Unilever upgrading Swiss locations

Unilever is investing in its two Swiss locations in the citiy of Schaffhausen and Thayngen, which is also located in the canton of Schaffhausen. In the city of Schaffhausen, a Unilever Hub is being created out of the centrally located company building. According to a press release issued by the UK firm, this means that an “ultra-modern working world” will be built and furnished by the end of the year for the global functions of Treasury and Procurement in addition to more localized departments including Marketing, Sales, Finance, HR, Legal and Supply Chain. The new concept also includes a flexible working time model, with employees able to freely decide whether they plan to work from home, on a mobile basis or from the newly redesigned office space.

Essentially all Knorr products for the Swiss retail sector will continue to be produced at the Thayngen site in the canton of Schaffhausen. The space freed up by the relocation of the national company will be converted into a Foods Competence Center. Unilever is planning to house start-ups and research institutions around the traditional factory, which is commonly known as "Knorri". “In this way, for example, an ecosystem related to the topics of nutrition and food production will be created at the Thayngen location with 'Knorri' at its heart”, the press release explains.

“I am delighted about this major step towards making Unilever fit for the future in Switzerland”, comments Thierry Mousseigne, General Manager of Unilever Switzerland, on the plans for Thayngen and Schaffhausen. Christoph Schärrer from the unit for regional development of the Canton of Schaffhausen is convinced that the transformation of the Thayngen site into a Foods Competence Center will strengthen the location over the long term and presents new opportunities in the food technology sector.

For Dino Tamagni, member of the Cantonal Council of Schaffhausen and Head of the cantonal Department for Economic Affairs, these investments show that “the canton of Schaffhausen offers attractive framework conditions and prospects for production, innovation and global activities”