With an investment in the double-digit million range, the production capacity of the subsidiary Westfalen Gas Schweiz (WGS) will nearly double in the future. WGS primarily supplies medium-sized customers in Switzerland with gases for the beverage and pharmaceutical industries, for laboratory and medical use, as well as for welding and cutting applications.
"In recent years, Eiken has developed into an important location within our international industrial gas business. With the expansion, we are laying the foundation for further growth in Switzerland and simultaneously strengthening our European network," said Thomas Perkmann, CEO of the Westfalen Group, during the groundbreaking for the plant expansion. "The investment is an important milestone for the further expansion of our European business."
Westfalen Gas Schweiz was founded 25 years ago. Ten years later, the filling plant in Eiken commenced operations. For WGS Managing Director Tony Moes, the expansion is also a special anniversary: "Being able to link the plant expansion with our 25th anniversary makes this day special for us." The growth in Switzerland is primarily the result of the great commitment of the employees, added the Westfalen manager. They have ensured that the company has developed over the past 25 years into what it is today. Moes: "With the plant expansion, we are getting one step closer to our goal of becoming the preferred industrial gas partner for medium-sized businesses in Switzerland."
The Westfalen Group supplies around 40,000 commercial customers across Europe with industrial gases, filling approximately 2.2 million bottles annually at eleven sites in four countries. Further investments are planned in Europe beyond Switzerland. "We are consistently driving growth in our core European markets, and we are currently building another filling site in the southwest of France," said Perkmann.