To meet a growing demand, the California-based group Maxwell Technologies is planning a 30% expansion of its Rossens site, in the canton of Fribourg. The 2,200-m2 extension will be operational in early 2018. It will house production areas, a logistics area and new testing labs. New employees will be hired at the site, which currently employs 120 people, including some thirty engineers.
Proactive and supportive authorities
The U.S. group has greatly appreciated the administrative support received from the Fribourg authorities in this expansion project: "Our strategy is not to relocate but to expand our activities in the canton. Our positive relations with the Council of State and the economic development office of the canton of Fribourg (PromFR) are key for our development here”, explains Gérard Lopez, General Manager of the Rossens site.
The strong franc is just a detail
The Fribourg site produces each year some 18,000 high-voltage capacitors that are exported all over the world. “When you create a very high added value, the strong franc becomes just a detail”, says Gérard Lopez. “This is the advantage of being a technology leader in a niche market”.
