50 years of iSi

On May 14, 1964, the foundation for the brand name and logo for today’s iSi Group was laid with the listing of the iSi Metallwarenfabrik GesmbH.

Since then, innovative strength and research have been the factors for success behind our international market leadership in pressurized gas systems. Today, the iSi Group is present worldwide with production and sales facilities, selling products to more than 80 countries. We provide customized solutions for all applications in which compact energy is required in the form of pressurized gas chargers.

Mag. Christian C. Pochtler
Chairman & CEO

History

iSi began as Karl Fischer-Pochtler GmbH. In the early 19th century, it was already producing the first soda machines under the company name Carl Pochtler AG. The CO₂ chargers used for making soda water and the N₂O chargers for creating cream, soups, sauces, and foams make up the core product of the company's Culinary division.

The company is still family-run: Christian C. Pochtler is a direct descendant of the Fischer-Pochtler family. He has successfully led the company into the 21st century with an innovative business strategy.

1865 - 1881

How It All Began
Carl Pochtler, born in 1840, is officially recorded as being a turner and producer of surgical syringes and mechanical instruments in 1867. At this time he also begins producing siphons.
The "Chirurgische Spritzen-Sodawasser-Apparate und Syphon–Fabrik Carl Pochtler" [Surgical Syringes and Soda Water Machines and Siphon Factory Carl Pochtler] produces an extensive range of products. The company receives numerous awards at trade shows and world exhibitions.
In 1878, Carl Pochtler applies for his first patent (Pfropfenhahn).
In 1881, the company relocates to Kaiserstraße 87, in Vienna's 7th municipal district. The company's headquarters remain at this central location until 1975.

1887 - 1922

First Phase of Big Changes
After Carl Pochtler's death in 1887, his daughter, Rosa Fischer-Pochtler, is registered as the owner of the company.
In 1906, Carl Fischer, husband of Rosa Fischer-Pochtler, takes over management of the company.
Carl Fischer-Pochtler's son, Alfred, becomes the managing director in 1916. The company has over 80 employees by this time.

1922

The company changes its legal status to a limited company and is renamed Sodawassermaschinen-, Siphons- & Metallwarenfabrik Carl Pochtler A.G.

1923 – 1930

Various subsidiaries are founded in Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia.

1940 – 1954

Wartime Turmoil and Post-war Era
The company is forced to dissolve in 1940 due to the war, but in 1951 opens its doors once again to resume the production of siphons and CO₂ chargers for household use. Following the death of Alfred Fischer-Pochtler in 1954, his daughter, Marietta Fischer-Pochtler, takes over his shares and the company management together with her husband Hannes.

1959 - present

Entering International Export Markets and Experiencing Growth
In 1959, Heimsyphon Karl Hinz und Co. Ges.m.b.H. is founded.
In 1964, the company Karl Fischer-Pochtler Ges.m.b.H acquires 100% of the shares in the company Heimsyphon Karl Hinz und Co. Ges.m.b.H. and renames it iSi Metallwarenfabrik Ges.m.b.H. This lays the cornerstone for the iSi Group's current brand name and logo.
In 1966, the first iSi disposable chargers for preparing soda water and whipped cream are launched onto the Austrian market. The export of products to various countries, European and non-European alike, then begins.
In 1975, production and administration are relocated to a newly erected factory at Kürschnergasse 4 in Vienna's 21st municipal district. This site is expanded over the next few decades and remains the current headquarters for the entire iSi Group.
In 1978, Christian C. Pochtler (fifth generation descendant of Carl Pochtler) establishes iSi Siphon of America Inc. (now iSi North America Inc.)
In 1984, he takes over all of the company's shares and management and establishes Fischer-Pochtler Holding Ges.m.b.H. (now Pochtler Industrieholding AG). He also takes over iSi GmbH.

1990 - 2000

Ferran Adrià's espuma cooking technique revolutionizes the use of iSi Whippers. 
In 1990, the company Heimsyphon (formerly Heimsyphon Karl Hinz, a subsidiary of BOC) is acquired. The industrial cylinder sector is expanded to form the second pillar of the company.
In 1994, the world's largest high-tech filling center for chargers for iSi's Culinary division is commissioned and a factory for cylinders for the Components sector is built at the Kürschnergasse site.
In 1995, iSi Airbag GmbH, cornerstone of the third business sector, iSi Automotive, is founded. In 2000, iSi Airbag GmbH relocates to the new site on Scheydgasse in Vienna, the current headquarters of iSi Automotive Austria GmbH and iSi Automotive Holding GmbH.

2009 - 2012

iSi Automotive Takes Over the Airbag Business
During the automotive crisis, iSi Automotive takes over Delphi's European airbag business. iSi Automotive Berlin GmbH becomes the design and development center for the Automotive Group.
iSi Automotive Hungary Kft. expands into the textiles and later modular market.
iSi Automotive (Thailand) Ltd. takes on bag production.

iSi strengthens its three divisions, Culinary, Components, and Automotive, through innovation and specialization, as well as through internationalization via its own subsidiaries.

Inspiring Food

We are on a mission to discover new things. Follow uncharted paths and open up new possibilities.

We want to inspire new trends. To re-interpret the taste of food; unusual and strong. To discover what´s inside dishes. To create new paths and uncover new culinary possibilities.

At iSi we are always on the search for new ideas to unite diversity, reliability and creativity. That´s how we think. For 50 years. iSi connects functionality, design and innovation in all our products.

We want to enrich gastronomy. At home and at professional kitchens. Once curiosity has been inspired, creativity starts to work. We all need inspiration.

We are on a mission to discover new things. Follow uncharted paths and open up new possibilities.

iSi Inspiring food.

The iSi System

iSi Chargers and Whippers have been developed as one system.

Their technical details are therefore tailored to work perfectly together. This functional achievement is permanently checked using safety-related tests and quality assessments. The perfect function of your iSi Whipper can only be guaranteed if you exclusively use iSi Chargers with it!

Do not combine your iSi Whipper parts with those from other manufacturers as we cannot provide a guarantee for them. iSi heads are marked on the head and charger holder. iSi bottles are marked on the base. If you bear this in mind, nothing can stand in your way of achieving a perfect culinary result.

High-Tech Inside and Out

Thousands of iSi Whippers and Siphons are used in kitchens around the world every day. But what exactly goes on inside the bottles?

No Foam without Gas.
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) generally dissolves much better in fat than in water meaning that liquids with a high fat content generate a much better foam in a siphon than low-fat liquids. However, fat-free liquids can be foamed using a binding agent. Originally cream siphons were developed for the production of whipped cream, which is an ideal liquid to aerate, due to its high fat content.

A Foam Takes Form…
In an iSi Whipper, soluble gas (usually nitrous oxide, also known as N₂O, enclosed in the iSi Cream Chargers) is released into the liquid to be foamed with the help of pressure. The liquid is released by this pressure in the siphon through the tip, causing the dissolved gas to expand and the liquid to foam — a delicious Espuma is created! The iSi Whippers are technically perfected and are suitable for the preparation of Espumas, finger food, warm and cold sauces, foamed creamy soups, as well as whipped cream and desserts. The whipper bottles and heads are made of high-quality stainless steel, perfectly tailored for professional use in gourmet kitchens worldwide.