BERNINA and WENGER , two Swiss companies with long and proud traditions, both celebrate their 111th business anniversary this year and have seized the occasion to expand their cooperation. BERNINA now presents the world's first 'Lady's Knife' – a complete sewing tool in smart pocketknife format. The 'ultimate Swiss sewing accessory' combines exceptional BERNINA quality with WENGER's tried-and-tested precision. A 'must-have' for all sewing enthusiasts.

Steckborn, 1 October 2004 – 'It's unfair, if you think about it. Men have their army pocketknives, but what is there for women?' This was the question that Dieter Bachor, Product Manager, and Heinz Janouschek, Design Engineer at the BERNINA sewing machine factory in Steckborn, Thurgau, both posed themselves. BERNINA staff thought long and hard about what might appeal to a woman, and now the tradition-rich family company has come up with a world-first as an answer: 'We'll give them the first pocketknife especially for ladies'.

17 individual tools in one

The practical 'Swiss Sewessential' tool, the 'ultimate Swiss sewing accessory', consists of 17 superbly crafted individual tools, including a special rotary knife, awl and hem-measure. 'The tools can simply be flicked out, like the knives of a normal Swiss army knife', stresses Claude Kottelat, Head of Research and Development at WENGER, adding that the 'multifunction tool' represents a further sophisticated innovation launched by BERNINA. This universal tool encompasses a handful of separate, indispensable tools such as seam ripper, threader, needle inserter and textile marker, together with refills and pin pull-through aid. The tools can be removed from the pocketknife, and are simplicity itself to reinsert. Never has there been less likelihood of misplacing or even losing one of these accessories. And the fact that this exclusive sewing tool is not only practical but chic clinches the Swiss Sewessential's 'must-have' status for all sewing enthusiasts. This practical sewing machine accessory will be available for purchase in all BERNINA stockists from 1 October onwards.

Joint jubilee product

The two family firms of BERNINA and WENGER have been pooling their efforts for the past three years. The Swiss army knife manufacturer supplies BERNINA's sewing machine factory in Thurgau with thread cutters for the artista 200 sewing machine. Since both firms were founded in 1893 and celebrate their 111^th anniversary this year, it seemed like an obvious step to expand their cooperation and develop a joint jubilee product combining the core products of the two companies: BERNINA sewing machine accessories and WENGER's pocketknife housing – 'made in Switzerland' quality times two.

BERNINA – a brief overview

Founded in 1893, the Fritz Gegauf AG BERNINA sewing machine factory in Steckborn, Thurgau canton, is right on track in terms of innovation. The traditional Swiss company, known for its superb quality, has made large investments in the sewing machine sector in particular. With its top-of-the-range model artista 200, BERNINA also set its sights on the leading position in the embroidery sector. BERNINA employs around 400 people in Switzerland. The brand name is international with over 100 agencies on the market. The main sales markets are the USA, Switzerland, Germany and Japan. You'll find further information at www.bernina.com.

WENGER – a brief overview

WENGER, a family firm located in Delémont in the Swiss Jura, was also founded in 1893. The staff of approx. 240 come mainly from this region, a stronghold of precision manufacturing and a hotbed of innovation in the sector. The famous WENGER Swiss pocketknife occupies an important place in the clasp knife range, and in addition to its blades, prized for their quality and durability, boasts substantial functional advantages – in particular, an impressive array of surprisingly handy tools. You'll find more information at www.wenger-knife.ch.

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For further information, please contact:

Roberto Liberato, Fritz Gegauf AG, Bernina Sewing Machine Factory, CH-8266 Steckborn, Switzerland, Tel. ++41 (0)52 762 13 45, Fax ++41 (0)52 762 14 28, E-Mail roberto_liberato@bernina.com