Construction work begins in Dierikon: Komax invests in the future
Media Release
Komax is investing over CHF 70 million in a new-build at its head office in Dierikon and is thus strengthening Switzerland as a business location. The ground-breaking ceremony for this major project was held in mid-August 2017. The new production and office building should be ready for occupancy in the second half of 2019. The new-build will unite the three existing central Swiss sites at a single location in Dierikon.
The participants at the ground-breaking ceremony are delighted that construction work can now start after almost three years of preparation (l-r): Pete Widmer, Construction Economist and Senior Construction Manager, Büro für Bauökonomie; Bruno Amberg, Executive Board, Gebr. Amberg Bauunternehmung AG; Stefan Dellenbach, Senior Consultant Construction Development, Basler & Hoffmann West AG; Thomas Burch, Project Manager new-build Dierikon, Komax; Matijas Meyer, CEO Komax Group; Andreas Wolfisberg, CFO Komax Group, Alexandra Lang, Vice-Chairwoman Dierikon Council; André Amberg, Executive Board, Gebr. Amberg Bauunternehmung AG, Niklaus Graber, Architect, Graber & Steiger.
After a preparatory period lasting almost three years, the ground-breaking ceremony for the Komax new-build took place in Dierikon in mid-August. With floorspace totalling over 20,000 m², the new production and office building will be situated right next to the current buildings and will comprise seven storeys (basement, ground floor and five upper floors). "The fact that a large employer like Komax is going ahead with further investments in the municipality is a vote of confidence for Dierikon as a business location," says Alexandra Lang, Vice-Chairwoman of Dierikon Council.
Fewer journeys, more face-to-face dialogue
The new-build is coming at the right time: owing to the excellent order situation, Komax already reached the limits of its capacity in Switzerland last year. The company was therefore obliged to rent additional premises in Küssnacht am Rigi to supplement the two existing sites in central Switzerland (Dierikon and Rotkreuz). "The new building will encourage inter-divisional, spontaneous dialogue among employees as they will no longer be spread across different sites", says Matijas Meyer, Komax Group CEO. "Numerous trips between the various sites will also be eliminated, thus simplifying logistics."
Vertical factory
“The new Komax building is designed so that each floor can be used for production and administration", explains Niklaus Graber, architect at Graber & Steiger. "Komax is making the best possible use of the available space by opting for high-density construction: it will be getting a vertical factory.” The new-build is set to provide a pleasant working environment as well as being fit for purpose – among other things, it will have an inner courtyard extending upward through all the storeys plus plenty of breakout rooms and areas for encounters.
Visualization of the new-build in Dierikon which should be ready for occupancy in the second half of 2019.
Expansion at Komax SLE and Kabatec
In addition to investing in Switzerland, Komax is also expanding its production capacity at two sites in Germany. So that it can cope with the expected growth in the specialized machinery business, Komax SLE in Grafenau is planning an extension that will greatly increase the available production and office space. A new-build is being planned for Kabatec in Burghaun as demand for bandaging and assembly technology is rising steadily. Both new facilities should be ready for occupation by the end of 2018. Komax will merge the two companies in the field of bandaging technology – Kabatec and Ondal Tape Processing – under the name Kabatec this year. So next year, all the employees will be able to move to the new location together.
