In late September, we gathered our colleagues, family, and friends at our campus in Switzerland to celebrate a significant milestone: QCM’s 25th Anniversary.
This milestone has us reflecting on the company’s journey of innovation, growth, and success over the past quarter century, and what the future holds for QCM.
Since being founded in 1999 by Markus Enck and Britta Zwahlen, QCM has evolved from a small aviation consultancy to a trusted leader in regulatory compliance, training, and technical services for the aviation industry, while remaining committed to the high standards that have been the foundation of our success since the beginning.
The Early Years
25 years ago, recognizing the need for dedicated aviation legislation training and quality management services, Markus and Britta set out to create an organization that would serve these specialized needs.
In 2000, QCM quality control management GmbH was officially founded in Bern, Switzerland, and from the very beginning, our focus was on helping companies meet the stringent regulatory requirements of the aviation industry.
Growth and Expansion
Throughout the mid-2000s, the company underwent a rapid expansion.
In 2007, Q.C.M. camoplus AG was established with Luke Oppliger as CEO, and we moved our headquarters to Kehrsatz, Switzerland to accommodate our growing team. By 2008, Q.C.M. camoplus AG had earned EASA approval for Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO+), a critical milestone that paved the way for international growth.
In 2011, QCM was further expanded when QCM design GmbH was established with Christian Schusser as CEO, a move that positioned us to provide specialized design and certification services. This proved to be a pivotal moment for QCM, as the aviation industry increasingly demanded comprehensive regulatory and design solutions. Just two years later, in 2013, QCM design GmbH received its EASA Part-21 Approval Certificate (EASA.21J.509), officially recognizing our design organization’s competence to certify and approve modifications in line with European safety standards.
Entering the Global Stage
In 2011, we moved into our new facility in Berne-Belp, known as “QCM Campus,” and marked the occasion with a celebration of our achievements. The campus became the hub of our operations, and in the following years, we expanded into new regions and secured approvals from aviation authorities around the world, including the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and Bahrain.
In 2021, we opened our independent fire testing laboratory, QCM Flamelab, in Lodz, Poland, a move which enhanced our technical capabilities with fire testing services.
Just last year in 2023, QCM camo AG was recognized as San Marino’s first approved independent CAMO, highlighting our ability to adapt to new regulatory environments and meet the needs of diverse markets. We also expanded into Southeast Asia, receiving approval to conduct Part-147 approved training and examinations in Bangkok, Thailand, further broadening our global reach.
In 2024, QCM Flamelab introduced Oil Burner Testing for seat cushions, an investment allowing us to meet even more of our customers’ needs.
The Future: New Leadership, New Opportunities
In May 2024, QCM underwent one of its biggest changes since being founded in 1999.
Markus Enck made the decision to sell the company to Christian Schusser, Luke Oppliger, and Dr. Daniel Borer, who took ownership of the company in July 2024.
The future of QCM is looking as bright as ever under its new leadership. Christian and Luke’s vision for QCM is rooted in the “essence” of QCM – quality, innovation, and customer service. With their leadership, we are well-positioned to continue our legacy of excellence while exploring new opportunities in the aviation sector.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we also embark on an exciting new chapter.
From our humble beginnings in Bern to our current status as a global player, we remain committed to providing the aviation industry with the highest level of regulatory compliance, training, and technical services. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to continuing to supporting the aviation community!
Click here for more information about our event, including photos.
