Operations started in October 1989 with a few workers, who ran one shift with a couple of batches each week. Ten years later, there were 32 employees and a large new furnace, with test equipment on its way.
In 2006, a second press line was implemented, which made the plant almost independent of the other SWEP production entities. This also helped the company minimize the impact on the environment thanks to reduced transportation.
Over the years, the plant has gone through a number of improvement programs, including lean manufacturing, tool change optimization and Six Sigma. All these programs have contributed to increased productivity during the past decade.
Today, there are more than 40 employees running permanent three-shift operations and producing about 28,000 heat exchangers per year.
SWEP's D300 BPHE, a major launch during 2009, is produced at the Tentlingen plant. The D700 is already in the pipeline, too.
At the anniversary celebrations, employees, their relatives and other guests enjoyed a traditional Swiss meal called “Menu de bénichon”. The bénichon is a popular feast in the Canton de Fribourg. It celebrates the end of summer and the return of the cows from the mountains.
