Waiblingen, 10/5/2021 | Company press release
STIHL chain plant dedicates new entrance building including canteen
The STIHL chain plant in Wil, Switzerland, enhances the appeal of its site and dedicates a new entrance building including company canteen. The investment volume amounted to around 18 million Swiss francs. Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the STIHL Advisory Board and Supervisory Board, spoke warmly at the official inauguration ceremony on October 5, 2021: “We are delighted to see the development here in Wil and Bronschhofen, especially since the chain plant is of tremendous strategic importance for STIHL. That is because in-house production of the entire cutting attachment – the saw chain and the guide bar – in addition to the drive is a competitive advantage that should not be underestimated.”
Joachim Zappe, Managing Director of the STIHL chain plant, said: “With the construction of the new entrance building, we have achieved the goal of further enhancing our appeal as an employer. In the process we have also succeeded in strengthening our production location, particularly important in view of the shortage of specialists and managers, and made it fit for the future.”
An attractive work environment for a successful future
“As the most important employer in the region, construction activity like this demonstrates that STIHL is investing in the future and remaining dynamic,” said Member of the Governing Council Susanne Hartmann, praising the project. Mayor Hans Mäder added: “The new building impresses with advanced, inviting design and a functional and flexible fit-out. Visitors feel instantly welcome, and I firmly believe that staff will also enjoy the inviting atmosphere.”
The new three-story building, Iocated at Hubstraße 100 in Wil, offers around 2,100 square meters of floor space. It includes ample accommodation for the canteen, which includes a seating area on the terrace. The building also contains a reception area, a training room for dealers and visitor groups, modern meeting rooms and offices, as well as a room for the drop-off and collection of young children at the childcare facility at shift changeover time. Sustainability played an important role in the building’s design. The new building is connected to the production building’s heating network, which enables energy-efficient use of the waste heat from the systems. In addition, all roof areas are covered with an eco-friendly, extensive green roof.
STIHL saw chain production as a success factor
The STIHL chain plant has been an important part of the STIHL global manufacturing network for more than 47 years. The saw chains are exported to 160 countries around the world. Steadily growing demand has fueled the constant expansion of the Swiss location in recent years. In 2008, a second chain plant was built in Bronschhofen, which has since been expanded by 10,000 square meters. A new logistics building was built in 2013 and employees have had their own parking block since the beginning of 2018. The STIHL chain plant was founded in 1974, and initially had a workforce of 6. Today over 1,100 employees work at the STIHL chain plants in Wil and Bronschhofen. STIHL is currently the only chainsaw manufacturer in the world which, as well as engine units and guide bars, develops and produces a wide range of saw chains in-house.
