News Patek Philippe is continuing on its chosen path of integration in the area of watchmaking components. After recently acquiring the watch case manufacturer Calame & Cie of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Genevan brand has taken a further step by purchasing a substantial majority shareholding in Ergas Sarl of Tramelan. Active in high precision micromechanical components, this company, which was founded in 1945, currently employs around fifteen persons.
“This participation brings us precious expertise in the field of stampings intended for the production of small high precision steel components such as pawls or date-fingers”, the managing director of Patek Philippe, Mr Claude Peny, points out. “This acquisition enables us to provide a long-term quality guarantee.” Half the production is intended for non-watchmaking sectors (medical branch) and will remain so in future, just as Patek Philippe does not plan to cultivate exclusivity in this particular area of expertise. “We are open to outside customers,” Mr Peny says.
Ergas Sarl will be managed as an independent unit. Mr Michel Vuillemier will continue to work for the company as a managing partner.
June 07, 2001