Mestel inaugurates CHF 13 million high-tech facility in the canton of Fribourg

With a CHF 13 million investment, Mestel has opened a cutting-edge facility in Rossens to boost production of high-end rubber watch straps and smart wearable components for the luxury industry.

Previously based in Broc, Mestel SA, a company specializing in high-performance rubber injection and thermoplastic molding has relocated its Swiss production hub to a modern site near the Rossens (canton of Fribourg) motorway junction. The newly inaugurated facility brings together the activities of Mestel and two former entities, Plaspaq and Cafag, which are now unified under the umbrella of Antama Groupe, a Fribourg-based industrial group with ten companies and around 300 employees.

The Rossens plant currently employs 90 staff and complements Mestel’s existing factory near Genoa, Italy, where 140 employees focus on large-scale production. Swiss operations handle prototyping and small series manufacturing, ensuring close collaboration with high-end watch brands, many of which rely on Mestel straps for timepieces valued at CHF 5,000 and above.

The site includes a technical office and a mechanical workshop dedicated to designing molds for synthetic materials. The production area houses eight rubber injection presses and seven thermoplastic molding systems. This dual expertise allows Mestel not only to supply the watchmaking sector but also to produce technical parts for food-grade applications.

From heritage to innovation

While luxury watches remain its core market, Mestel is expanding into the fashion segment, with developments in handbag components, belts, and footwear soles. The company also innovates in connected wearables, offering rubber straps embedded with NFC chips that can be used for contactless payment, access control, or even as digital car keys, reflecting a push toward functional and intelligent design.

The move from Broc and the consolidation of activities formerly based in Fribourg were made possible thanks to real estate redevelopment projects on the old sites. Despite pandemic-related delays, the Rossens factory (planned since 2017) now offers state-of-the-art infrastructure tailored to the demanding standards of the Swiss luxury industry. Its inauguration confirms the canton of Fribourg’s growing attractiveness as a hub for advanced manufacturing and design in the watch and fashion sectors.