SWITZERLAND – Bühler has celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its Innovation Campus in Uzwil, Switzerland, an investment that is worth over US$51million.

The completion of the Campus is expected in early 2019, and will represent Bühler’s commitment to innovation and technology, according to the company.

“This innovation campus will reinforce our innovation power and market leadership. It will help us bring together the smartest minds of the industry to create innovations for a better world”, said Stefan Scheiber, CEO of Bühler, at the ground breaking.

The Campus consists of upgraded technology labs and a new innovation building that form the bridge between the engineering and business world in the existing towers and upgraded application labs.

It will also feature an auditorium for around 300 participants for large events, with a media centre and co-working floor with open and secured spaces for over 100 people.

“This building is focused on collaborative innovation,” says Ian Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Bühler. “We are creating a collaborative space for all functions, all ages, and all knowledge holders. It will allow us to live and foster our innovation culture and test future work practices.”

The innovation campus building will draw together Bühler’s network of partners and apprentices who will benefit from a dedicated apprentice centre featuring several rooms.

As part of the upgrade, the Bakery Innovation Centre has been upgraded and is an integral part of the new campus, since it is closely interlinked with the new building.

“This is a unique setting, which I have not seen anywhere else”, says CTO Roberts.

“We are creating a space that brings together visionaries and long-term thinkers of the start-up scene and universities with engineering teams that hold Bühler’s long-standing applied and tested know-how in processing technology. By combining both, we can truly create innovations for a better world.”

The investment shows the company’s commitment to innovation. Each year, the company invests 4-5% of its turnover into research and development.

“This building will help create the space where we can bring together key players in the industry to develop innovations for a better world,” says Stefan Scheiber.