Modern Watchmaking Today in Switzerland Reshoring and Automating Manufacturing
Tony Arquisch CPA Group SA / Business Development Manager
Industrial Park
Commercial Companies
High Tech-Incubator
CPA Group Since 1999, developing and providing industrial components and capital equipment for the Swiss watchmaking industry
Industrial Components Capital Equipment
Switzerland
Switzerland
RoW
RoW
Sources : FH et Vontobel Luxury Goods Shop 2014
Swiss Watch Industry Key Figures
Swiss Exports in 2013 / 28,1 million watches (China and HK, respectively 634,4 million and 331,5 million)
Average price of a watch: $ 791 for a
Swiss watch $ 3 for a Chinese watch 95% of the watches which are sold for
over $1000 in the world are produced in Switzerland
Number of watches
Share in value
2013 Market Share (in Value) of the Key Watch Manufacturers
Swiss Watch Industry Key Figures
Source : Vontobel Luxury Goods Shop 2014
Swiss Watch Industry Key Figures
Manufacturing of Components for Swiss Watches (Offshoring) Countries who supplied components for Swiss Watches 2012 Switzerland imported (value in brackets) million Swiss Francs
In 2012, components imports exceeded 2.1 billion Swiss Francs (1.5 billion from Asia)
Bands Cases Dials
Movements Other parts
Source: Federal Custom Administration, Credit Suisse
General Trends Reshoring
The Swiss watch industry is reshoring their manufacturing activities for several reasons:
The quality «Swiss Made» label
Unknown labor costs increase in Asia
Intellectual Property
General Trends Reshoring
To be able to use the «Swiss Made» label 60% of manufacturing costs have to be done in Switzerland. The large brands have started to move (manual) lines from Asia to Switzerland.
Lines can not be 1 to 1 transferred (costs, labor force)
Manual processes need to be performed by Robots and other
Automated tools
High-end, automated systems and breakthrough technology has been implemented and is constantly being developed
Production Solutions …Automating to Date Manual Processes
Bulk / Sorting / Palletizing in Tubing Ruby Stones
Production Solutions …Automating to Date Manual Processes
Pick and Place of Appliqué Indicators on a Watch Face
Production Solutions …Automating to Date Manual Processes
Pick and Place Watch Components on Finishing Fixture
Production Solutions …Automating to Date Manual Processes
Pick and Place of Ruby Stones (0.9 x 0.2 x 0.2mm)
Production Solutions …Automating to Date Manual Processes
Automated aesthetic inspection of the components
Production Solutions …Implementing New Technologies
Laser Seam Welding of Watch Bracelet
Production Solutions …Implementing New Technologies
Laser Engraving the Brand Name in Watch Housing
Conclusion
Manual Process are being and will continue to be Automated Todays watchmaker can concentrate on workmanship and
on processes that should not be automated due to costs. Modern technology, robotic equipment, self learning
inspection software and automation are here to assist the craftsman watch maker.
Tony Arquisch Business Development Manager CPA GROUP SA Villaz-St-Pierre, Fribourg Switzerland Telephone: +41 26 653 71 84 Email: [email protected]
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