It is within a former food packaging facility that Rolex is now preparing to launch new production lines, fueling much needed inventory at its boutiques worldwide.

Starting in the first half of 2025, Rolex will ramp up operations at the former Tetra Pak site of Romont, with an initial wave of employees who recently completed their training at Rolex.

Rolex new temporary site in Romont, Switzerland. *(Credit:* ***ECPF***)

Rolex said the recruitment process is progressing as planned and will be carried out gradually over the coming years, depending on how operations grow.

Since Dec. 2023, Rolex has been actively recruiting from its dedicated office on the second floor of the Bulle train station, a move first reported by Coronet.

Today, Rolex said it is looking to offer permanent positions across multiple departments for its new location: Employé logistique, Technicien en métrologie, Horloger Rhabilleur Technicien R&D en Chimie, Chargé de projets en Automatisme des Bâtiments…

Online, the latest Rolex job openings list “Fribourg” as the location — not the city, but the Swiss canton — signaling Rolex’s strategy to assign employees across its sites in Romont, Villaz-Saint-Pierre and eventually Bulle. In 2029, all will transition to the new manufacture in Bulle.

In Romont, a dozen trained recruits will lead the charge in the first half of 2025, with the workforce expected to grow to 250–300, according to Rolex. Beyond boosting output, the site will serve as a training ground, preparing employees for their move to Rolex’s Bulle manufacture.

Rolex will first occupy one hall of the former Tetra Pak site in Romont, spanning roughly 5,800 square meters, or 62,400 square feet. The hall will be split into three production areas, according to the building permit application filed.

A second hall, which is still undergoing renovation, is set to open by year’s end and will house Research & Development. Rolex has invested no less than 30 million francs for the renovation of Tetra Pak’s former site.

The site itself is owned by l’Établissement cantonal de promotion foncière, which leases it to Rolex. This state agency serves as Fribourg’s main arm for reclaiming industrial sites left vacant by departing companies, such as Tetra Pak.

**Stretching exercises at Rolex. (Photo credit: Rolex)**

Just a few miles from Romont, Rolex has been running a Service Après-Vente in Villaz-Saint-Pierre since last year for servicing and repairs. With production ramping up, after-sales support must keep pace. At the Villaz-Saint-Pierre site also, Rolex is planning to open a temporary training center to support its growing workforce.

Few are aware that Rolex initially planned to build its new mega-manufacture in the nearby fields of Villaz-Saint-Pierre. But an extensive hydrogeological survey forced the company to scrap the project.

While it was a setback for the small Swiss town, it turned out to be a win for Bulle, where Rolex ultimately decided to build its new facility.