Who we are

    Who we are
    A family-owned company based in the United States and Switzerland
    Founded in 1973, the family-owned Del West celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. And it's a great story, both entrepreneurial and family-oriented.

    Al Sommer, the company's founder, is still actively involved in the business. However, he is gradually handing over the reins to his children. After 25 years in various positions, his son Mark took over the management of the group in 2021. Swiss-born Olivier Conne joined the group in 2007, and since then has headed Del West Europe.
    Our history

    Over 50 years of innovation

    Del West was founded near Los Angeles by Al Sommer, an aerospace engineer. Today, the company has three sites in the USA and one in Switzerland. A world leader in the motor racing sector, it also designs and manufactures high-precision mechanical products for road cars and motorcycles, watchmaking and aerospace.

    Del West creation

    1973
    An aerospace engineer working for the US Defense Department, Al Sommer launched Del West Engineering in the United States.

    The titanium valve

    1988
    The titanium valve becomes the valve of choice for all Formula 1 engine manufacturers. Del West takes off internationally.

    Del West Europe, Switzerland

    1996
    To meet the growing demand from the European racing sector, Del West opens a factory in Switzerland. It is now based in Roche, in the canton of Vaud.

    Road cars and motorcycles

    2000
    In the mid-2000s, Del West began manufacturing parts for high-performance production cars and motorcycles.

    Watchmaking

    2008
    Del West transfers the immense know-how and reservoir of innovation acquired in the automotive sector to the world of watchmaking. Cases and components now adorn luxury watches.

    50 years

    2023
    Today, Del West has four production sites on two continents: three in the United States and one in Switzerland.

    Al Sommer

    Founder and Chairman of the Board
    An insatiable innovator, Al Sommer is the soul of Del West. As much an entrepreneur as a scientist, he combines business acumen with natural curiosity. Pragmatic and demanding, but always ready to embrace the unexpected, he is constantly on the lookout for new materials and new challenges.

    Mark Sommer

    CEO Del West Engineering
    With 25 years' experience within the group, Mark Sommer, a graduate engineer from Northridge, has led Del West since 2021. He has strengthened the company through R&D projects, optimized production and established strategic international partnerships.

    Olivier Conne

    CEO Del West Europe
    An entrepreneurial soul, a go-getter temperament, a strong tendency to think outside the box: Olivier Conne could be "made in the USA". But he's Swiss. Trained at the EPFL and seasoned in the international arena, he relaunched Del West Europe in the midst of the crisis in 2007 and successfully opened it up to the watchmaking market.
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    Jobs

    Are you considering a career at Del West?

    Take a look at our job opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, in the USA and Switzerland. Del West currently employs almost three hundred people in thirty different trades.
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