FAQs.
General
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Which services does NUSSLI provide?
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NUSSLI plans and realizes temporary and permanent structures for a wide range of sporting and cultural events along with trade fairs and exhibitions. Together with the planning services in the Overlay sector (temporary infrastructures) and our own production capacities in carpentry and woodworking, NUSSLI has developed a unique product portfolio.
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When was NUSSLI founded?
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NUSSLI was founded as a carpentry workshop in 1941 in Hüttwilen, Switzerland. The company's history along with its key milestones can be found on our website under History.
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Where is NUSSLI represented?
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NUSSLI has its headquarters in Hüttwilen, Switzerland. Member companies are located in Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA, and in the Middle East. Operations there include offices and warehouse space for materials, along with workshops, while production is centralized in Hüttwilen and Mooresville (USA). For major international projects we establish on-site project offices. Details for our contact partners can be found under Contact Person.
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What makes NUSSLI successful?
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Our competitive ability is the result of our flexible and efficient organization, our versatile construction systems and our tailor-made customer solutions. We perceive of ourselves as a learning organization: we seek to implement our knowledge and experience systematically while remaining open to new and varied challenges. NUSSLI's strength lies in its targeted use of synergies from its various business areas. Further information on our market performance can be found under Services.
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In which direction does NUSSLI plan to develop?
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We are a leading supplier of temporary structures for events, trade fairs and exhibitions and in the modular stadium construction sector in Europe and the USA, with the goal of progressing further in this domain. This includes continued expansion of our activities abroad and targeted investments in international market development and new construction systems.
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What has been the most significant project for NUSSLI to date?
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Each year we carry out a varied range of more than 1,000 projects. Without doubt, the Olympic projects and the recent World Expos represented particular challenges, whereby we devote our full attention to every project – regardless of its size – to find the best possible solution for our customers. Possibly our largest and most significant challenge to date was the Expo 02 in Switzerland, for which all of our business units completed numerous projects with notable success. Under Projects, you can experience the variety of our past projects.
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What is the role of the in-house Production department?
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Our Production Department (timber construction, interior fittings, metal construction) assists the divisions (Events and Exhibitions) on the one hand and provides services to its largely regional clients on the other hand. We specialize in customized solutions in the fields of timber construction and roof coverings. Our experts in this division produce building shells from timber panels, wooden stairs and roof coverings from a variety of materials, movable backdrops and supporting structures for timber constructions under engineer supervision. We also build structures out of wood, plastic, metal or other materials for use in indoor installations, including food preparation, bar and refrigerator units. In this sector our clients include hotels, restaurants and catering businesses, bars or private individuals. Having our own production department also makes us flexible when it comes to event and exhibition structures. This enables us to access our own production resources at short notice and make use of our in-house expertise.
Planning
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Which planning services are provided by NUSSLI?
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Successful events require foresighted and resource-friendly planning for both permanent and temporary constructions. We support the organization committees and organizers by creating studies, developing concepts, testing for feasibility and planning temporary and permanent structures. We also calculate budgets, create schedules, define specifications and arrange tendering. In the execution phase we also assume management and monitoring responsibilities, on request by the client.
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Is the General planning department independent?
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The planning services provided by NUSSLI are supplier and/or system-independent. Our staff regards themselves as advisers and planners on behalf of the event organizers or builders. Following planning, the client is free to select another suitable company on the market for the implementation of the planned event infrastructures. The builder is free to independently select the company of his choice to carry out the work, but he has the option of making use of NUSSLI’s executive competence if desired. Our website contains more information about this topic under Planning.
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How are the Planning services integrated into the NUSSLI Group?
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Nussli International Ltd is the Group's planning company. It is based in Hüttwilen and operates independently of the rest of the Group using expert planners and architects. For some projects, the team receives the support of external partners.
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In which areas are the General Planning services active?
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The services offered by the Consulting and Planning Department mainly comprise the general planning of building infrastructures for major national and international sporting and cultural events – in technical language this is called overlay planning. The Planning team also develops construction solutions in the modular stadium and pavilion sector.
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Do the Planning services also plan permanent buildings?
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Yes, NUSSLI assists architects and general contractors with the design of project competitions like theater conversions or stadium reconstructions.
Events
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Which related services does NUSSLI provide for events or event construction?
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NUSSLI provides planning and assembly services along with the rental and sale of grandstands, stages, platforms and other event infrastructures for national and international sporting and cultural events. On request we assume complete responsibility for the functionality, quality, cost and delivery of all event infrastructures for a project as General Contractor.
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Does NUSSLI manufacture its own stage and grandstand materials?
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No, but NUSSLI develops and designs the construction systems. Prototypes and small-batch items are produced at the production sites in Hüttwilen or Mooresville, while large-scale production is done by international, industrial suppliers according to our specifications.
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How is a temporary grandstand constructed?
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The grandstands are built with modular construction systems, primarily steel and aluminum. The majority of the components are assembled by hand, which, if one considers that grandstand seating for 2,000 people weighs approx. 100 tons, means a lot of work. Foundation work usually involves shallow foundation and height-adjustable newels. Grandstands are normally built on existing sites.
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Where are the grandstand materials sourced in the case of an overseas order?
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The system components are obtained from our supply centers in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy or the USA. Supplementary materials are mostly obtained locally or from our routine suppliers.
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Does NUSSLI also construct permanent grandstands?
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Yes, we also build permanent grandstands made of wood and steel. These are handed over as turnkey installations and include all technical equipment. If a grandstand is to be built as a massive construction (concrete), we often develop cost-effective alternatives.
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What is the largest stage NUSSLI has ever constructed?
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In terms of area, the largest stage ever constructed still remains the one built for the legendary Pink Floyd concert “The Wall” in Berlin in 1990. The stage was a good 300 meters long. But the large stages constructed for the Pope or for the Bregenz Festival also always present great challenges.
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Does NUSSLI sell its construction systems?
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Yes, NUSSLI also sells its construction systems, and these transactions often result in partnerships for subsequent market cultivation.
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Do the construction systems fulfill the safety norms in all countries?
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Our systems are used on all continents and fulfill all internationally recognized standards.
Stadium Construction
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Which solutions does NUSSLI provide in the stadium construction sector?
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NUSSLI offers additional grandstands or complete modularly built stadiums and arenas – with or without roofing – for rental or sale. There are also hire-purchase or leasing models available. And of course our solutions are designed to meet individual customer requirements.
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How large can a modular stadium be built?
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In regard to size, there are no limitations on modular stadium construction.
This means that even three-tiered stadiums can be built modularly. Nevertheless, we consider a two-tiered stadium with approximately 30,000 – 35,000 seats an appropriate maximum size. There are no existing technical restrictions; the size of the stadium is rather a question of budget and sustainability. -
When should the use of a modular stadium be considered?
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Modular stadiums are suitable for temporary as well as permanent stadium constructions. Stadiums and arenas built in this manner can be repeatedly adapted to new requirements. These are technically perfected and flexible. They have short installation times and can be just as quickly disassembled again after an event. At unusual sites, like on beaches or in the middle of the city, modular buildings have the advantage of frequently being the only structures to receive a building permit. Here you can view some of our various projects.
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What is the significance of a modular stadium construction for clubs, stadium operators and investors?
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With a modular concept, NUSSLI provides proven solutions that are unique in reference to their flexibility, cost and time input. Modular stadium construction fulfils the highest standards for safety, functionality and architecture. Those who choose to build or extend stadia and arenas modularly enjoy decisive advantages: Modular constructions or extensions based on steel constructions beat any other system in regard to installation speed. In only a few weeks lead time, a response that precisely meets the demands can be made, and the stadiums can be adapted to comply with the corresponding requirements. A further advantage is cost saving: Since the implementation of modules or the complete stadium can be time-limited, costs are only incurred for the actual requirements. The standardization abbreviates planning and building processes and financing costs.
Exhibit Constructions
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Which are the services that NUSSLI provides in Exhibit or Exhibition Construction?
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Our key services in the area of Exhibit Construction are the planning and realization of exhibit stands, pavilions, lightweight halls and exhibition constructions. On request, we assume responsibility for the functionality, quality, cost and delivery of the corresponding construction as General Contractor.
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How is NUSSLI different from other exhibition construction companies?
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We draw our strength from our ability to carry out everything from planning through production and on to assembly in-house. Due to our years of experience and the competence of the Group, NUSSLI can realistically assess project proposals and provide valuable input at an early stage. As a result we can give the project manager rapid feedback in regard to feasibility, costs and scheduling, and thereby guarantee professional implementation of our Exhibition Constructions projects.
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What is the minimum size for a NUSSLI exhibition stand?
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Basically there is no minimum requirement. However, we specialize in the construction of individually designed stands having 100 square meters of usable space and up, and one or more levels, as requested. Find more information âbout our Exhibition Constructions projects.
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Does NUSSLI have a stand construction system?
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Yes, NUSSLI constructs multi-level exhibition stands and pavilions using a flexible construction system made of aluminum, the so-called "Indoor System". It consists of a supporting construction made of aluminum, which can then be fitted with walls made of glass, wood, aluminum or alternatively textile coverings. The system is suitable for indoor areas and - following adaptation - for outdoor buildings.
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Does NUSSLI design its own stands?
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No, NUSSLI’s core competence is in the construction of exhibit stands. For the design we work with a strong network of external design offices on a project-by-project basis. NUSSLI provides support with the development of technical solutions and is responsible for project implementation from start to finish, in accordance with the customer's wishes.
General Contractor
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Does NUSSLI also assume the responsibility of General Contractor?
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Yes, if required NUSSLI will act as General Contractor, taking on the entire execution of a building project for an event – from concept to commissioning – thereby ensuring that it meets your requirements in terms of functionality, quality, cost and scheduling.
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Does a general contractor require a minimum project size?
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No. We can provide customized solutions and creative concepts that are quick to build and cost-effective, whatever the size of the project – be it temporary structures at the Olympic Games, a complete sports facility or a pavilion.
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Does the general contractor also take responsibility for interface management and coordination of all the assembly work?
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As General Contractor we plan, coordinate and execute all stages of the construction for event infrastructures, including technical installations. Interface management and overall coordination are also steered and monitored by the general contracting firm.
Scaffolding
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What scope of service is offered by your scaffolding division?
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Up until the beginning of 2007, NUSSLI has had its own scaffolding department. This has now been outsourced to an independent company. The scaffolding competence is continued by the company xBau AG (www.xbau.ch).









