Founded in 1854, Kugler Bimetal SA is one of the oldest industrial companies still active in French-speaking Switzerland. Specialising in the manufacture of high-performance bimetallic components in steel and bronze, it supplies some of the most demanding sectors: aerospace, wind energy, rail, and defence. Behind this longevity lies a constant capacity to innovate including in the way energy is consumed.
A foundry at the heart of Geneva, a question at the heart of the transition
In a foundry, energy is not just a cost line. It is a condition of production. Melting furnaces operate at high temperatures, continuously, with precision constraints that leave no room for improvisation.
Yet, faced with the evolution of Switzerland’s energy system and the growing surplus of renewable electricity on the grid a question emerged at Kugler Bimetal: How do we optimise our consumption without disrupting our production processes or taking on financial risk?
The answer came through a partnership with Romande Énergie.
OverFlow: turning surplus into an asset
The OverFlow solution, developed by Romande Énergie, is based on a principle called Power-to-Heat: converting surplus electricity from the grid particularly from solar sources into useful heat, at the right time and in the right place.
In practice, the system is directly connected to the national grid managed by Swissgrid. When renewable energy production exceeds demand, OverFlow automatically activates the relevant installations to absorb that surplus. At Kugler Bimetal, this means the automatic pre-heating of furnaces at night and over weekends, when electricity is available at advantageous tariff conditions.
No major modifications to existing installations. No disruption to production schedules. A straightforward implementation, designed for demanding industrial environments.
A two-way benefit
What makes this approach particularly compelling is that it is a win on two levels.
For Kugler Bimetal: flexible consumption helps optimise energy costs, while progressively reducing reliance on fossil fuels fully aligned with the company’s environmental commitments as an ISO 14001-certified organisation.
For the grid: by consuming when electricity is in surplus, Kugler Bimetal actively contributes to the stabilisation of the Swiss electricity network. By 2050, Switzerland aims to add 45 TWh of renewable electricity 28 TWh of which from photovoltaics. Industrial flexibility will be an essential lever for absorbing this intermittent production.
A concrete example for Swiss industry
This project was highlighted at the Romande Énergie Forum 2026, where Vincent Gillet, CEO of Kugler Bimetal SA, presented it as a concrete example of Power-to-Heat in a demanding industrial context.
“We were looking for a concrete solution that would not disrupt our production processes. The OverFlow solution from Romande Énergie delivered exactly that.”
Vincent Gillet, CEO of Kugler Bimetal SA
A vision built to last
At Kugler Bimetal, the energy transition is not a regulatory obligation. It is part of a company philosophy: continuous progress, calculated risk-taking, and innovation through action.
After 170 years of industrial history in Geneva, this foundry demonstrates that it is possible to combine technical excellence, economic competitiveness, and environmental responsibility without sacrificing one for the other.
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