About - TKE

Our Mission

To develop robust and sustainable solutions for the energy sector through commitment and creative thinking.

Executive Management

Rudolf Tresch

Founder, MD Egliswil

In 1980, Ruedi began his journey as an apprentice at ABB, studying at night while working by day. After earning a mechanical engineering degree from ISZ (now ZHAW), he advanced to lead a development team in the steam turbine sector. Co-founding Tresch+Kieliger 35 years ago with Joe marked the start of Ruedi’s entrepreneurial path, where he excels in solving complex problems and delivering effective solutions.

Joe Kieliger

Founder, MD Rapperswil

Joe is our Managing Director in Rapperswil, Switzerland. With a background in design and engineering, Joe has led the company since 1992, showing expertise in mechanical design across industries. He has worked in leadership roles in Japan and the USA with Sulzer Inc. His skills include process engineering, textile and food processing equipment design, gearless lifts, pressure vessels, and more. Known for innovative solutions, Joe is dedicated to excellence.

Project Management

Lucien Favey

Calculation Engineer

Lucien holds a degree in mechanical engineering from ZHAW and started his professional career at Sulzer in the weaving technology department as a development engineer. Later he took on challenges at Zühlke Group and Itema Ltd., leading calculation teams with lots of success and gained a tremendous amount of expertise in the field of finite element analyses.

Adrian Glauser

Engineering Manager

Adrian is a mechanical engineering graduate from FHNW, specializing in energy technology. With 19 years of experience in the gas turbine industry at Alstom and Ansaldo Energia, he contributed to the integration of innovative burner technologies and damping devices in the Alstom gas turbine fleet and tested new combustors globally. Currently at Tresch+Kieliger, he focuses on the infrastructure of combustion test rigs.

Xaver Widmer

Project Manager

Xaver holds a degree in mechanical engineering from ZHAW and started directly at Tresch+Kieliger in 2022 as a project manager, having previously worked as a design engineer in the food process industy.

Mike Rüfenacht

Project Manager

Driven by an enduring fascination for engines, Mike pursued his academic journey in automotive engineering at BFH. Immediately transitioning to a role with a racing team post-graduation, he has acquired substantial expertise in the details of combustion processes.

Staff

Andreas Altwegg

Technician

Since 2002, Andreas has been a vital part of Tresch+Kieliger’s R&D department, contributing to diverse projects including large gearboxes and burner test benches. He holds a Technician HF degree in mechanical engineering.

Ingrid Schmidt

Design Engineer

Ingrid was the first employee of Tresch+Kieliger. She joined in 1993 as a design engineer. In addition to the design of pressure vessels, Ingrid has worked in a wide variety of areas such as conveyor and sorting systems, the development of gearboxes and systems for the food industry. Designing combustion test benches is her passion.

Tanja Tresch

Administration

Tanja supports the Egliswil team in administration, glows with positivity and creates a welcoming atmosphere. With her background in art and dance education, she brings a vibrant creativity to everything she touches.

Irene Göldi

Design Engineer

Irene has been an indispensable member of the team for over 25 years. She is known for her flexibility and vast experience in various projects from across different industries.

Erika Boiteux

Mechanical Engineer

Erika studied mechanical engineering at FHNW. She has worked at Tresch+Kieliger in Egliswil for 15 years. Erika is well versed in various CAD programs and has a wealth of experience in the design of combustion test benches and high-temperature applications.

Melvyn Steybe

Technician

Melvyn began his career with us in 2022. After completing his apprenticeship as a design engineer, he graduated from a technical college for mechanical engineering. At Tresch+Kieliger, Melvyn works on combustion test benches for various customers.

Stefanie Hänni

Design Engineer

Stefanie is working in the R&D department since 2020 and is involved in various projects. She completed an apprenticeship as a design engineer and has been studying mechanical engineering part-time since 2021, which we support and promote.

You?

Our Partners

Founded in 1990 by the legendary mechanic Urs Dössegger, MAD Mech AG specializes in providing a comprehensive range of manufacturing and commissioning services. With their broad expertise in prototyping, we are able to cover the entire spectrum of our customers’ requirements.

For more than 25 years, Hitz PPP AG has been a key partner in manufacturing consulting and fine mechanics. They specialize in producing our special equipment like optical, emission and laser sheet probes, traverse equipment and more, ensuring top-notch quality across all aspects of our products.

MM Ingenieure specializes in FEA and CFD simulations and serves as our programming partner for their ADVDiN framework. Backed by Dr. Florian Mittermayer, a distinguished professor at Kempten University in the fields of Thermodynamics, we receive robust support for our most challenging endeavours.

Partnering closely with EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, has been invaluable for our latest Innosuisse projects. We rely on their expertise in material research, especially in the use of ceramic materials.

A History of Innovation

1989

Early days

Founded by Rudolf Tresch and Joe Kieliger, seasoned professionals from ABB’s steam turbine department and Sulzer Textile, respectively, our company embarked on a visionary journey. The inaugural venture focused on pioneering advanced technology, specifically developing a state-of-the-art professional microwave for the renowned company Tafiwave.

1991

Combustion chambers

Entering a transformative phase, Tresch + Kieliger initiated the development of combustion rigs for ABB EOS, the ABB Research Centre. This collaboration not only showcased our proficiency in advancing combustion technology but also solidified a strategic partnership with ABB.

2000

Textile Industry

Collaborating with Sulzer Textile and other industry leaders, we delved into the textile sector, engineering intricate machines for weaving, thus expanding our footprint in diverse industrial domains.

2001

Food Industry

Our foray into the food industry witnessed the development of mixers, steamers, and extruder parts, including a pressure plate for Bühler Group. This marked a pivotal step in providing innovative solutions to the food processing sector.

2004

Gears and other Heavy Machinery

In collaboration with Maag Gears, we embarked on a development journey focused on marine gearboxes and heavy-duty drives for both civil and military applications. This strategic partnership underscored our commitment to providing robust engineering solutions.

2005

Medical Implants

Diversifying into healthcare, Tresch + Kieliger contributed to the medical field by developing a new generation of spinal cord implants and insertion tools for Synthes Inc., demonstrating our versatility in addressing diverse technological challenges.

2010

Focus on Test Rigs

A strategic decision in 2010 led us to shift our focus to high-pressure and high-temperature environments, resulting in collaborative rig development with the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT) at ETH Zürich, laying the foundation for cutting-edge testing solutions.

2019

Synthetic fuels

Venturing into sustainable energy solutions, we have embraced the production of synthetic fuels trough renewable syngas (CO+H2) from water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane. Our efforts include the design and manufacturing of a torch for the company Caphenia, aiming to revolutionize the transition from fossil to renewable fuels, showcasing our commitment to environmental responsibility and technological innovation.