More than six months after production ceased in the Vetropack plant in St Prex, Switzerland, a new operating phase is beginning for many of the production machines.
Between Tuesday and Thursday, February 25 to 27, the ten-section AIS 211 machine and the twelve-section AIS 214 machine, along with all accessories, were transported to Italy for dismantling and repair. The transportation was carried out by truck. Vetropack plans to reinstall the AIS 211 machine at the Nemšová, Slovakia, site and the AIS 214 machine in Kremsmünster, Austria, in the near future. The remaining two production machines in St Prex are expected to be sold to another company shortly.
For the remaining employees in St Prex, the removal of the machines marks a further chapter in a painful process that began last spring. “We associate many memories with the machines. The dismantling, which also took place in difficult external conditions, such as low temperatures, is anything but easy for us,” said Production Supervisor Jose-Maria Cipriano. “However, I am pleased that a new use has been found for the machines.”
Purchasing and logistics are coordinating the transport – a particularly challenging administrative task. “Machine transport involves extensive bureaucratic processes that a small team must manage,” explained Site Manager Christian Schmutz. “Under these circumstances, we have achieved a great deal in a short time.”
Vetropack remains committed to safely dismantling the production facilities and providing its employees with the best possible support.