How It All Began: From Window Hinges to a Legend
The story of the USM brand (short for Ulrich Schärer Münsingen) began in 1885 in the small Swiss town of Münsingen, near Bern. Founder Ulrich Schärer opened a family-run locksmith and metalworking shop, which in its early decades specialized in window hardware and hinges.
A major turning point came in the early 1960s. In 1961, the founder’s grandson, engineer Paul Schärer Jr., took over the company. As a great admirer of modern industrial architecture (e.g., Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier), he decided to modernize the family business from the ground up. He commissioned the renowned Swiss architect Fritz Haller to design a new, highly flexible factory and office building based on a modular steel system.
The new building was stunning, but there simply wasn’t any furniture on the market that would match its industrial elegance and adapt to the company’s changing needs. And so , in 1962, Schärer and Haller joined forces and developed the USM Haller furniture system —originally intended solely for their own offices.
The architecturally clean system attracted so much attention from visitors to the company that mass production began as early as 1969. It was launched by a massive order for 600 workstations for the Paris-based Rothschild bank.
The Secret to Its Success: An Ingenious Ball and Steel
What makes USM Haller so exceptional? It is the famous “form follows function” philosophy brought to absolute perfection. The entire system is not based on predefined pieces of furniture, but on three basic elements that together offer unlimited design possibilities.
Connecting Ball The heart of the entire system, patented in 1965. It is a chrome-plated brass ball with six threaded holes for connecting tubes in all directions.
Support Tubes Precisely milled, chrome-plated steel tubes. They screw directly into the ball and form an incredibly strong and stable framework.
Filler Panels Powder-coated steel panels that are inserted into the frame. They are available in 14 iconic colors and in either perforated or solid versions.
The beauty of the system is that you can take any configuration apart, reconfigure it, or expand it at any time—with the latter being the most common option. A minimalist TV stand can be transformed into a bookshelf in a few years, or it can become storage for a child’s room. USM furniture grows and changes throughout your life.
A status symbol you can use to build anything
Having USM in your home is a status symbol. It’s not just “another cabinet”—it’s an investment in cutting-edge design and uncompromising Swiss craftsmanship. USM Haller is an expression of good taste and a reflection of your appreciation for things that have true lasting value and a deep story.
Although the system is renowned for its magnificent bookcases and shelving units, its strength also lies in standalone pieces. USM can serve as an absolute focal point in any interior, whether you place a work of art on it or simply a cup of coffee. With its iconic tubes and balls, you can create not only massive sets but also breathtaking smaller pieces—from minimalist nightstands and side tables to elegant TV stands, coffee tables, and practical storage boxes on wheels.
Design That Breathes for the Planet
However, the USM brand impresses not only with its iconic look but also with its absolutely uncompromising approach to sustainability, rooted in the philosophy “Rethink, redesign, revalue.” In an era of disposable “fast furniture,” USM is something of a revelation—you’re not buying a piece for just a few years, but an investment that is passed down from generation to generation. This minimizes waste and reduces the environmental footprint.
Furthermore, production still takes place exclusively in Münsingen, Switzerland, where the panels are painted using paints that are completely free of solvents and heavy metals. It’s no wonder that the USM Haller system boasts the prestigious Cradle to Cradle® environmental certification as well as Greenguard certification , which guarantees that the furniture releases no harmful chemicals into the indoor environment and helps maintain clean air.
Why does the world love USM so much?
Today, the USM brand has showrooms from Paris to New York, and the USM Haller system can be found in the most prestigious offices, boutiques, and luxury private residences around the world. But what made it famous?
It’s an official work of art: In 1988, the system was officially recognized in Germany as a work of applied art. Its status as a design icon was then definitively confirmed when it was added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in 2001.
Extreme durability: Premium steel and a flawless finish ensure that this furniture is virtually indestructible and is commonly passed down from generation to generation. Furthermore, the brand aims to achieve full circularity by 2030.
An Investment in Timelessness: The system’s appearance hasn’t changed since the 1960s, because perfect design simply never goes out of style. It will always look modern.
You can choose from a wide selection of USM standalone furniture pieces in our e-shop, and we would be happy to help and advise you on configuring larger sets. You can also use the configurator on the USM.com website.
