,” he explained.

With the backing of its Swiss headquarters and the support of clients and partners, Zünd Australia says it aims to provide enhanced support, service, and innovative technology to the local market. “We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to growing with our customers and partners,” concluded Oliver Zünd.

L-R Oliver Zund, Pedrag Trajkovic, Daniel Lovic

L-R Matt Ashman, Stuart Gittus

L-R Wayne Hood, Simon Whiteley

L- R Edwin Mallari, Dominic Plutino, Miro Markovic, David Langford, William Berlowitz

L- R Michael George,  Kai Henning

L-R Miro Markevic, Brett Mitchell

L-R Adam Smith, Matt Ashman, Sean Houben