Diamond SA

Diamond SA is a Swiss manufacturer of high-precision fiber optic components and assemblies, headquartered in Losone, Switzerland. Founded in 1958 in Locarno, the company began as a specialist in the precision machining of ultra-hard materials such as ruby, sapphire, tungsten carbide, and diamond, producing phonograph styli and industrial bearing stones. In 1979, at the request of the Swiss postal, telephone and telegraph authority (PPT), Diamond entered the fiber optics industry, and by 1980 it was producing its first series of high-precision fiber optic connectors. The company is best known as the inventor of the E-2000® connector, developed in 1992, which became a global standard in fiber connectivity. Diamond SA designs, manufactures, and assembles fiber optic connectors, ferrules, and custom assemblies for demanding applications. Its proprietary two-component ferrule design, featuring a titanium insert and zirconia sleeve, enables Active Core Alignment (ACA), a patented process that minimizes core eccentricity to less than 0.125 μm. The company holds more than 70 patents and trademarks, including E-2000®, F-3000®, and AVIM®. Its products serve telecommunications, photonics, aerospace, medical technology, industrial and harsh-environment applications, and semiconductor and quantum technology. Diamond operates from a 13,500 m² headquarters in Losone that houses R&D, manufacturing, and assembly under one roof, including ISO 5–ISO 7 cleanrooms and an in-house accredited testing and calibration laboratory certified to STS 333 / SCS 101. The company maintains full vertical integration, with capabilities in ceramic CIP/CIM, metal machining, and plastic molding. It has a subsidiary in Germany (DIAMOND GmbH), a U.S. subsidiary (DIAMOND USA Inc.), and an affiliated company, mvt Micro-Verschleiss-Technik. Diamond SA is owner-managed and serves customers worldwide through selected partners. After rapid growth in the telecom boom — reaching 1,550 employees worldwide and CHF 145 million in revenue in 2001 — the company experienced a sharp decline, with revenue falling to CHF 45 million by 2004. It has since repositioned around high-precision, high-performance fiber optic solutions and Swiss-made innovation, investing in new infrastructure and advanced technologies.

Diamond SA was founded in 1958 in Locarno, Switzerland, as a specialist in the precision machining of ultra-hard materials such as ruby, sapphire, tungsten carbide, and diamond. In its early years, the company produced phonograph styli (turntable needles) and industrial bearing stones, where exceptional accuracy and durability were essential. This mastery of micron-level tolerances laid the groundwork for its future technological leadership. The quartz crisis of the 1970s and the introduction of the compact disc player led to a decline in demand for phonograph styli, forcing the company to diversify. In 1979, at the request of the Swiss postal, telephone and telegraph authority (PPT), Diamond entered the fiber optics industry, applying its precision engineering expertise to develop high-performance components. By 1980, it had manufactured its first series of high-precision fiber optic connectors. The success with polycrystalline diamond tools and components formed the basis for systematically expanding its know-how and production experience in precision mechanics. In 1992, a small team of engineers developed and designed the E-2000® fiber optic connector, based on the existing DIN connector but with an integrated protective cap, a push-pull mechanism, and mechanical coding, made from high-quality plastic. The E-2000® became a global standard in fiber connectivity. In 1993, Diamond SA achieved revenue of around CHF 40 million. In its best year, 2001, the company had 1,550 employees worldwide, of whom 960 were in Switzerland, and generated revenue of CHF 145 million. By 2004, revenue had fallen to CHF 45 million. Today, Diamond SA is headquartered in Losone, Switzerland, where its 13,500 m² facility houses R&D, manufacturing, and assembly under one roof, maintaining full vertical integration. The company operates through legally independent subsidiaries: DIAMOND GmbH in Germany, DIAMOND USA Inc. in the United States, and mvt Micro-Verschleiss-Technik, which handle operational business. Diamond SA itself serves as the holding company, performing management, strategy, and control functions. It holds over 70 patents and trademarks, including E-2000®, F-3000®, and AVIM®. The company has been ISO 9001 certified since 1994 and ISO 14001 certified since 1998. It maintains an accredited testing and calibration laboratory certified to STS 333 / SCS 101.

• 2004

  Revenue declined to CHF 45 million.

• 2001

  Peak year: 1,550 employees worldwide and CHF 145 million in revenue.

• 1998

  Certified according to ISO 14001.

• 1994

  Certified according to ISO 9001.

• 1993

  Achieved revenue of around CHF 40 million.

• 1992

  Developed and designed the E-2000® fiber optic connector.

• 1980

  Manufactured its first series of high-precision fiber optic connectors.

• 1979

  Entered the fiber optics industry at the request of the Swiss PPT.

• 1958

  Founded in Locarno, Switzerland, as a specialist in precision machining of ultra-hard materials.

High-performance, Swiss-made precision fiber optic solutions with full vertical integration and patented technologies.

• E-2000® connector

  Fiber optic connector invented by Diamond in 1992, featuring an integrated protective cap, push-pull mechanism, and mechanical coding.

• F-3000® connector

  Fiber optic connector trademarked by Diamond.

• AVIM® connector

  Fiber optic connector trademarked by Diamond.

• Two-component ferrule with titanium insert and zirconia sleeve

  Proprietary ferrule design enabling Active Core Alignment (ACA), crafted to IEC 61755-3-7/8 standards.

1. 1Fiber Optic Solutions for High-Performance | Diamond SAdiamond-fo.com
2. 2DIAMOND – Precision Fiber Optic Solutions | Swiss-Made Excellencediamond-fo.com
3. 3Swiss High-Precision Fiber Optic Products | DIAMOND SAdiamond-fo.com
4. 4About DIAMOND SA – Fiber Optic Excellence Since 1980diamond-fo.com
5. 5Diamond SAwikidata.org
6. 6Diamond SAde.wikipedia.org