(PRWEB via PR Web Direct) June 1, 2005 -- Frédérique Constant, a company that specializes in making Swiss watches, celebrated its "first stone setting" ceremony for its new headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Genève. The ceremony, which took place at the company's new site, featured a speech by owners and founders Peter Stas and Aletta Stas-Bax and their son, Pieter-Jan Constant Stas. Guests included Mr. Carlo Lamprecht, Councillor of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and Mr. Michel Favre, Secretary-General of Plan-les-Ouates.
“ Our plans, including the recent acquisition of the Alpina watch brand (www. ”
During the ceremony, Mr. Stas announced that his son, Pieter-Jan Constant, would be setting specially selected items in the excavation on the main floor of what will be the new Frédérique Constant headquarters. Pieter-Jan Constant, who carries the “Constant” name as fifth descendent of Constant Stas, placed the following items in the excavation: one of the first prototypes of the FC-910 Manufacture Caliber and a copy of the business plan that has been the base of the success of the Swiss watch company.
With the strong growth of the company, Frédérique Constant (www.frederique-constant.com) has been looking for new premises since October 2003. In Genève Canton, the final conclusion was that constructing a new building was the most cost-efficient solution. After having completed the procedures to obtain the building permit, construction started immediately.
The project began in Autumn 2003, and the actual construction of the building began in late February 2005. The Swiss watch company is expected to move into the building by October 2005, and the expected completion date is Nov. 1, 2005. Mr. Stas says the company will strongly invest in new people and equipment. He says that in the short term, the company plans to hire 25-35 new people, bringing the total for the company to 70 persons.
The new headquarters will be the fourth location of Frédérique Constant in the past eight years. Before 1997, the company was located in an old farm in Troinex. In 1997, it moved to Carouge, which again became quickly too small and since 2000, it has been located on the fourth floor of a commercial building in Chêne-Bourg. By the end of 2003, it became clear that these premises would also become too small to accommodate a larger production.
“Clearly, this new factory in Plan-les-Ouates will enable us to better organize development and production of our calibres and watches,” said Mr. Stas.
The factory will house a total work and storage space of 3,200 square meters divided over four floors. The top floor will house management and support staff and the third floor will house the atelier. On the fourth floor, amongst other facilities, a 200 square meters conference room is planned to invite customers for presentations and training. Other relevant features are the two main conference rooms, the cafeteria and fitness room.
"While Frédérique Constant is heavily investing in this new building, the company will remain 100 percent committed to continue the successful strategy of offering Swiss Made watches with passion at sensible prices," Mr. Stas said. "With the slogan 'Live your passion,' we will continue development and production of exciting new collections. Our plans, including the recent acquisition of the Alpina watch brand (www.alpina-watches.com), give us strong confidence that we can continue our growth in the future."
Additional background information about the new Frédérique Constant building:
Total surface terrain: 6500 m²
Number of floors: 4
Total floor space: 3200 m²
Number of conference rooms: 3
Different specialisations: Calibre design and assembly
Number of departments: 6
Types of departments: Sales, Marketing, R & D, Production, Logistics, S.A.V.
Capacity: 70 employees short term, 100 employees mid term
1 Fitness room
2 Dressing rooms
1 Cafeteria with outside terrace
Private parking
Elevator
About Frédérique Constant:
Frédérique Constant (www.frederique-constant.com) is a family business. During the past 10 years, Frédérique Constant has consistently grown 25 – 30 percent per year. Last year, the company grew over 34 percent compared to 2003. In 2004, Frédérique Constant produced over 43,000 Swiss watches. Frédérique Constant is involved in all phases of watch making, from initial design to final assembly. All watches are therefore 100 percent Swiss made. Frédérique Constant introduced its first manufacture caliber in 2004. The Swiss watches with this caliber have been received with great enthusiasm. In Basel, the company recently introduced a new version of this caliber, the Heart Beat Manufacture Moon phase Date. The company is currently developing additional versions of its Manufacture caliber.
Contact:
Jan-Douwe Gaastra – Communication Manager
Frédérique Constant S.A.
Rue Peillonnex 39
Chêne-Bourg
CH-1225 Geneve
Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-860-0440
Fax: +41-22-860-0464
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www.frederique-constant.com/press
