Founder of the Company Jakob Brack
1880
Zurzach 1880, the beginning of the petroleum era – Jakob Brack, pioneer and founder of the company J. Brack, began importing and selling mineral lubricants from Romania. A sensation, as machinery had until then frequently been greased with animal fats and vegetable oils.
1893
The nascent motorisation of society saw Jakob Brack moving with his family to Bahnhofstrasse in Aarau, the capital of the canton, and establishing J. Brack, a sole proprietorship, with the aim of importing oil and trading with coal.
Residence and business premises on Bahnhofstrasse in Aarau
1906
Creation of the Perfectol automotive oil brand. Import of base oils from Pennsylvania, USA. Their chemical composition made these particularly suitable for the manufacture of high-quality engine oils under the Perfectol private label.
1907
Jakob Brack takes a trip with his daughters Hedwig and Bertha Elise in an Opel Motorwagen System Darracq, built in 1903, 2 cylinders, 1.9 litres, 12 metric horsepower.
Taking a trip in the Brack family Opel
Alfred Brack
1909
Alfred Brack takes over management and expands the product range through the addition of cooking oils and fats and floor care products.
1933
Walter Brack joins the business. He establishes the company Oel-Brack AG in 1938 (25.10.1938) and takes charge of the lubricant division. Liquid fuels and combustibles (petroleum, diesel oil and heating oil) later expand the business line. Oel-Brack AG also becomes the official sales partner in Switzerland for Quaker State, the American oil brand.
Walter Brack
First major fire in Aarau
1944
A major blaze occurs in the Bahnhofstrasse warehouse in Aarau.
1946
The mineral oil business boomed as a result of the mobility boost following the Second World War. The premises in Aarau become too confined. The warehouse was moved to Hunzenschwil.
Old business premises in Hunzenschwil
Thomas and Fredi Brack
1979
Fredi Brack joined the business, followed by Thomas Brack 1983. The 4th generation of the family gradually assumes ever greater responsibility in the company, taking charge of management in 1996.
1980
03.09.1980: the worst day in the history of Oel-Brack AG. For the second time in the company's history, a fire breaks out in the production and warehouse building at night. This structure burned down completely, resulting in extensive damage.
Second major fire – Hunzenschwil
1990
Oel-Brack AG becomes a licensee of the American Quaker State brand. Capacities are increased through the construction of new production and warehouse premises. The sales network gradually expands to include an increasing number of European countries.
2001
Oel-Brack AG takes over the activities of the Swiss sales partner of Kendall, the American oil brand.
2004
Shell acquired Quaker State. A completely new private label was created with Midland in 2004 to preserve the autonomy and independence enjoyed as a family business.
2017
Completion and commissioning of the most modern fully automated production plant for lubricants in Switzerland.
Company site and new premises as seen from the A1 motorway