Reduced capital costs
In order to stay competitive all over the world, Trisa invests heavily in technology and innovative product development.
multi-component technologies for tooth-
brush handles, flexible brush heads and
a broad range of bristle designs.
Felix Fischbacher, Export Marketing
Manager at Trisa, says, “Today’s tooth-
brushes only reach about 65 percent of
the surface of teeth, as it’s very difficult to
get to the area at the back of the mouth
and in between the teeth,” he says. “Our
aim is to reach the whole tooth.” Each
year, Trisa develops 20 to 30 new prod-
ucts in the pursuit of perfect oral hy-
giene.
Investment in robotics
In addition to product innovation, the
company places a lot of focus on au-
tomation. Around forty ABB robots are
used at Trisa, primarily in the final pack-
aging process. Another order for eight ro-
bots – one IRB 6000 and seven IRB 140s
– has just been received for new produc-
tion lines. “And despite the automation,
we have created hundreds of jobs in the
last twelve years since installing the first
robots,” adds Fischbacher.
Roland Eschmann, Head of Market-
ing at ABB Robotics in Altstetten, says,
“Our collaboration with Trisa has grown
over the years, and is characterized by
10
ABB robotics 2|10
mutual trust.” ABB delivers the robots in
blue – Trisa’s corporate color. Acting as
its own systems integrator, Trisa incorpo-
rates the robots into existing or new pro-
duction systems and programs them.
“It is essential that we can modify our
robot systems very quickly and flexibly,”
explains Josef Lötscher, head of the tech-
nology unit. “We also have limited-batch
production runs, and we can’t afford to
be idle for long periods.” Lötscher values
“We have created
hundreds of jobs in
the last twelve years
since installing the first
robots.”
Trisa’s good relationship with ABB’s spe-
cialists, as well as the reliable, low-main-
tenance robots, such as the older IRB
2400 which picks up six wrapped tooth-
brush batches in a particular order, places
them in a rack, selects a label and sticks
it on. The robot also checks that no pack-
aging has been forgotten during this pro-
cess. Nothing escapes its sensor-eye, en-
suring that the end customer in the shop
can select the perfect toothbrush.
Trisa – a family
company
The Trisa Group, founded in 1887
in Triengen, Switzerland, has opera-
tions in the oral care sector (73 per-
cent), cleaning sector (18 percent)
and hair care sector (9 percent). The
Ebnat brush factory also belongs
to the Group. The world’s leading
supplier of toothbrushes and oral
care products generated turnover
of $200 million USD in 2008. Trisa
AG exports 83 percent of its output.
The company sets itself apart with
a cooperative management style,
a supervisory board with equal
employee and shareholder repre-
sentation, employee involvement in
the decision-making process and
commitment to social responsibility.
For more information,
visit www.trisa.ch.