TOPPING OUT CEREMONY FOR NEW MERISHAUSEN MANUFACTURING CENTRE
Schaffhausen, 5 May 2017 – IWC Schaffhausen has celebrated the completion of the major structural work at its new production and technology centre with a topping out ceremony, where, according to tradition, the work of those involved in the construction was acknowledged. From next October, the production departments for cases and parts for movements will be gradually relocating to Merishausertal, along with the department where the movements for IWC-manufactured calibres are assembled.
The new building will create space for the production of both existing and new IWC-manufactured movements, including the 69000-calibre family. Equipped with the latest production technology, it will deliver the highest possible level of quality and precision and help to ensure that the luxury watch manufacturer from Schaffhausen continues to experience global growth.
The strategic expansion of our in-house movement expertise is a priority for us, so I am delighted that everything is going according to plan. The biggest ever investment in the history of our company is not only a clear commitment to Schaffhausen as our location, but it also underlines our firm belief in the future of the high-quality mechanical watches that we have been manufacturing here for almost 150 years – watches that have made the name of this city famous throughout the world
CUTTING- EDGE PRODUCTION METHODS
First and foremost, the new building with a total floor area of 13,500 square meters presents an opportunity to bring together production areas that were previously spread out across different locations and thus to further optimize the existing production process workflows and structures. The company is also creating room for further growth with the new space.
At the new location, we are combining centuries-old watchmaking expertise with cutting-edge production methods and innovative technologies. In this way, we are ensuring that our mechanical watches maintain a high quality in the long term and that the products manufactured in Schaffhausen still have a competitive edge in the international market
Once construction is complete, the Merishausen site will provide workspace for around 400 skilled employees. Along with around a hundred craftsmen, the topping out ceremony was also attended by numerous high-profile representatives from the world of politics and business. The production departments for cases and parts for movements which are still located in Neuhausen will be relocated to the new building from October 2017. Then in January, the movement assembly department will be moving from Baumgartenstrasse in Schaffhausen’s old town to Merishausen. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for June 2018, along with an open day for the people of Schaffhausen. The events promise to be one of the highlights of IWC’s 150th anniversary year.
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of Haute Horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.