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 50th 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 50th 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.
Seven years later, in 2010, GF Piping Systems pioneers the first all-plastic diaphragm valve series that doubles flow production technology, the new generation of diaphragm valve 5 Series.
By adding pressure regulating valves in 2014, GF Piping Systems expands its portfolio with a new type of valve. Thanks to a sophisticated, patented cartridge design, the unique plastic PRVs 582 and 586 are flexible and easy to maintain.
In 2018 the first Smart Actuator left the production, rounding off the company’s complete system offer and proving GF Piping Systems is ready for digitization.The smart version of the standard drive enables easier visual inspections and is configured, controlled, and diagnosis via an app, saving operators time and costs in maintenance.
Sixteen years since its introduction, in 2019, GF Piping Systems launched the redesigned Ball Valve 546 Pro. The new generation of a classic, with lockable lever, data matrix code, and modular design as standard, ensured the ball valve was fit for the future.
Latest innovations – made in Seewis, Switzerland
- Butterfly Valve 565 – beats metal in every round.
Butterfly valves made of plastic have already proven superior to metal butterfly valves in almost every respect, thanks to higher corrosion resistance and lighter weight. Now GF Piping Systems launched a new generation that also beats metal in terms of cost-effectiveness.
“We’re extremely proud of the continuing standards of quality and innovation that our Seewis team can deliver,” confirms Thomas Kuessner, Head of Valves for GF Piping Systems. “The new highly-reliable Butterfly Valve 565 is another fine example. Produced according to our high Swiss quality standards in Seewis and it is the best choice for optimizing piping systems built for water applications and a wide range of other applications.”
This new generation of valves comes at a significantly lower initial cost. It will save even more thanks to its lower static weight, requiring less energy for operation and transportation. Installing the Butterfly Valve 565 is quick and easy, and thanks to its extremely high durability, it will be almost maintenance-free during its long service life.
- NeoFlow Pressure Regulating Valve (PRV) – protects networks from water losses.
NeoFlow protects pipe networks in water distribution against excess pressure, reduces leakages and pipe bursts to ensure water utilities enjoy more sustainable water management. The state-of-the-art pressure management technology delivers accurate, stable flow and increased flow capacity for utilities.
