BUHLER, Switzerland — November 8, 2011 — The Eschler Group, which specializes in textiles, is
considering the closure of its sites in Bühler (AR) and Münchwilen (TG). The production of a
massively reduced product range is to be relocated to its existing subsidiary companies in Germany
and Thailand. At the Bühler site, a technology and innovation centre will be created for special
textiles. The planned restructuring of the Group is a consequence of the substantial worsening of
economic conditions in Switzerland.
As the management of the family-run company has announced, the discontinuation of production
in Bühler and Münchwilen will lead to job cuts affecting 75 people. At its plants in Thailand and
Germany, Eschler will increasingly focus on the manufacture of niche products in the fields of
sport, workwear, technical textiles and lingerie. These two sites are to be further developed as
centres of excellence in their specialist fields. The headquarters of the group will remain in
Bühler, where a technology and innovation centre is to be retained with around 15 jobs engaged in
development and research work for future new products.
The planned measures by the Eschler Group are a reaction to developments on which the company
has no influence. For some time, the textile industry has seen quality products replaced by cheap
goods from the Far East, leading to enormous pressure on prices and crumbling margins. These
developments have also left their mark on Eschler. The continuing trend now affects not only the
mass production of low-cost textiles, but also products in the medium to high-end segment. The
strength of the franc has also had the effect of squeezing margins even further and has hugely
compromised the competitive position of Eschler Switzerland with exports accounting for almost 80%
of its business.
The planned optimization of production sites and the focus on highly innovative products is
designed to safeguard the continued success of the company that is so steeped in tradition.The
management firmly believes the planned restructuring can preserve the competitiveness and hence the
know-how of the company.
Posted on November 8, 2011
Source: Christian Eschler AG
