For nearly a hundred years, the Jowat name has been synonymous with the invisible bonds that hold our world together. What began in 1928 as a modest producer of natural glues has matured into a global titan of polyurethane technology. This month, the company marks a poetic milestone in its history: Jowat Swiss AG is not just growing; it is building its future using the very products it perfected.
A Structure That Speaks for Itself
The Administrative Board has officially greenlit a significant expansion of the Jowat manufacturing site in Buchrain. While industrial expansions are often exercises in concrete and steel, Jowat is taking a path closer to its woodworking roots. The new facility will feature a load-bearing glued laminated timber (glulam) structure, serving as a living showroom for the company’s high-performance adhesives.
The sheer scale of the project is impressive. Spanning roughly 46 meters in length and 16 meters in height, the new warehouse will add 1,160 m² of floor space to the site. By choosing timber over traditional materials, Jowat is leaning into sustainable building practices that resonate deeply with the modern woodworking industry.
Dr. Olaf Meincke, the newly appointed managing director of Jowat Swiss AG, highlights the significance of this architectural choice:
“A defining aspect of this project is the consistent use of our own products. The adhesives used in the construction are produced by Jowat, providing a tangible demonstration of the performance and versatility of our product portfolio in real-world applications.”
The project is being brought to life in partnership with Strüby Konzept AG, a Swiss specialist renowned for sophisticated timber structures. With construction permits already secured, the Buchrain skyline is set to change as Jowat’s own chemical engineering meets Swiss timber craftsmanship.
New Leadership for a New Era
The expansion coincides with a transition in the executive suite. During the March 2026 Administrative Board meeting, Mr. Anton Rüegg concluded his tenure as managing director. The Jowat Group expressed sincere gratitude for his years of service and the foundation he helped build.
Stepping into the role is Dr. Olaf Meincke, who adds the managing director title to his existing responsibilities on the Board of Directors of Jowat SE. To ensure stability during this period of growth, the day-to-day operations remain in the capable hands of authorized signatories Mrs. Simone Kaiser (commercial) and Mr. Marcel Widin (technology). This “hands-on” leadership structure ensures that while the company scales up its infrastructure, the technical and commercial precision Jowat is known for remains uninterrupted.
Strategic Realignment: The Power of the DACH Region
Beyond the physical construction in Buchrain, Jowat is also restructuring its “intellectual” architecture. In a strategic move to streamline operations, the Swiss sales organization is being integrated into the German sales structure, forming a unified DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) sales organization.
This new regional powerhouse will be led by Mr. Kay-Henrik von der Heide, who takes on strategic and operational responsibility for the entire territory. By folding the Swiss Sales and Customer Service teams into this broader structure, Jowat aims to eliminate borders for its clients.
Klaus Kullmann, Board of Directors member responsible for Sales and Marketing, noted:
“The Jowat Group is confident that this realignment will further strengthen our market presence in the DACH region and provide even more focused service to our customers.”
The Bottom Line
For the woodworking professional, Jowat’s expansion is more than just corporate news—it’s a vote of confidence in timber as the primary medium for large-scale industrial construction. By literally standing on a foundation held together by their own adhesives, Jowat is proving that the future of manufacturing is sustainable, integrated, and deeply rooted in the materials we love.
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