From 0.001 mm to 3'000 kg
Tucked away in a residential area near the vineyards stands the production facility of SMC Mould Innovation AG in Hallau. The unassuming 1950s building gives no indication that high-precision injection-molding tools for the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries are manufactured there.
“For over 100 years, SMC has been synonymous with high-precision toolmaking,” explains Adolph Keller. He has served as managing director since early 2026 and immediately adds what fascinates him about toolmaking: “We work in the micrometer range, offer the highest quality, and create tools that enable the production of millions of medical devices worldwide.” The 25 employees in Hallau manufacture injection molds for plastic components used in autoinjectors and injection pens. These include, for example, housing parts, guide components, safety mechanisms, and functional components necessary for the reliable delivery of medication. The fact that this high level of precision and quality is possible is due to the region’s long history of toolmaking - which is closely linked to SMC.
Schaffhausen Injection Molding Cluster
About 100 years ago, Theodor Schöttli, a trained precision mechanic, began manufacturing injection molds for plastics processing in Hallau. This operation later gave rise to the company Buchter-Schöttli, now known as SMC Mould Innovation AG. Over the decades, additional companies emerged in the fields of injection molding and mold making. These include, for example, FOSTAG Formenbau AG in Stein am Rhein, the Neuhaus-based mold maker KEBO AG, and the Schaffhausen-based injection molding company Gebrüder Renggli AG. This led to a concentration of expertise and experience in the region, which has been nurtured and further developed through high-quality training. As a result, the Schaffhausen region is now home to a globally significant cluster in high-end injection molding and mold making.
200 parts. One mold. Zero tolerance.
SMC’s 25 employees - from apprentices to experienced specialists—work with passion and, above all, precision. This is one of the qualities that are essential, especially in medical technology, where patient safety is the top priority. At SMC, the manufacturing of the approximately 200 to 300 individual parts for a single injection-molding tool - which can weigh up to three metric tons - is a matter of micrometers. Whether for autoinjectors, nasal sprays, or eye drop systems, the company maintains flexibility with a small team. This allows them to occasionally manufacture “exotic” products on a contract basis, Keller adds, pointing to a gas turbine that is currently being milled in one of the machines.
“We work at the micrometer level, deliver the highest quality, and create tools that enable the production of millions of medical devices worldwide.”
Rooted Locally and Connected to the Whole World
Since 2024, SMC has been part of SHL Medical, a leading global developer and manufacturer of self-injection systems. This globally active company serves as a full-service provider for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. It covers the entire process - from initial development and tooling to injection molding and the finished, packaged medical device - all under one roof. The integration opens up new opportunities for SMC: “We are now part of a world-leading medtech company and can contribute our expertise even more directly to the development and production of innovative drug delivery systems,” says Keller, describing the Hallau-based company’s new role as part of SHL Medical’s vertical integration strategy. At the same time, the site remains a center of excellence for tooling with a high degree of autonomy.
The Small Company with the Big Partner
The acquisition by SHL has brought about some changes - yet day-to-day operations remain the same. With a strong partner behind the scenes, investments in machinery can be timed differently, capacity utilization and special orders can be distributed within the company’s own network, and - most importantly - experiences, challenges, and, above all, innovations can be discussed in close collaboration with SHL’s mold makers in Taiwan and the U.S. “This international network is very exciting for us: All companies have a slightly different focus and therefore different experience in molding, working with various materials, and developing innovations,” explains Keller. In addition to knowledge transfer, the team uses this connection to develop innovations that maintain high quality at the site. Another pillar of this effort is vocational training and continuing education. For young talent, being part of SHL offers a unique combination: down-to-earth Swiss craftsmanship paired with the career opportunities of a global corporation. And all of this right here in Hallau.
