Success with Swiss Values 1
The greatest appreciation for our work, is the trust we enjoy from our customers Kronospan Switzerland Ltd is a leading International Supplier, and the only Swiss manufacturer, of laminate flooring and decorative wood products for furniture, kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms and interior design. Our customers distributors, manufactures, architects, designers and private end users all over the world rely on the very high standards of our Kronoswiss branded products. Their complete trust and confidence is based on the consistent implementation of typical Swiss values throughout our company. In all our activities we focus on a comprehensive Quality awareness. In particular, reliable customer service, and the design, development and manufacture of marketable products. Motivated employees and modern technologies make it all possible. We take our responsibilities very seriously, and achieve them through innovative and sustainable production of Kronoswiss products. We are convinced that organic products will contribute both to the conservation of resources and a better quality of life. Swissness Quality Service Ecology Our surrounding world 2 Innovation 3
Contents S w i s s n e s s Switzerland and Kronoswiss Two of a kind Page 7 Q u a l i t y Enthusiasm for our work is the best guarantee of quality Page 9 S e rv i c e Understanding our customers allows us to service them better Page 10 E c o l o g y Conserving our precious resources, and the reduction of CO 2 Page 15 The Cycle of Nature is our core value Page 16 O u r s u r r o u n d i n g w o r l d People are at the center of our activities Page 19 I n n o vat i o n Innovations are our investment Page 20 Experience and vision Page 22
S w i s s n e s s Switzerland and Kronoswiss Two of a kind For all Kronoswiss products: Where it says Switzerland, it must be made in Switzerland. The label, Source of origin «Swiss wood» declares the preferred use of local wood for the production of our chips and fibers. We use fresh wood from the forests and waste wood products like sawdust, and Sawmill off-cuts. When buying wood, we rely on the «FSC label» to ensure that the timber is from Forests with an environmentally and socially sustainable management system. Whenever possible, we source our raw materials from the immediate surroundings. Travelling shorter distances reduces our Carbon Footprint and supports the local suppliers. We are proud to have permission to use the «Swiss Crossbow» Logo. This is awarded only under strict criteria, and stands for the typical Swiss characteristics of precision and reliability; it guarantees top quality and a desire for innovation. As well as our traditional values, Switzerland and Kronospan Switzerland Ltd share a strong environmental and health consciousness culture. This can be best seen in our excellent resource utilisation and very modern production methods, resulting in only the best quality products. 6 7
Q u a l i t y Enthusiasm for our work is the best guarantee of quality True Quality is created by a cycle of continuous improvements, and requires constant attention and passion for the work. Our certified Quality Management System confirms the performance of our employees. We are implementing quality in everything that we do. Our Marketing and Sales team work constantly to meet and lead the market demands and trends. The research and development department are always working on solutions that are tailored around those needs. Kronoswiss products are always made from high quality raw materials and produced and delivered in a thoroughly planned system of operations. With our efficient and effective process and systems, we ensure fast, safe and reliable deliveries, at the desired time. Fully traceable, and with every step, we ensure that the services provided comply with the ever increasing expectations of our customers. In addition, all of our products fully meet the relevant levels required by the Industry standards. These tests are usually carried out and certified by external test institutes. These certificates are the visible result of our quality aspirations. Only an ecologically produced, technically sound, durable and easy to maintain product, deserves the right to wear our high quality Kronoswiss brand. Certified System 9 ISO 9001
S e rv i c e Understanding our customers allows us to service them better Being close to our customers, in addition to our sustainable top quality Swiss products, is one of our key competitive advantages. Our employees have many years of experience in the wood industry; they are flexible and happy to give advice, before, during and after all purchases. So, together, successful solutions can be realised. Our broad and well-rounded assortment of ex-stock products, and the sophisticated logistics concept that ensures safe, exact and timely delivery, is an unbeatable proposition. With short deadlines, we serve our customers promptly and reliably around the clock, around the world. Decorative wood products and laminate flooring, in a variety of colors and finishes, including related accessories, are available in individual quantities and sizes. 10 11
E c o l o g y Conserving our precious resources, and the reduction of CO 2 Kronospan Switzerland Ltd focuses on resource efficiency and sustainable energy supply. It is an ingenious concept, as the material and energy flows from one to another. This reduces CO ² emissions and improves the recoverable value of wood. As a wood processing company, we subscribe to the cascade strategy, the timber circle. The products are made from virgin wood; the required energy is produced from recycled wood and has replaced the use of fossil energy. Together with partners, customers and suppliers, we operate a recycling concept to make this circuit ideal for wood. Thus, after product shipments to customers, used furniture can to returned to us on the same vehicle, to avoid unnecessary transportation. Fully functional since the spring of 2010, the Biomass energy center complements the existing infrastructure to produce renewable, CO ² - free energy. We therefore make an important contribution to the national goal of reducing greenhouse gases leading to a healthier climate. The environmental performance of products made by Kronoswiss is excellent. Compared with similar Factories, our CO ² emissions per unit of production are around ten times smaller a result of our corporate strategy: optimised material flow short distances, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. 14 Certified System 15 I S O 1 4 0 0 1
E c o l o g y The Cycle of Nature is our core value Ecology is a basic principal that effects all our decisions. Projects effecting our infrastructure and logistics are planned long term and always include the local authorities, environmental organisations and our neighborhood community. With the certification of our environmental management system we have implemented a tool to optimize resource use continuously. All raw materials are recycled as much as possible. Only after comprehensive recycling are the leftover items converted into energy. The processes to deal with all these materials at Kronospan Switzerland Ltd follow the natural cycle. Energy flows can be used several times due to recovery of this energy. In the metabolism, we recycle everything that is not used in the product. Central and long-term measures have priority in our organic production. With targeted investments in modern technologies for energy production, air purification and rail logistics, we constantly improve the environmental effect of our action based on closed circuit concepts. sustainable forest management 16 fuel for the central biomass generator C0 2 Energy Forest Recycling Products Eco-officent resource utilisation pre-prepared raw materials 17
O u r s u r r o u n d i n g w o r l d People are at the center of our activities Our employees are central to our daily performance. With their passion and their ideas they are constantly changing and improving Kronospan Switzerland Ltd. We are proud of our top-motivated, highly skilled and loyal workforce. We offer our employees a good working climate, fair pay and promote their services through targeted training and longterm career planning. Kronospan Switzerland Ltd is a reliable partner for the local region. In the heart of Switzerland, in Canton Lucerne, Menznau, we enjoy a close and friendly relationship with our immediate and extended neighbours. We take them and their opinions in our decisions very seriously. Open communication with the local authorities, working closely with colleges and institutes as well as regular contributions to local culture are just as natural for us as preserving the rural character of Menznau. 18 19
I n n o vat i o n Innovations are our investment We see ourselves as pioneers who make the seemingly impossible, possible. To ensure our continued success, we are investing today, in the solutions of tomorrow. Sustainable products with new surface textures and designs give a new feel and look to the exciting combinations of products that we produce daily. Using the latest technologies and latest production methods, we develop new products that meet the diverse needs of our customers. Shared and systematic information flows within the Swiss Krono Group to ensure the mutual know-how transfer utilises all of our synergies. Ten plants are working around the clock, around the world to ensure enough capacity is available in all of our product lines. Our Pioneering spirit and our passion for our work, together with our traditional Swiss values create a wealth of knowledge. New ideas lead to the solutions we need to succeed in the future. a worldwide network of ten Factories 20 21
Experience and vision Our product Ranges are developed on the basis of extensive market research, and the newest technologies available. The work is done with enthusiasm which ensures its success. With unique color and texture combinations, we are aesthetically totally in tune with the times. Kronospan Switzerland Ltd is a modern and forward thinking organization. We don t stop at the production site in Menznau, Switzerland. Our responsibility and commitment towards nature, the region and its people, is uncompromising. As entrepreneurs and educators, we are investing steadily in the future. The most modern production equipment and highly trained staff will continue to be our most important assets. 22 K R O N O L O G Y 1966 Foundation of the company as a Corporation in the wood industry 1969 Production of raw particle boards 1974 Production of decorative boards 1976 Start of cutting service 1985 Name changed to Kronospan AG 1986 Production of impregnated papers 1992 Production of specialized thin particleboard 1996 Production of Laminate Flooring 1999 Production of MDF / HDF 2002 Opening of Direct Printing system 2004 Name changed to Kronospan Switzerland Ltd 2010 Commissioning of Biomass energy center N u m e r o l o g y 450 staff 450 000 m³ annual production of particleboard (60 rail cars per day) 250 000 m³ of MDF / HDF board annual production (35 rail cars per day) 220 000 000 m² impregnated paper annual production (100 football fields per day) 30 000 000 m² Laminate Flooring annual production (15 football fields per day) 11 000 000 m² painted plates annual production (5 football fields per day) 23
E-110111_1 printed on FSC -certified natural paper Kronospan Switzerland Ltd agentur-frontal.ch Kronospan Switzerland Ltd Willisauerstrasse 37 CH-6122 Menznau Phone +41 41 494 94 94 Fax +41 41 494 94 49 www.kronospan.com info@kronospan.ch Member of