GIS AG - Unlocking growth potential and optimising production

GIS AG has been developing and manufacturing electric chain hoists and complete crane systems for over 60 years. To deliver a major capacity expansion, the company relied on IE Technology’s expertise in strategic planning and execution.

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Expansion of production in inventory.

Project

Feasibility study as general planner; concept and system planning; execution of the extension as general contractor

Client

GIS AG

Key Data

Planning and Execution

IE Technology

Planning and Construction period

24 months

Investment Volume

CHF 7.6 million

Floor area

3328 m²

Building volume

17,870 m³

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Working Together for Project Success

Services provided by IE Group

Building while operations continue
Collaboration on equal footing
A solution built to last
Project certainty through professionalism
Support that goes beyond planning

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“IE Technology managed our expansion project efficiently and transparently throughout all phases and met the requirements for quality, costs and deadlines without any ifs or buts. The cooperation between the teams on both sides was exemplary and effective.”

Ivan Muri

CEO GIS AG

Challenges & Solutions

Project certainty through professionalism

IE Technology acted as general planner and general contractor – from the feasibility study through to turnkey handover. The construction phase lasted just 13 months, with all targets for quality, cost and schedule met without compromise.

Coordination with neighbors

IE Technology actively supported GIS AG during negotiations with the neighbouring property owner and helped develop a mutually acceptable solution – paving the way for the new building.

Building while operations continue

A temporary tent structure for large components, combined with a well-planned phased construction programme, ensured production could continue uninterrupted throughout the 13-month construction period.

Careful evaluation of planning scenarios

In interactive workshops, GIS and IE Technology developed a broad range of solution options and jointly identified the preferred concept. The result combines functionality with an architecturally appealing design.

Optimum connection with existing buildings

The new building was constructed on the footprint of the former “Palahalle”. A continuous ground floor serves as the interface – with a 7.5 m-high assembly hall and a 10 m-long-goods warehouse. A ring-shaped truck access route and a three-storey head building optimise internal logistics.

The Project in Detail

For over 60 years, GIS AG has been developing and manufacturing reliable, durable electric chain hoists as well as complete crane systems for a wide range of applications and industries at its Schötz site in the canton of Lucerne. Continued growth in recent years prompted the company to significantly expand its capacity. For the project’s strategic planning and execution of the project, GIS relied on the expertise and experience of IE Technology.

Modernization in industrial construction — the Challenge

Production capacity could no longer keep pace with steadily increasing demand. Operational structures were ageing, logistics were chronically overloaded, and production and assembly processes no longer met current requirements. Expanding and modernising production therefore became essential.

From feasibility study to commissioning — The Success factors

1. Thorough evaluation across all factory planning scenarios

GIS launched the project with the aim of optimising operating processes based on in-depth analyses and clearly structured planning – and of creating the foundations for future expansion stages. With this in mind, the company appointed industrial construction specialist IE Technology to lead the project and initiate the required planning steps. In interactive workshops, the client teams and IE Technology developed several robust solution variants with ideal flows across the entire production process and logistics chain.

2. Optimal integration with the existing buildings to maximise synergies

Space on the factory site was limited, material flows had to be routed redundantly, and the relatively narrow plot required complex turning manoeuvres for trucks. On IE’s recommendation, the client decided to replace the oldest part of the site with a new building. The new industrial hall was built on the footprint of the former “Palahalle”, enabling seamless integration with the existing buildings.A continuous ground floor was created as an interface for well-designed material flows. A ten-metre-high long-goods warehouse was connected to the 7.5 m-high assembly hall – ensuring a highly efficient assembly process.

3. No production constraints thanks to the right execution strategy

From the outset, GIS and the IE planners were clear that executing the expansion must not create bottlenecks in assembly. Finding an interim storage solution for large components proved challenging – and called for an unconventional approach: components were stored temporarily in a tent structure and remained fully available throughout the construction period. This was made possible by building within the existing facility while operations continued – a core competence of IE Technology – supported by a well-structured phased construction programme.