Swiss Stahl Gerlafingen to build continuous rolling line

Swiss long products mill Stahl Gerlafingen will invest a two-digit million Swiss franc amount into the modernisation of its rolling mill, Kallanish has been told by the company.

Stahl Gerlafingen, which belongs to Italian group Beltrame, makes wire rod, rebar and merchant bar. The modernisation of the combined rolling mill will allow for endless rolling of wire rod and rebar, which is not possible with the current equipment. Its replacement is expected to cost CHF 5 million ($5.45m), with additional investment required into as-yet-unspecified work.

According to chief financial officer Lukas Stuber, this product group accounts for 80% of the company’s revenues. After modernisation the mill will be more productive and more energy-efficient, he says.

This will be the first step of a modernisation programme that spans over 2021-2023, Stuber says. This will include the construction of a new hall and the demolition of several dilapidated buildings.