Pressefach: Gebr. Schmid GmbH

Gebr. Schmid opens new research center (TCS) at headquarters in Freudenstadt

TCS Hall I

(PresseBox) Freudenstadt, 12.07.2007, Just how indispensable research and development are when it comes to asserting one's position in the global market, has been clearly demonstrated by Gebr. Schmid for decades in their everyday practise. As a natural consequence of their persistent endeavours, the plant construction company has put their own research centre for the solar cell and PCB fields at their headquarters in Freudenstadt into operation: together with more than 300 customers and cooperation partners, framed by lectures by experts and presentations, the offical inauguration took place on 12th July. A total sum of 15 mio. EUR has been invested in the building and equipment, on a surface of more than 2,000 squaremeters.
For many years Gebr. Schmid has maintained close relations with, among others, the Freiburg ISE (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems), and this cooperation will be continued in the future.
However, besides the target to provide more research capacities, two special main focuses are set with the new TCS (Technology Center Schmid): on the one hand trials can be carried now out under nearly ideal laboratory conditions (the TCS is equipped among others with a scanning electron microscope). At the same time it is possible to evaluate and optimize the complete process chain of the solar cell and PCB production on close-to-production equipment, and to transfer the obtained results to turnkey and single systems.
These main focuses are ideal preconditions in order that Schmid can continue to expand their technology leadership also in the future.
• Near-application development projects can be conducted without time delays and without administrative hurdles.
• Long-term, trendsetting (basics) research projects can be followed up with great continuity.
• All current problems and demands can be dealt with flexibly and individually.

About Gebr. Schmid GmbH

Solar/Photovoltaics, Printed Circuit Boards and Flat Panel Display:
Quality and Innovation out of Tradition

Gebr. Schmid was founded in 1864 in Freudenstadt, Germany, as an iron foundry and mechanical workshop. For almost 100 years Schmid manufactured machines for the wood-working industry. Since 1965 brushing machines for the printed circuit board industry added to the portfolio; 10 years later woodworking machines ceased to be manufactured by Gebr. Schmid.
The following years were marked by continuous innovation and expansion, mainly focussed on the demands of the printed circuit board industry. In 1998 with production of the first systems for the flat panel display sector the Schmid cleanroom went into operation.
Since 2001 Schmid´s new business field, photovoltaic, is a big success story worldwide. Schmid delivers— meanwhile as world market leader in this segment—production equipment for wafers, cells and modules.

From the Single System up to the Complete Turnkey Shop
In the three business fields Solar/Photovoltaics, Printed Circuit Boards and Flat Panel Display Schmid develops and produces in most modern plants around the globe at total 13 locations (3 of them in Germany) with approx. 1,800 employees a wide range of innovative production equipment and special purpose machines: from the single system up to the complete turnkey shop.

Company Benchmarks:
– more than 1,800 staff at total 13 locations (3 of them in Germany)
– company turnover in 2008: 400 Mio. EUR +

Production Area:
– ca. 18.000 m² (Freudenstadt)
– ca. 3.000 m² (Niedereschach/STN)
– ca. 1.500 m² (Schwetzingen/STS)
– ca. 6.000 m² (Taiwan)
– ca. 4.500 m² (China: Shenzen)
– ca. 6.000 m² (China: Dongguan)
– ca. 15.000 m² (China: Dongguan)
– ca. 40.000 m² (China: Zhuhai)

– DIN EN ISO 9001-certified

Further press release of this company

• 09.01.2012 - SCHMID machines demonstrate again their excellent capability...
• 09.01.2012 - SCHMID-Anlagen beweisen erneut ihre ausgezeichnete Leistungsfähigkeit...
• 21.11.2011 - SCHWEIZER implements Diversification Strategy and starts Market...
• 21.11.2011 - SCHWEIZER setzt Diversifizierungsstrategie um und startet Markteintritt...
• 30.09.2011 - Schmid Group at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference...
• 30.09.2011 - Schmid Group auf der 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy...