Updated: Netstal realigns Näfels machine manufacturing operations

Rotary parts manufacturing has already been discontinued at the site, which manufactured its first injection molding machine in 1945. Located in the Canton of Glarus, the 72,000-sq-m site had housed production and assembly facilities, as well as development, design, marketing, administration, customer service, training, and application technology facilities.

Going forward, the company said it envisions Näfels becoming a center of excellence for fast-cycling premium products, saying the move was a "structural realignment to strengthen international competitiveness."

Netstal CEO Hans Ulrich Golz told PlasticsToday that there will be an impact on staffing in Näfels, but would not indicate how many people will be affected. "Personnel changes will be implemented in a socially compatible manner," Golz said, "with a limited number of enforced redundancies."

As part of the realignment, Research & Development, Sales, Systems and Application Engineering, Final Assembly and Service will remain in Näfels site and be expanded, the company said. An example of the expansion: Netstal said KraussMaffei's PETForm product portfolio will be moved from Munich to Näfels so that all PET-related technology areas will be concentrated in Näfels going forward.

Golz said that ultimately the impact on capacity at the plant will be determined by several factors. "[Capacity] depends on the upcoming demand for our products," Golz said. "We are starting a product and innovation offensive this autumn, and we expect growth for Netstal."

Netstal originated in 1857 as the Iron & Brass Foundry Ulrich Rietmann & Cie. in Netstal, Switzerland. In 1945, Netstal sold its first injection molding machine and, shortly after that, began construction of the machine works in Näfels where the headquarters are located today. Netstal has been a member of KraussMaffei Group since 1992.

One year ago, private equity firm Onex acquired the KraussMaffei Group, including Netstal, from Madison Capital Partners for Euro 568 million. Before that deal, and since, the company has reorganized its structure, combining what had formerly been separate brand operations in places like the U.S., Brazil, and China.