R&M Achieves Another Milestone
R&M Begins Construction of New Production, Logistics, Innovation and Development Premises in Switzerland to Support the Company’s Impressive Growth
Reichle & De-Massari (R&M) the Swiss specialist suppliers of passive cabling solutions for communication networks is investing in a new company building as a means of supporting current and future growth. The symbolic first cut of the spade took place in May 2008, at which senior management gave the green light for the start of building work. The new building will accommodate the present production facilities as this will enable the company to increase the efficiency of its processes. The building is being constructed according to low energy guidelines.
Where their regional HQ expansion in Dubai last year is concerned, R&M also launched the first R&M academy in the region outside Switzerland last year, and has continued to experience strong growth in the Middle East market for the third consecutive year. The Middle East was the fastest-growing sales region for R&M with recorded sales increased by 90 percent in the last year. R&M has a particularly strong track record in the MEA in the government services, finance and telco sectors.
As part of R&M’s policy of internationalization where three-quarters of its sales is generated from international markets, R&M has recently opened a new branch in London. The company now has offices in 29 countries around the globe. The office, in the center of London, was officially inaugurated on 24 April 2008 where a number of projects have already been implemented in Europe’s key financial center.
International expansion, with the inauguration of new office premises in London further endorses the company’s growth and strong outlook all thanks to the high quality of cabling solutions generally associated with Swiss engineering and backed up by solid investment in R&D. With further increase in production capacity, new jobs will be created in the short and medium term as the company continues to pursue its strategy of consistent growth.
The new premises in Switzerland will enable R&M to be more efficient with its processes, in particular, in the logistics domain. The building, with a gross floor area of 16,000m2 distributed over five levels, will accommodate the production, logistics, innovation and development segments as well as product management. The cube-shaped building is also connected to a fully automated high-bay warehouse with a capacity for more than 4500 pallets.
The commercial building is being constructed according to low energy guidelines. In the context of sustainability, operating and maintenance costs can be kept to a minimum, at the same time relieving pressure on sources of energy. The building should be ready for occupation at the end of 2009.
Facts & figures
Reichle & De-Massari AG (R&M) develop and produce cabling solutions for communication networks. With high quality copper and fiber optic cable products, R&M has gained the reputation as a leader for quality. The company dominates the Swiss market and has founded subsidiaries or representative offices in 29 countries. 75% of the company’s sales are generated abroad. Turnover in 2007 was CHF 241 million with an EBIT of 13 percent. Each year, R&M invests more than CHF 7 million in research and development and has a workforce of roughly 700. The company is fully owned by the Reichle family and is managed as an independent family business by the second generation. Text and illustration can be downloaded by visiting www.rdm.com
