Katadyn Bucks Trend, Chooses Manual Labor Over Automation

Nov. 6, 2009
Portable water treatment manufacturer reduces supply and logistics costs by maximizing workforce.

Switzerland's portable water treatment manufacturer Katadyn is taking an unconventional route to its manufacturing processes.

More than 80 years ago, a Swiss professor named Georg Alexander Krause figured out how to harness the disinfectant qualities of silver and began creating portable water purification units. The company he started, Katadyn, has since grabbed a dominant share of the water treatment market serving hikers, campers and the marine industry.

But in a tour earlier last week, Katadyn's chairman Adrian Schmassmann explained how the companys manufacturing follows a highly unusual model. Instead of out-sourcing much of its manufacturing needs to a supplier network, Katadyn has instead taken over an increasingly larger share of producing its own components. Moreover, it builds these supplies almost exclusively through manual trade, foregoing the use of robots or automation in its production.

"True, it's an unusual setup," says Schmassmann, "but it's also been extremely successful for us."

Schmassmann says Katadyn has been able to refine its production needs and control its processes. As one example, the portable water treatment manufacturer was able to cut its plastic supplies by 60%, while reducing logistics costs by 30%.

Cutting costs isn't the only benefit. According to Schmassmann, Katadyn has produced a more sophisticated workforce.

"They've become more motivated because we require them to learn more skills," says Schmassmann. "You're asking them to do more and weve challenged them."

Katadyn has a workforce of 100 employees, with annual sales of about CHF 40 million (US$39.1 million). About 40% of Katadyns global sales come from the U.S. -- a market which has doubled in just the last eight years.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!