In 1904, Conrad Forster Willi founded the embroidery company Forster Willi & Co. in St. Gallen. At the time, the city was one of the world's leading centres of embroidery, and embroidery was Switzerland's most important export industry. This remarkable heritage continues to shape the identity of the Forster Group to this day.

In 1944, the second generation, led by Willi Forster, carried the family’s embroidery tradition forward while introducing new ideas and innovations. Despite material shortages and challenging market conditions, the Swiss embroidery industry demonstrated remarkable resilience and continued to innovate, laying the groundwork for the post-war revival.

In 1988, Forster Willi & Co. AG acquired the Swiss textile company Jacob Rohner AG, which had established a strong reputation for its embroidery products in the lingerie market. The gradual integration of the two companies expanded the product portfolio and brought together the complementary strengths of both businesses.

In 1994, the Forster Group established its wholly owned production facility, Forster Rohner (Suzhou) Embroidery Co., Ltd., in Suzhou, China. This early investment in international manufacturing laid the foundation for the Group’s global production network. Today, the Suzhou facility remains a cornerstone of its international manufacturing operations.

In 2006, Tobias Forster became the first non-French recipient of the title Créateur de l’Année, presented by the Mayor of Paris. The award recognises outstanding creativity, innovation, and influence in the world of fashion. It reflects Tobias Forster’s exceptional contribution to international fashion and the art of embroidery.

In 2008, Prada, under the creative direction of Miuccia Prada, launched the iconic Volute Guipure collection featuring embroideries by Forster Willi. The collection sparked a renewed international interest in Guipure embroidery, set new standards in contemporary fashion, and helped revive the embroidery industry worldwide.

In 2009, Forster Rohner Textile Innovations was founded. Today, the company operates under the name FRTI, developing and manufacturing intelligent textiles for the medical, industrial, mobility, and occupational safety sectors. By combining textile expertise with advanced electronics and sensor technology, FRTI is shaping the next generation of functional textiles.

In 2016, Jakob Schlaepfer AG in St. Gallen joined the Forster Group. Founded in 1904, the internationally recognised company further strengthened the Group’s portfolio with its expertise in innovative textiles, material development, and visionary design.

In 2022, the Forster Group began operations at its wholly owned production facility, Jiangsu Forster Rohner Textile Technology Co., Ltd. As its second production site in China, the facility increased the Group’s embroidery capacity by around 50 percent and, together with its state-of-the-art finishing plant, further strengthened its fully integrated manufacturing capabilities in China.

In 2024, the Forster Group celebrated its 120th anniversary with the inaugural Inspiration Day. More than 1,200 reserved tickets reflected the strong interest in the worlds of embroidery, fashion, and high technology. Visitors enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the Group’s diverse businesses, where long-standing craftsmanship meets continuous innovation.

In 2025, BIONTEC began operations at its wholly owned production facility, Bionic Composite Technologies (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., in China. The new site strengthened the company’s international manufacturing network, expanded its presence in the Chinese market, and created additional capacity for the serial production of advanced composite solutions.