STIWA US: Construction is advancing at an impressive pace

The STIWA Group's new facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina, is scheduled to be ready for occupancy in December 2024, with mechanical engineering and machining production starting as early as February 2025. Construction is currently advancing at an impressive pace.

 

The foundations have been laid and the first parts of the building are already visible. Construction of the new STIWA factory in Rock Hill is progressing as planned. Work on the interior of the building is due to start this summer. The relocation of employees from the current site in Fort Mill and the start of full production in mechanical engineering and machining is expected in February 2025. A total of 160 employees are expected to work at the new Rock Hill site in this first phase of expansion.

 

A major market for growth
The US economy is still on a roll. Despite the Federal Reserve's tightening of monetary policy, the current economic trend remains positive. The risk of a recession in the US seems to have been averted and the indicators point to a further recovery. "Much will depend on the autumn elections. But we are now used to operating in such uncertain conditions. What matters is our customers' investment plans, and these give us cause for optimism at the moment," says Peter Sticht, CEO STIWA Holding.

STIWA expects demand to increase in the medium and long term, both in machining and in automation. Issues such as a shortage of skilled workers and a lack of production personnel are also playing an increasingly important role in the American market.

 

Major order for the production of the TAM terminal assembly
Since 2016 STIWA is represented in the USA. In the summer of 2023, machining production started in Fort Mill on 400 square metres. The new plant in Rock Hill is another major expansion step for the company.
Customer projects to date have been successful. Following the major order for Motorola last year, STIWA US has now completed two plant projects for a major US electronics group. The second system, for the production of components for sockets and light switches, will be accepted at the end of May. The feedback from the customer has been very positive so far, according to Andreas Prokesch, Managing Director of STIWA US: "Both in terms of the cooperation in advance, the commissioning on site and the quality of the parts produced".

 

Production on track
Machining is also progressing well, attracting new American customers. The high quality of the products and the many years of experience are highly appreciated. The first customer audits have been very positive. Work is already being carried out on a multi-shift basis and the first series projects are in the pipeline. Another positive signal to potential new customers is the prospect of expanding production at the new plant.

 

Site visit by Blum
The expansion of the new US plant is also of interest to existing customers like Blum. A delegation from Blum recently paid a visit to the construction site to find out more about the next steps in the expansion process.