Victorinox Unveils State-of-the-Art European Distribution Center: A Leap Towards Sustainability and Efficiency

Renowned globally for their versatile knives, Victorinox has made a strategic move to centralize its global distribution operations, leading to enhanced process efficiencies.

Now operational, the Victorinox European Distribution Center, situated in Seewen SZ, marks a significant step in Victorinox's storied journey. This centralization effort not only streamlines logistics and processes but also boosts both efficiency and environmental sustainability. Moreover, it underscores the company's dedication to maintaining its roots in Schwyz.

In a historic event for Victorinox in July 2020, the inaugural railcar loaded with Victorinox and Wenger travel products arrived directly at the new facility, emphasizing a major logistical achievement. CEO Carl Elsener highlighted the unique advantage of this rail link from Belgium to the warehouse door, illustrating the company's commitment to sustainable transport solutions.

After comprehensive testing phases covering all operational aspects—from receipt of goods to their dispatch—the European distribution hub is now fully functional. It consolidates what were once seventeen disparate storage facilities across Switzerland and Europe into one.

Spanning three floors with a total volume of 173,000 m^3, the distribution center features cutting-edge automation, including a fully automated small parts storage system and a semi-automated pallet storage area, showcasing the forefront of technological digitalization in logistics. The facility is designed to handle a vast quantity of orders, with the capacity to process up to 115,000 orders or 1.1 million items annually, translating to over 40 million products shipped each year.

A significant investment of approximately CHF 50 million demonstrates Victorinox's unwavering commitment to the Schwyz location, further evidenced by the Swiss manufacturing of the majority of its product lines.

The local community also benefits from this centralization, with noticeable reductions in industrial traffic and improvements in regional logistics efficiency. The establishment of a new rail link, a rooftop photovoltaic system, and electric vehicle charging stations are tangible proof of Victorinox's long-term dedication to environmental stewardship.