Schwihag Track and Switch Technology, Inc. has purchased the former IMI Fluid Kinetics building at the Winfield Industrial Park and has chosen Winfield as its new U.S. manufacturing headquarters.
The company plans to begin operations at the 30,000 square-foot property with 15 to 25 employees and potentially grow that number by 10 employees per year, according to company city officials. Fluid Kinetics left in 2023 after two decades at the industrial park.
The plant is located at 1108 Industrial Park Rd. and has an appraised value of $1.9 million.
Switzerland-based Schwihag – a producer of railroad rail fasteners and turnouts solutions designs – finalized purchased of the building in December.
Winfield city manager Taggart Wall said the company has plans to use the entire facility, which includes integrated cranes. Space to potentially double the existing building size at the current site and the cranes, were selling points as the city courted potential buyers, he said.
“This is a great win for Winfield and Cowley County,” Wall told Cowley Post.
Cowley County Economic Development Partnership participated in recruiting efforts and has announced initial job openings at Schwihag’s Winfield location. Continue story below ads.
“We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new factory in Winfield, Kansas. This milestone marks a significant step in our commitment to innovation, job creation, and contributing to the local economy,” Marc Raymond, General Manager Americas for Schwihag, said in a statement. “With our new facility, we look forward to strengthening our community ties, producing high-quality products, and driving sustainable growth. Together, we’re building a brighter future for the county of Cowley and beyond.”
Available positions will include roles such as line workers, machine operators and supervisors, all of which offer competitive salaries, officials said.
The grand opening of Schwihag’s Winfield facility is tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of this year.
