The old machines have been put to secondary use, and the buildings of the old technology center have been demolished, meeting the prerequisites for constructing the new Grain Innovation Center (GIC) at Bühler’s headquarters in Uzwil. The building is scheduled for completion this year, and the new test facility is expected to start operations in the summer of 2024.
The international Bühler Technology Group is building a new Grain Innovation Center at its headquarters in Uzwil, Switzerland. The GIC replaces Bühler’s Technology Center, which was opened some 70 years ago and where newly developed machines are subjected to rigorous testing and trials are conducted for customers. In the first phase, the “old” machines were removed, partially overhauled and put to new uses worldwide over the last few months. “The tried and tested machines and equipment are given a second life,” explains Christian Geser, an experienced milling engineer and project director who is responsible for the new GIC construction. The old buildings were then partially demolished and everything was prepared to start the new construction. By the end of 2023, new parts of the building will be constructed at the historic site and fitted into the existing ensemble. “The interior work and installation of the new test facilities will then begin in January 2024,” Geser continues. “Our goal is to start up the new test facility in summer 2024.
Like the previous technology center, the new GIC will mainly be used to develop, test and scale sustainable and efficient solutions for grain and feed processing together with customers and partners. The goal is to improve yield, quality, energy efficiency and flexibility of the equipment, as well as new recipes based on a wide range of cereals and pulses. In addition, the new GIC Bühler also serves to develop innovative solutions along the entire value chain – from raw materials to finished products.
After commissioning the test facility, the Bühler training center, the Milling Academy incl. SFT, located in the immediate vicinity of the GIC, will also be integrated into the circle of Bühler research and test facilities. In this way, Bühler intends to use further synergies. The relocation of the Training Center is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. During this entire conversion phase, the entire program for customer trials as well as training can continue to be offered in the transitional operation. Please do not hesitate to get in touch, even in this time.