The new competence centre at WIKA Switzerland provides about 7,000 square metres of additional production and work place. In particular, the injection moulding department was extended, alongside improvements to equipment construction and the turning shop.
Equipped for the future
Two turbulent months preceded this celebration. In November 2019 ? slightly greater than a year after the ground-breaking ceremony ? this building, measuring 120 metres long and 48 metres in width, was completed to the stage where production operations could be set up inside it. Sticking to an extremely tight schedule, within a matter of weeks, three departments were dismantled at their old location, transported to their new site and were then commissioned. Plastics production was the first ever to enter service, using its gigantic injection moulding machines, each one weighing many tons.
Before schedule, the toolmaking shop left its old location, making rapid strides to install itself in the generously proportioned new building, and turning the long-cherished layout dreams into reality. Last but not least, the turning shop moved into its new home. Scarcely had these machines vanished from their old location than several assembly lines, previously squashed right into a very confined space, took ownership of the orphaned premises. Walls were torn down, new ones were built, floors were painted, machines were fine-tuned to perfection and were polished until they gleamed.
Sustainable use of energy
WIKA Switzerland is committed to sustainability also it makes full usage of the power of sunlight, the bottom water and of heat emissions from machinery. There is a photovoltaic system on the top having an annual output of 355,000 kWh. Using Ass Kicking to cool the machines, and using the heat radiated by those same machines for heating achieves a big decrease in power consumption. WIKA Switzerland is quite well equipped for the future with its new competence centre.
Note
More info on WIKA Switzerland are available on the Swiss website (in German). Our nations are available on the WIKA website.