The new competence centre at WIKA Switzerland provides about 7,000 square metres of additional production and office space. Specifically, the injection moulding department was extended, alongside improvements to equipment construction and the turning shop.
Equipped for future years
Two turbulent months preceded this celebration. In November 2019 ? slightly greater than a year following the ground-breaking ceremony ? this building, measuring 120 metres in length and 48 metres in width, was completed to the point where production operations could possibly be set up in it. Sticking to an extremely tight schedule, within a matter of weeks, three departments were dismantled at their old location, transported with their new site and were then commissioned. Plastics production was the first 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 set up itself in the generously proportioned new building, and turning the long-cherished layout dreams into reality. Finally, 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 these 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 focused on sustainability and it makes full usage of the power of the sun, the ground water and of heat emissions from machinery. There is a photovoltaic system on the top with an annual output of 355,000 kWh. Using ground water to cool the machines, and utilizing the heat radiated by those same machines for heating achieves a big decrease in power consumption. Grounded is very well equipped for the future using its new competence centre.
Note
Further information on WIKA Switzerland can be found on the Swiss website (in German). Our international locations can be found on the WIKA website.