NOVA WERKE AG was founded in Zurich in 1921. The employees ground cylinders and crankshafts in a small workshop. What began modestly bore fruit after a few years: pistons and piston rings for combustion engines made NOVA WERKE AG famous far beyond the country's borders.

In March 1970, NOVA WERKE AG moved to Effretikon (ZH). At practically the same time, the company diversified into new areas with a high technological content. The focus of specialization: the "high-pressure technology" business area with components, systems and equipment for high-pressure applications up to 10,000 bar. The "Diesel Components" and "Surface Technology" divisions developed alongside this. NOVA WERKE AG has combined the services and processes of these three product lines under the Nova Swiss label and registered the brand.