THE ROLEX BUILDING AND HIS XXI CENTURY FACTORY

THE ROLEX BUILDING AND HIS XXI CENTURY FACTORY

The Rolex inaugurated on October 16, the new building of its factory in Biel mechanisms.

ROLEX IN A "NEW ERA"

The ceremony was attended by influential personalities of the political and economic spheres, among which the federal councilor Johann Schneider-Ammann, president of the executive council of the canton of Bern, Andreas Rickenbacher, counselor of state of the canton of Bern Hans Stöckli, and the mayor of Bern, Erich Fehr.

After the traditional inaugural ribbon cutting, the brand presented its new production facility workshops, involving craft skills with high added value and ultramodern technology.

The new building is the result of one of the largest industrial construction projects performed in Switzerland in recent years and allows the world's leading luxury timepieces together and streamline its entire production mechanisms in an ultra modern unit of 400 thousand m3 - of which 230 thousand m3 are occupied by the new building - on a total area of ​​92 000 m2.

The outstanding performance of the production unit Biel in terms of productivity, comfort for employees and respect for the environment sets a new standard in watchmaking production, perpetuating the pioneering spirit of Rolex and its constant pursuit of quality.

ROLEX IN A "NEW ERA"

"Starting today, Rolex enters a new era," says Bertrand Gros, president of the Manufacture des Montres Rolex SA .

"The construction of the new building Biel, started in 2009, is the testimony of our unwavering confidence in the future.

Currently, the supply of strategic components is a major challenge for the watch industry, so our units Biel and Geneva form a powerful production complex that ensures complete autonomy, complete freedom to innovate and exercise our creativity, plus a level of excellence up to the demands of the brand. "

The federal councilor Johann Schneider-Ammann, in turn, stressed the importance of Rolex as ambassador for Swiss quality and expertise around the world.

"With a significant investment in its new production facility, Rolex signals that despite the difficult times of the global economy, Switzerland remains a first-class industrial field," he said.

COMPLETE MASTERY OF THE PRODUCTION

The new building Biel is the consolidation of a strategy launched by Rolex for more than ten years in order to integrate and control the manufacturing of all critical components of their watches autonomously - the box mechanism, through the dial and bracelet - in four units constructed or adapted for this purpose: three in Geneva and one in Biel.

Thanks to this strategy forefront, Rolex now has a production tool unparalleled.

INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY

The grouping mechanism in the production of a new production complex helps to increase efficiency and productivity, streamline different manufacturing operations, improve the flow of movement of people and goods, especially thanks to an impressive automated inventory system.

This system is fully robotic and has more than 46,000 storage spaces to store components and finished products safely and quickly route them to the production workshops, thanks to 22 seasons and more than 1.2 kilometers of trails spread over the entire unit.

The architecture refined and rigorous new complex favors the large volumes and a beautiful natural lighting from skylights inspired mechanism.

In addition, the complex features a large panoramic restaurant business and several spaces of rest for employees.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Like all Rolex units, new buildings were designed and built according to the strictest principles of security, integration and compliance with environmental landscape, adopting a philosophy that focuses on sustainable development.

The new buildings are in accordance with the Swiss seal quality Minergie ®, essential for a building of this size.

They stand out for rational use of energy, high performance thermal envelope, the use of renewable energy and advanced integration of industrial processes to building technological systems.

More than 2000 people work in the unit Rolex Biel and more than 4000 in Geneva, where the brand owns its headquarters and manufacturing ensures the other components, and final assembly of their watches.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONS:

SITE:
www.rolex.com