I Steckborn utvecklas, designas och testas alla BERNINA‑maskiner noggrant. Här finns även en mekanisk tillverkning. Det nära samarbetet mellan ingenjörer, testare och mekaniker i prototyparbetet utgör grunden för den enastående kvaliteten hos BERNINAs produkter.
Globalt sett är 1 200 medarbetare en del av BERNINA‑familjen, varav 300 arbetar i Steckborn (produktledning, kvalitetsledning, forskning och utveckling, försäljning, marknadsföring, HR, ekonomi och företagsledning). Medarbetarna identifierar sig starkt med företagets värderingar. Många av dem har arbetat hos BERNINA i 30 eller till och med 40 år. Denna erfarenhet präglar produktkvaliteten på ett synligt och hållbart sätt.
BERNINA Thailand was founded in 1990. BERNINA Thailand produces the BERNINA sewing machines from entry level up to 7 Series, while BERNINA Switzerland still manufactures the top-of-the line machines B 880 PLUS. Also the smaller Q Series models are produced at BERNINA Thailand. In addition to producing sewing machines for the low and mid-range price ranges, the CNC production centres for parts production and the hook competency centre are located here. BERNINA Thailand is also able to maintain the high Swiss quality standards because the plant is under Swiss management on site. Strict quality checks are carried out in the assembly line and in a sewing lab. BERNINA Thailand works with the same Quality Value System as BERNINA International in Steckborn. Direct contact with the headquarters is a priority, despite the large distances involved.
Although BERNINA strives to keep production costs in general low and thus to weather the global economic challenges of today, BERNINA has a policy of social responsibility towards its Thai employees. Pay is above the minimum wage and BERNINA Thailand provides its employees with lunch and ensures a comfortable working environment through the use of air conditioning. A low staff turnover rate shows that the long-standing employees are satisfied with the conditions. Company owner Hanspeter Ueltschi decided to make Thailand a production location in 1990 due to its political stability.