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Max Felchlin AG, Switzerland – perfect climate for chocolate and workforce

Food & Beverages

Max Felchlin AG

Ibach Switzerland

Max Felchin AG, cocoa roasting plant
Max Felchlin AG exports around 55% of its chocolate products, so quality is paramount. The company took delivery of a new cocoa roasting plant in 2012 and, in 2018, moved into an elegant new facility capable of housing all its activities. Felchlin relied on solutions from Siemens to create optimal climate conditions in the elegant timber building. Indoor climate plays an important role, especially in the “Condirama” training centre on the fourth floor. A number of challenges had to be mastered, such as large amounts of glazing, fluctuating staff numbers, several ovens – and the low melting point of chocolate. 
A particular feature of the “change-over” air conditioning system is that the ceiling panels can both cool and heat. Countless cables converge on the control cabinet in the technical room, which is almost five metres long and located in the basement; this also houses the heating, ventilation and large refrigerating plant. The room automation was implemented using two SIMATIC controllers and compact ET 200SP peripheral modules. 
The responsive, modular SIMATIC S7-1500 controller is scalable in its functionality; it can be adapted to complex machines and supports all common communication standards. Visualisation in the Desigo CC building management system is deliberately kept simple for ease of operation by Felchlin employees. The control system displays data relating to the building as well as the error messages of every production plant, prioritised according to urgency.

  • SIMATIC S7-1500 
  • SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panel 
  • Desigo CC (Siemens Smart Infrastructure)
The data and error messages provided by the control system allow the Felchlin team to analyse trends in the Desigo and thus manage the building energy-efficiently. The building automation is operated from the office or using the touch panel in the technical room.
Rolf Bürgler, Project Manager Max Felchlin AG
“Siemens responded in full to Felchlin’s requirements. Not only were we able to communicate openly, I also felt that the feedback from our day-to-day operations was appreciated.”
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