Reports + factsheets

Beck Automation AG, headquartered in Zurich’s Limmattal, develops innovative automation solutions for the plastics processing industry. The family-owned company from Oberengstringen is one of the world’s leading providers in the field of in-mold labeling. One way that Beck Automation AG maintains contact with international customers is by regularly participating in trade fairs.

Eugen Seitz AG is a family-owned company specializing in valve technology with a total of 120 employees. The high-tech components from Wetzikon are used in six industrial sectors worldwide. As a world market leader, Seitz supports its customers in reducing their environmental impact during the production of PET bottles. Seitz’ valves, which make hydrogen filling stations safer and more efficient, place them at the cutting-edge of areas of sustainability. In order to gain a foothold in Korea, Seitz and Switzerland Global Enterprise successfully searched for distribution partners for their hydrogen filling station applications.

The Helbling Group supports companies with product innovation and development. It also advises companies on the development of strategies, innovations, M&A, and potential for cost savings. Its focuses are the sectors of household appliances, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, apparatus and laboratory equipment, transportation, machinery, and plant construction. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, with subsidiaries in Germany, Poland, the US, and China, and employs more than 600 people. Dr. Urban Schnell, Managing Director at Helbling Technik and Partner of the Helbling Group, talks about his experiences with internationalization in Poland.

For 43 years, ANDERSEN Genève has been offering exceptional watches to an international clientele. Each year, around 50 watches are custom made in Switzerland in its workshops in Geneva and La Chaux-de-Fonds, where know-how, excellence and creativity are perpetuated. Pierre-Alexandre Aeschlimann, President and CEO of the company, travels the world, including Japan, to make the connection between “his” watches and the enthusiasts who wear them.

Früh Verpackungstechnik AG in Fehraltorf in the canton of Zurich has been solving the most demanding packaging issues for more than 40 years. In order to better serve important customers in the medical technology sector, the company is currently setting up a second production facility in the US state of Pennsylvania. S-GE and Swiss Business Hub USA assisted Früh Verpackungstechnik AG in its search for the optimal location and a suitable building.

Several SMEs spanning a variety of sectors are involved in the expansion of a holiday resort in Uzbekistan. Some of these SMEs are exporting for the first time, and this has been made possible by an insurance policy from SERV.

The Egyptian government is totally refurbishing its textile factories, a process in which the Swiss textile machinery industry is also playing a part. SERV is supporting the project with complex ECA cover, its expertise and its presence in negotiations with local partners.

For the fifth time in a row, Switzerland is taking part in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Under the motto "swisstech for extended Worlds", 25 young Swiss companies will be showcasing their trendsetting innovations from 5 - 8 January 2023. Switzerland Global Enterprise and Presence Switzerland are organizing Switzerland's presence at this important trade fair - also with the aim of positioning Switzerland as the world's leading location for innovation and technology.

The technical information model ETIM is now also being introduced in Australia and New Zealand. The start of the implementation of the classification standard, which enables technical product data to be exchanged internationally between manufacturers, distributors and customers, was announced by the employer organization Ai Group at the end of July 2022. This simplifies business for Swiss exporters from the construction and MEM industries.

ANAXAM is a technology transfer center that enables industry to benefit from state-of-the-art analytical methods using neutron and synchrotron radiation (X-rays). This involves analysis of materials far beyond the laboratory scale. At the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in the Canton of Aargau in Switzerland, the center enables the use of these technologies, which were originally developed for basic research, but are now also available for industrial challenges.

The EU and the US have announced the suspension of US steel and aluminum punitive tariffs as well as all EU countermeasures. Tariff-free quotas are being introduced in their place. The new regulations will apply starting January 1, 2022.

Home to the world’s largest shipbuilders in terms of orders, South Korea boasts technological expertise in high value-added ships and is very keen to collaborations with technology-driven startups and companies abroad. The Swiss Business Hub Korea will host a Swiss Pavilion at KORMARINE, one of the world’s leading maritime exhibitions and highlight up-to-date Swiss technologies, startups and companies.

Coat-X has entered a strategic partnership with Japanese company OSG Coating Services. This will allow the start-up to further develop its customer base and technologies, as well as benefiting from a privileged access to the Asian market.

Lausanne-based Almatech and Tokyo’s e5.lab Inc have entered a partnership to promote and market a revolutionary zero-emission maritime shuttle, dubbed ZESST, on the Japanese market.

Lausanne-based Almatech and Tokyo’s e5.lab Inc have entered a partnership to promote and market a revolutionary zero-emission maritime shuttle, dubbed ZESST, on the Japanese market.

Align Technology is a leading medical device company in the dental industry with headquarters in California and over 17,000 employees worldwide. It has set the bar for leadership and change in dental industry by constantly innovating to bring new and better solutions to doctors and their patients. To further expand and develop their products, the company moved its regional headquarters from Amsterdam to Rotkreuz. The new office with over 150 employees opened in January 2020 and will also serve as R&D hub.

Switzerland will be participating in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for the third time in a row. From January 11-14, 2021, Switzerland Global Enterprise will accompany 23 Swiss start-ups to one of the world's most important consumer electronics trade fairs. As part of the SwissTech campaign, the companies will showcase their innovations to a global audience and represent Switzerland as the world's leading location for innovation and technology.

The “Ex-Tarifário” is an initiative of the Brazilian government created to reduce the import tax, applicable to products that do not have a national similar and that meet certain criteria. In this way, it encourages imports by facilitating access to innovative foreign solutions in the local market and protecting local suppliers of similar solutions in Brazil.

In the wake of the COVID-19 crises, the government of India has introduced several measures to boost domestic manufacturing and protect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from foreign competition. Further, Indian government has explicitly demonstrated that its future policies and measures on trade will focus on its new self-reliant India (Aatma Nirbhar) policy.

Symop* estimates that the demand for machine tools should increase by approximately 4% over the next few years. France is driven by a catch-up in its investments because of the economic difficulties in the Eurozone and the introduction of a measure of over-depreciation of 40% on investments of SMEs in technologies.

The Müller Group from Münchenstein (BL) has successfully set up a joint venture in India. By taking this strategic decision, the manufacturer of industrial packaging as well as handling and processing solutions is responding to the new needs of its customers.

With the signing of USMCA trade agreement, stability returns to the Mexican automotive industry. Strong foreign investments, a growing vehicle output (3.9 Mio in 2018) and 800 k skilled and competitively salaried employees explain the 21 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) producing in Mexico.

Leica Geosystems is a leading provider of measurement solutions for spatial information, which are produced with Swiss technology. Today, the company creates complete solutions for professionals around the world. Leica Geosystems enlisted the support of S-GE to clarify the market situation in Argentina.

Five new procedures for application will be opened in 2019 under Operational Programme "Innovation and Competitiveness". In the period 2019-2020 Swiss companies can participate in tender procedures for delivering machinery, equipment and specialized software to Bulgarian enterprises for for about 400 million euros.

Chile’s multi-billion-dollar mining sector wants to become greener: great opportunities for Swiss energy, water, waste, mobility and automation providers. What should companies pay attention to during market entry?

Buss AG Pratteln’s core competence is mechanical engineering. Their mixing and kneading systems are used worldwide for plastics processing. The secret of its success lies in its export business, which is set to receive another boost in Poland, thanks in part to the help of Switzerland Global Enterprise.

The origins of Dixi Cylindre SA, based in Le Locle (NE), go back to 1924. Established to manufacture parts for the watchmaking industry, Cylindre SA’s turning workshop was acquired by the Dixi group in 1959. Over time, the company expanded and obtained several certifications. In 2018 it was able to establish a long-term partnership with a French medical technology company thanks to EEN.

Turkmenistan has always played and still plays a key role in the Great Silk Road Area. Two significant events took place on the Turkmen Shore of the Caspian Sea recently, which will enable Turkmenistan to be a valuable participant of the New Silk Road and an attractive investment, trade and business destination for Swiss companies.

Since 1 July 2014, Switzerland has been the only continental European country to have signed a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with China. In the FTA’s fifth year, the University of St.Gallen, the Chinese University of International Business and Economics, and the Nanjing University have joined forces to analyse its economic impact for the first time.

In order to promote security and efficiency, the company will launch bidding for contractors to install doors in 36 stations. The estimated cost is around 70 million Brazilian reais (approx. 18 million Swiss francs). The project will be implemented over a period of 56 months.

The EU Commission has taken provisional protective measures for certain steel products. 23 categories of goods are subject to new import quotas. These measures of the European Union also affect products of Swiss origin.

Gabriella Meyer has been managing Bioengineering AG since 2009; it develops and produces fermentation systems for the pharmaceutical industry with around 170 employees from Wald. Bioengineering AG has been active in Korea since 1990. The company has now established a local branch with the help of S-GE. Since then, cultural closeness and communication with clients has improved.

In recent years, Mexico has become a key destination for investment in several industries, but the Automotive is one of the most important for the Mexican Economy, accounting for the 3.1% of the country’s GDP and 18.3% of its manufacturing GDP in 2016.

Poland is the sixth largest producer and the world's fourth largest exporter of furniture. The most important buyers are in Western Europe. The industry has set itself the goal of strengthening this position in the coming years. This requires increases in productivity and capacities, which is excellent news for Swiss technology providers.

The domestic industrial manufacturing sector is one of the most dynamic in the European Union and presents numerous opportunities for Swiss suppliers.

In recent years, the Russian government has been using import substitution and localization of foreign firms’ production in an attempt to strengthen domestic production and reduce dependency on exports of raw materials. A new decree is now extending the criteria to be met for attainment of the “made in Russia” status and is already tightening up existing localization regulations. Exporting Swiss SMEs need a special strategy for Russia.

The world leader in gear engineering and technology inaugurated a new facility in Studen, in the canton of Bern, on April 19th.

For current major projects such as the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, the Koralm Tunnel and the Semmering Base Tunnel, there are ongoing opportunities for Swiss companies to contribute their expertise.

Officially inaugurated in September 2017, FABLAB Biel/Bienne is a unique, fully equipped innovation space for private individuals, start-ups and SMEs. They can use the facility to simply share ideas, or implement their own projects with prototypes or small production runs.

The liberalization of the railway sector in Spain offers Swiss companies interesting opportunities in the national market. Manufacturers and technology providers can benefit from the forthcoming scenario of the industry.

Following the current trend of Industry 4.0, Brazilian agribusiness sector – 30% of the country’s GDP – is becoming digital and is opening diverse opportunities for Swiss companies with innovative tools and solutions.

According to the European Patent Office (EPO)’s recently published annual report, the number of patent applications from Switzerland reached a new high of 7,283 in 2017. With 884 patent applications per one million inhabitants, Switzerland continues to be the undisputed leader.

Eva Jaisli is co-owner and CEO of the Emmental-based tool manufacturer, which has been exporting since the 1960s. She offers three tips on how SMEs can grow internationally between protectionism and globalization here.

More than 10 procedures for application will open in 2018 under the "Operational Programme Innovation and Competitiveness 2014-2020". Swiss companies can participate in tender procedures for delivering machinery, equipment and specialized software to Bulgarian enterprises for more than 300 million euros.

The airline wants to become the best airline in the world again, and is relying on digitization to achieve this goal. In a New Year message, CEO Goh Choon Phong told employees that digital innovations and capabilities are to be given a boost. Singapore Airlines also wants to work with external partners and startups.

The new head of Swiss Business Hub Japan, Claudio Mazzucchelli, wants to take advantage of new opportunities related to the increasing speed of digitalization in Japan for Swiss exports to Japan and Japanese investments in Switzerland. In the interview with the SCCIJ, the Swiss emphasized that the existing potential in Japan for Swiss exporters would be considerable due to the excellent quality and reliability reputation of Swiss products and services in Japan. Mr. Mazzucchelli also outlined the current challenges of his new job and compared his work experiences in China and South Korea with his first impressions of Japan.

Regloplas AG from St.Gallen specializes in the development and production of tempera-ture control devices and is the global leader in its niche market. A globally active and continually growing company, it places a clear focus on product innovation and techno-logical superiority. The recipe for success reads: keep on developing, but keep your feet on the ground and stay close to your customers.

According to the Korean Ministry of Food, Drugs and Security (MFDS), special registration requirements apply for all industrial parts and machines that come into direct contact with food. Swiss companies must take note of these when exporting to Korea.