sia Abrasives is investing about CHF 50 million in a new facility for manufacturing coated abrasives. After taking over sia Abrasives in December 2008, the Bosch Group already agreed in principle to the new factory building. The past months have been spent on incorporating Bosch know-how into the planning of the building and equipment. Now the construction project in Frauenfeld can go ahead. The next step will be to begin the procedure to obtain a building permit. It is planned to cut the first turf for the new building in spring 2010.

With this new manufacturing facility for coated abrasives, sia Abrasives intends to set the stage for sustainable growth, while ensuring its technological lead. “And that’s despite the economic crisis”, says CEO Roland Eberle. “We want to position ourselves to be ready for the next upswing.” The support that Bosch, as the new owner of sia Abrasives, is giving to the project is a clear sign of sustainable expansion at the Frauenfeld production site. This decision cements sia Abrasives’ position as the global competence centre for abrasives. The new factory building will be constructed on the sia Abrasives site between Mühlewiesenstrasse and the motorway.

For further information	sia Abrasives Holding AG, Frauenfeld
	Roland Eberle, CEO, Tel. +41 52 724 43 58

About the sia Group
Headquartered in Frauenfeld, sia Abrasives has maintained its position as the third largest supplier of flexible abrasives for years. It develops, manufactures and markets complete abrasive systems tailored to specific requirements and applications for surface preparation and finishing of all kinds. This commitment has made abrasive processes into true surface technologies. sia Abrasives is a member of the Power Tools Division of Robert Bosch GmbH and generates more than 90% of its sales outside Switzerland with a workforce of some 1,200 employees worldwide.