High-tech expertise in development and manufacturing meets competitive cost structures. With sites in Austria and Slovakia, WILD is able to combine these strengths.

High wage costs, rising energy prices and dynamic developments in the raw material sector pose enormous challenges for contract manufacturers in Europe. Companies must act more efficiently than ever before – yet without compromising on quality and innovation. In this volatile environment, the WILD Group enjoys a decisive advantage: a strategic mix of modern development and production sites in Austria and Slovakia means maximum flexibility for the benefit of its customers.

”Depending on the requirements and the complexity of the products, we choose the most suitable site for the respective project“, stresses WILD COO Arthur Primus. WILD Technologies in Trnava plays a pivotal role in this. State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, a team with exceptional expertise and commitment and competitive cost structures create an ideal production environment for a large number of devices and assemblies.

ADDED-VALUE ASSEMBLY SITE
The Trnava factory has undergone impressive developments in the last 5 years. ”We have become a full-scale assembly site within the WILD Group. Though complex optics or development projects are reserved for the Austrian sites, we stand out with standardised and scalable processes. We therefore focus on assemblies and devices suitable for serial production that can be easily described in clear working instructions“, explains Tobias Knoop, Managing Director at WILD Technologies.

A team of 80 staff members currently produces components and systems of varying manufacturing depths on an area of 4,800 square metres. The majority of these products are delivered directly to customers from the WILD Group‘s target segments. New products like binoculars with laser rangefinders, stands for operating theatres or analysers illustrate the diversity and the potential of the manufacturing capacities at Trnava. ”This year, we are very pleased to add several new customers from different sectors who have put their faith in our competence“, adds Knoop. Some 1,000 square metres of space are still unused, however the plans for further growth have been clearly defined: the number of staff is to rise to around 100 by the end of 2025.

MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE
In the previous years, WILD Technologies has invested heavily in infrastructure. An air-conditioning system in the production hall, a gantry crane for handling large assemblies and energy-efficient LED lighting systems with movement sensors across the entire site are just a few examples of the company‘ s commitment to a sustainable and efficient production.

DEDICATED INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TEAM
Another focus area is the development of technical skills, especially those in industrial engineering. ”This translates into a dedicated team to support assembly, thus optimising the efficiency of the manufacturing processes. We thus ensure an efficient, precise, and reliable manufacturing – an important prerequisite for the demanding markets to which WILD caters“, Knoop explains. The industrial engineering team is assigned a wide range of tasks: from validating devices, conducting FMEA analyses and setting up complex test and assembly stands, to the quest for process and product optimisation, e.g. through Poka Yoke projects. The team is involved in both the implementation of contract developments by the WILD Group and production relocation projects. ”Our objective is clear: we want to wow customers as early as possible. They receive our full support to achieve their quality, deadline and cost targets, thus reaching serial manufacturing for their products at a quicker pace“, Knoop emphasises.

In the area of training and upskilling, the company implements internal programmes to improve the competences and skills of its team members in electrical engineering. But there are also training courses organised across groups, in which the site participates. ”In general, we are in the fortunate position of finding qualified personnel easily“ says Knoop, describing the situation in Slovakia with regard to skilled workers.

As Wild Technologies prepares itself for further growth, one aspect remains unchanged: corporate culture. Openness, transparency and a  common commitment to finding solutions for the customer are at the centre of everyday work. This is where the factory comes full circle to the Austrian sites.

MAKING IDEAL USE OF SYNERGIES
”The WILD Group‘s strength lies in its ideal use of synergies between the current four sites“, Arthur Primus stresses. On the supply-chain side, the WILD Group‘s central strategic procurement really pays off. All sites benefit from the long-standing expertise of the development, sales and manufacturing teams, since they can tap into an in-depth common pool of knowledge and resources.