Audemars Piguet (AP) has inaugurated the Arc, a new manufacturing facility in its hometown of Le Brassus in the Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. The Arc “brings together local production teams under one roof, reaffirming the brand’s continued investment in the Vallée de Joux. Designed with flexibility, comfort, and sustainability in mind, the Minergie-ECO® certified building supports the brand’s long-term ambitions and propels it into the future.”
Key Features
Designed by Giuli & Portier – a Geneva based architectural firm, and built by Alpenda SA – the Arc took three years to complete.
Its facade has a length of 321 metres, and a surface area of 23,700 m².
It will accommodate 700 employees, “offering a pleasant working environment characterised by open space and natural light. Transparent partitions and ample meeting rooms encourage communication and idea-sharing between teams, while dedicated quiet zones and traditional offices allow for focus and privacy, allowing individuals to choose the environment that suits them best.”
It features a state-of-the-art centralised storage system “designed to streamline stock management and improve efficiency. Making optimal use of limited space, this GTP (Goods-to-Person) system uses shuttles to deliver components and parts to the appropriate workshops. Standing 15 metres high and fitted with 66 robots, this automated tool can perform up to 350 movements per hour (1,200 by 2030).”
It is built as per sustainable standards. Similar to AP’s existing Le Locle and Meyrin production sites, “the Arc is Minergie-ECO® certified, meeting the highest ecological standards for buildings in Switzerland. From the outset, the project was developed with the aim of limiting its impact on the environment.” The ARC benefits from several “advanced energy efficiency” solutions.
What do we think?
Founded in 1875, independently owned Audemars Piguet is among the most prestigious names in watchmaking. Together with Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, AP is part of the prestigious Holy Trinity. The Royal Oak is one of the most sought-after watch collections in the world.
Last year AP acquired a majority stake in Inhotec SA (based in Le Locle, Switzerland), a renowned company that specialises in micromechanics and precision machining. Founded in March 2011, Inhotec has been a key supplier to AP for years. Moves like this illustrate the importance of vertical integration for watch brands; thereby eliminating the risk that a competitor might do the same and cut off supply of vital components to other brands (happens in the watch industry). Independently owned Patek Philippe and Rolex have also followed a similar path.
Along with vertical integration, the Arc brings together AP’s considerable technical expertise and production under one roof. It will help ensure that AP is able to maintain its independence and remain at the cutting edge of haute horology in the years to come.
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