The STIHL chain plant in Wil, Switzerland, is enhancing the appeal of its location and has dedicated a new entry building and company canteen. The investment volume amounted to around 18 million Swiss francs. Dr Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Advisory Board and Supervisory Board at STIHL, said at the official dedication ceremony on 5 October 2021: "We view the development here in Wil and Bronschhofen with great joy, especially since the chain plant is of tremendous strategic importance for STIHL. That is because producing the entire cutting attachment in-house – 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 in Switzerland, said: "By constructing the new entry 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 in light of the shortage of specialists and business leaders, and in equipping it for the future."
Attractive work environment for a successful future
"As the leading employer in the region, STIHL has demonstrated through its construction activity that it is investing in the future and remaining dynamic," said Susanne Hartmann, member of the canton of St. Gallen's governing council. Mayor Hans Mäder adds: "The new building wins people over with modern, inviting design and a functional and flexible interior. Visitors feel instantly welcome, and I firmly believe that staff will also enjoy the inviting atmosphere."
The new three-storey building, located at Hubstrasse 100 in Wil, offers around 2,100 square metres of floor space. It provides ample facilities for the canteen, which includes an outdoor seating area. The rest of the building contains a reception area, a training room for dealers and visitor groups, modern meeting rooms and offices, as well as a room for handing over young children to and from the childcare facility when shifts change. Sustainability played an important role in the building's design and engineering. The new building is connected to the production building's heating system, which will make it possible to efficiently use waste heat from the production facilities as a source of energy. In addition, the entire facility features an extensive, eco-friendly green roof.
STIHL saw chain production as a success factor
The STIHL chain plant has been an important part of STIHL's global manufacturing network for more than 47 years. The saw chains are exported to 160 countries around the world. Steadily growing demand has fuelled the constant expansion of the Swiss location in recent years. In 2008, for example, a second chain plant was established in Bronschhofen that has since been expanded to cover 10,000 square metres. In 2013, a new logistics building was constructed on the site, and staff have had their own multi-storey car park since early 2018. The STIHL chain plant was founded in 1974 and initially employed six workers. 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 that develops and produces a wide range of saw chains in-house in addition to producing the powerhead and guide bars.