Precision with passion
In Neuhausen am Rheinfall, craftsmanship meets precision. At the long-established SIG Sauer company, the Swiss Army's assault rifles are assembled from over 160 individual parts – with expert craftsmanship, Swiss know-how, and a network of regional specialists.
Pasquale Caputi's eyes light up when he talks about his work. The trained typewriter mechanic and gunsmith has been with the company for 34 years and has been managing director of SIG Sauer since 2016. But he has never lost his fascination for craftsmanship. “We are a manufacturer,” he explains. “A lot of manual work and precision goes into every SIG Sauer.” This applies not only to the roughly 50 employees in Neuhausen, but also to a network of specialized suppliers. Together, they ensure that every weapon offers the highest precision and reliability.
"A lot of manual work and precision goes into every SIG Sauer."
Pasquale Caputi has been managing director for almost ten years.
Precision under extreme conditions
Before a weapon leaves the factory, it is not only inspected, but also tested. For this purpose, test facilities have been installed in the basement of the factory, among other places: there are shooting ranges from 25 to 300 meters in length, an underground sand bullet trap, water and mud tanks, and a climate chamber that simulates temperatures from +70 to –60 degrees Celsius. “We have to ensure that our weapons function under all conditions,” explains Caputi.
Looking back: highs and lows
Caputi also experienced difficult times during his time at SIG Sauer: the major order from the Swiss Army in the 1990s was a milestone for the company. At that time, over 400 employees worked in Neuhausen. But when follow-up orders didn’t come through, the workforce shrunk to just over ten people by 2010. Production was outsourced and quality suffered. “It was a difficult time,” recalls Caputi. His strategy at the time was to bring back expertise and regain trust. Today, SIG Sauer employs around 50 people in development, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. “We have a good team with many long-standing employees,” explains Caputi.
The manufacture of these weapons requires manual labor and precision.
More than just assault rifles
In addition to the Swiss Army, customers also include police departments and sport shooters. Around one-fifth of sales come from civilian users who order pistols and other SIG Group products or buy them directly in the local shop. The pistols are not yet manufactured in Neuhausen – but that could soon change. SIG Sauer has bid for a major contract from the Swiss Army: the supply of pistols. “If we win the contract, we want to set up production here in Neuhausen,” explains Caputi. The goal: to secure quality and supply chains in Switzerland – as with the Sturmgewehr 90 assault rifle. For the region and the company, this would be another step toward a successful future.
There is more
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