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The Hilti Corporation’s Innovation Center construction project is moving ahead according to plan. The cornerstone laying celebration on August 31 marked the official commencement of construction work on the project superstructure.

Hilti Board Member Michael Hilti and project manager Thomas Rhyner laid the building’s official cornerstone under the watchful eyes of Liechtenstein’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Martin Meyer; Chief Executive of the municipality of Schaan, Daniel Hilti; Hilti Corporation Chairman Dr. Pius Baschera and Chief Executive Bo Risberg; and architects Lorenzo Giuliani and Christian Hönger. The cornerstone closed off a recess that held a Hilti toolbox containing a photograph of the construction project team, the program for the architectural competition, copies of current daily newspapers and a Hilti laser range meter.

In his welcome address Michael Hilti stated that this event was more than a mere symbolic act. “By laying a cornerstone today we are placing it in a foundation that will further underscore the tried and proven while also taking a further step in the future of our company. An infrastructure will be built here that will further strengthen our power of innovation.”

Hilti is investing approximately CHF100 million, making the Innovation Center the greatest investment project in the history of the company. The multifunctional building will include offices, testing areas, labs and workshops for approximately 400 employees.

“I’m convinced that his new building will create an attractive working environment for our employees, one where they will be comfortable and where they can develop, test and realize their ideas,” said Bo Risberg. “Innovative production and product technologies are among our core competences and make up the DNA of Hilti. As a location, Schaan is one of our technological centerpieces and it will continue to remain so in the future.”

Liechtenstein’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Martin Meyer, views the construction of the Innovation Center as “a clear acknowledgement of Liechtenstein’s significant as a place of business. I am all the more pleased as this decision also strengthens Liechtenstein as a center for leading-edge technology.”

Daniel Hilti, Chief Executive of the municipality of Schaan, was also pleased “with the strong vote of confidence in the community of Schaan, where Hilti will establish a trailblazing competence center in the coming years. I congratulate the company on making this future-oriented and strategic decision, which I also see as a significant and positive signal for the economic development of Liechtenstein.”

The Innovation Center is scheduled to open during spring 2015. Once completed, the building will have floor space of approximately 16,500 square meters.