HG Commerciale

HG Commerciale (HGC) is a Swiss building materials retailer and cooperative headquartered in Zurich. Founded in 1899 by ten Zurich master builders as the "Genossenschaft Baumaterialienfabrik Giesshübel," it was renamed in 1905 to "Handelsgenossenschaft des Schweizerischen Baumeisterverbandes SBV." The cooperative is owned by over 3,000 members, primarily companies from the Swiss construction industry and related trades. HGC operates a nationwide distribution network with 46 sales outlets for building materials and 19 showrooms for wall and floor coverings. It employs nearly 1,000 people. As a cooperative, it invests around one million Swiss francs annually in training the next generation of Swiss construction professionals. The company supplies builders, civil engineers, landscapers, drywallers, plasterers, painters, carpenters, roofers, floor layers, tilers, architects, and building owners with a broad and deep range of products including building materials, wall and floor coverings (ceramic tiles, parquet, natural stone, etc.), workwear, protective equipment, tools, machinery, and signage materials. Beyond trading, HGC offers services such as delivery and crane unloading, color mixing, cutting and processing of wood panels and facades, rental of construction machinery, construction site logistics, recycling services, digital services for craftsmen, expert advice, and a modern online shop. The cooperative does not aim for profit maximization but seeks to create optimal conditions for the success of the Swiss construction industry together with its members. Members benefit from preferential interest on capital, revenue rebates, voting rights, and discounted construction guarantee insurance.

HG Commerciale was founded on 26 May 1899, when ten Zurich master builders established the "Genossenschaft Baumaterialienfabrik Giesshübel" and purchased a slag cement factory outside the city. In addition to selling self-produced cement, the young cooperative from the outset focused on a then completely new industry: the purchasing and distribution of industrially manufactured building materials. This marked the birth of professional building materials trading in Switzerland. The success was so great that in 1905 the trading company was officially renamed "Handelsgenossenschaft des Schweizerischen Baumeisterverbandes SBV." As a result, members of the SBV largely invested in their "HG" to benefit from favorable purchasing conditions. This division of labor persists to this day; since summer 2024, the central president of the Baumeisterverband, Gian-Luca Lardi, has also served as chairman of the board of HGC. Today, with nearly 1,000 employees, HGC is one of the most important service providers in the Swiss construction industry. It supplies construction companies of all types and from all parts of Switzerland—including its approximately 3,000 member companies—through 46 sales outlets with a broad range of building materials, including wood, roofing and facade materials, gypsum and drywall products, and even construction tools. In 19 attractive showrooms, it also presents a large selection of wall and floor coverings in ceramic and natural stone, parquet, laminate, and vinyl. Since its founding, HGC has also supported education and training in the main and finishing construction trades with significant financial contributions, giving back to the industry in a sustainable manner.

• 2024

  Gian-Luca Lardi, central president of the Baumeisterverband, became chairman of the board of HGC.

• 1905

  Renamed to Handelsgenossenschaft des Schweizerischen Baumeisterverbandes SBV.

• 1899

  Founded on 26 May as Genossenschaft Baumaterialienfabrik Giesshübel by ten Zurich master builders.

Cooperative building materials retailer serving the Swiss construction industry with a nationwide network and member-focused benefits.

• Building materials

  Broad range including wood, roofing and facade materials, gypsum and drywall products, and tools.

• Wall and floor coverings

  Ceramic tiles, natural stone, parquet, laminate, and vinyl.

• Workwear and protective equipment

  Clothing and safety gear for construction professionals.

• Tools and machinery

  Construction tools and machinery for sale and rental.

1. 1HGC | Baumaterial & Baustoffe schnell & einfach online kaufenhgc.ch
2. 2HG Commerciale - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3HG Commerciale - Wikidatawikidata.org