GF Piping Systems' factory in Seewis (Switzerland), celebrates its 50^th anniversary as a high-tech plastic valve and actuator manufacturer. The team has pioneered many firsts, transforming and sustainably leading the plastic valve industry.

What started as an idea during a foggy day at the edge of the forest in 1967 is today an almost fully automated injection-molding site, hosting 170 team members in GF Piping Systems' flagship valve and actuator producing facility.

Thanks to the great progress in manufacturing technologies, automation, and robotization since its inauguration in March 1971, the company continues to produce to the highest quality standards, providing highly skilled jobs in automation and information technology, plastics technology, and polymechanics to the surrounding community.

"In our 50^th anniversary year, the innovations made in Seewis continue to set a benchmark for our industry and showcase the capabilities of the people of Graubünden, that is the secret ingredient behind the factory's success," says Andreas Pauli, Head of Plant Seewis for GF Piping Systems. "The pioneering NeoFlow pressure regulating valve (PRV), developed to support utilities in fighting leakage and water losses, and the all-plastic Butterfly Valve 565 that will help to revolution the water treatment market; as a cost-effective, corrosion-free lightweight alternative to metal are great examples."

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary, the Seewis plant entrance has been redesigned, ready for the return of post-covid customer visits and maybe one or the other new talent from the region. GF is proud to support, among them, Graubünden's star, World Champion freestyle skier and GF ambassador Andri Ragettli.

Find out more about one of the most modern GF Piping Systems factories in the world, its employees, and products  www.gfps.com/seewis

50 years of innovation power and Swiss quality

It all started back in 1967, when Giuseppe Kaiser, then Chairman of the Board of Directors of Georg Fischer, and Dr. Ulrich Gadient, Member of the Council of States for the Canton Graubünden, got together on that foggy morning. The two of them came up with the idea of promoting the economy in the mountainous canton of Graubünden.

The factory in Seewis started its first production with 30 employees to supply the emerging European Free Trade Association (EFTA) markets. Officially inaugurated on 30 September 1971, within the first year, the two ball valves 340 and 342 are first produced in Seewis.

With the Ball Valve Type 346 in 1984, GF Piping Systems set new standards for product diversity. The ball valve is installed radially with real screw connections and offered in various materials and connection options. It is easy to maintain and the first of the x46 series. In February 1994, component assembly of the Ball Valve Type 346 commenced; other types followed.

A pilot project was launched for certification according to the new environmental standard ISO14001
In 1996, the Seewis location received the international environmental certificate according to EN14001.

With the launch of the Ball Valve 546 in 2003, GF Piping Systems introduced another innovative product that combined the latest technological findings with over 40 years of GF Piping Systems plastic piping know-how.