Bietigheim-Bissingen – Visibility Systems

The Valeo site in Bietigheim-Bissingen focuses on the development and production of wiper and washer systems.

The “Wiper Plant” in Bietigheim-Bissingen, which belongs to the Visibility Systems Business Group, has modern production facilities for windscreen wipers, associated electric motors and so-called front-end modules on an area of approx. 17,000 m². Modern workplaces are located on three levels for the about 600 employees working in the areas of development, sales, project and administration. In addition, the site has a prototype workshop and laboratories for tests of all kinds, where highly specialized engineers develop and test new products and ongoing production is permanently checked. The current top product of the “wiper factory” is AquaBlade®.

Key figures at end 2023

  • 0

    employees

  • 0

    nationalities

  • 0  yr.

    founding year

The focus at the site

At the site in Bietigheim-Bissingen, wiper and washer systems for the front and rear areas (arms, blades, linkages, wiper motors) are developed and produced. Moreover, the plant boasts software developments as well as numerous developments in the areas of rubber, mechanical parts (arm, blade, linkage) and motors (with and without electronics) and also includes quality and development laboratories (function, reliability, HVAC, electronics). Since 2015, front-end modules for the Thermal Systems Business Group have also been manufactured here.

Products at the site

  • Wiper arms
  • Wiper blades
  • Wiper rubbers
  • Splines
  • Rods

Working in Bietigheim-Bissingen

Bietigheim-Bissingen is located in Baden-Württemberg in the Middle Neckar Valley between the state capital Stuttgart and Heilbronn, not far from where the Enz flows into the Neckar. Particularly noteworthy is the historic old town of Bietigheim, which has developed over centuries and has been able to retain its medieval character. Historical highlights include the town hall, built in 1507, the Hornmoldhaus town museum, which is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in southern Germany, and the Latin school. Together they shape the historic townscape. Bietigheim-Bissingen is known for its markets such as the horse market, the Krämermarkt and the Christmas market. The ice hockey team “SC Steelers” (DEL) is known far beyond the region. The region around Bietigheim-Bissingen is also highly regarded as a “wine region” and all kinds of boat trips are possible on the river Enz.

Social commitment & activities at the site

The “Wiper Plant” in Bietigheim-Bissingen works closely with the Theo Lorch workshops, workshops with work and care places for people with disabilities. In addition, the location is also actively involved in the form of donations for local associations, children in Romania (Foundation Kinderzukunft), children in Africa (“Stifte stiften” campaign) and “Menschen in Not” (“People in Need” campaign of the Bietigheimer Zeitung).

Apart from its social commitment, the site offers its employees site-specific activities beyond the group-wide benefits. These include regular health days and sports activities, but also a leasing model for bicycles.

Sustainability at the site

At the Bietigheim-Bissingen site, the issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important. In addition to the use of biofilters for exhaust gas combustion, LED lights are being used in production and administration. Furthermore, other sustainability projects are in the planning phase. These include the expansion of photovoltaics on two production buildings.

History

1923
1927
1936
1942
1950
1960-1970
1972
1993
1998
1998
1998
1999
1999
2001
2001
2001
2002
2003
2006

1923

Foundation of Spezial-Werkzeugfabrik Feuerbach GmbH (SWF)

1927

First deliveries to the automotive industry (direction indicators)

1936

Takeover by Gustav Rau and renaming as SWF-Spezialfabrik für Autozubehör Gustav Rau GmbH with 140 employees

1942

Relocation of the company to Bietigheim-Bissingen

1950

With the development of the German automotive industry, the number of employees increases to 300

1960-1970

Foundation of several branch factories in Wemding, Bäumenheim, Ehingen and Neuses

1972

Sale of SWF GmbH to ITT Inc. New York

1993

Merger of the entire European automotive supplier business of ITT under ITT Automotive Europe GmbH

1998

Spin-off of SWF Auto-Electric GmbH & Co. KG with the aim of sale

1998

Sale of the Ehingen plant

1998

Takeover of former SWF sites by Valeo

1999

Formation of three business divisions: Wischer & Motoren GmbH, Schalter & Sensoren GmbH, Beleuchtung Deutschland GmbH

1999

Integration of the entire European wiper and motor activities into a European division based in Bietigheim-Bissingen

2001

The first series of so-called "flat blades" is launched on the market with a German customer. The technology has undergone rapid development since then

2001

Ground-breaking ceremony for the new building at the Bietigheim-Bissingen site in Poststräßle (today: Valeostraße)

2001

Legal separation of wipers and motors into: Valeo Wischersysteme GmbH and Valeo Motoren & Aktuatoren

2002

Relocation of the production areas to the new plant

2003

Completion of relocation activities by relocation of the administrative areas

2006

Sale of Valeo Motoren & Aktuatoren to the Nidec Group as of 01.01.2007

Contact

Telephone
+49 7142 73-0

Information on the town
www.bietigheim-bissingen.de

Contact us

Internal link

Find a job at the site

Want to join the site team? Take a look at our job offers. For professionals and graduates, for operators, and for high school and university students. Find out what it’s like to work at Valeo in Germany.