Oertli Instrumente AG: S-GE's expertise is very valuable to us

Oertli’s quality equipment and instruments are used to treat cataracts, glaucoma and retinal procedures (vitrectomy). The company’s medical products are used in modern, highly specialized clinics even in the most remote areas around the world. Oertli recently opened its 11,000 m2 Lean Factory at its headquarters in Berneck, a development that will allow the medical technology manufacturer to continue to achieve its growth targets. Oertli Instrumente AG received the prestigious Swiss Medtech Award 2024 at Swiss Medtech Day. The company is run by brothers Christoph and Thomas Bosshard from the family’s second generation.

Questions for Thomas Bosshard, Co-CEO Oertli Instrumente AG:

Congratulations on winning the Swiss Medtech Award 2024. It is a fantastic achievement. What makes your company so unique?

Thank you very much! Our company has a special mission: we help people around the world maintain their eyesight. The added value we offer is significant in that we manufacture all our ophthalmic surgical devices, instruments and consumables at the same location. We have mastered it all: development, production and global distribution; assembly, equipment engineering and machining and manufacturing high-precision titanium instruments; and the mass production of sterile disposables. By taking care of everything at our plant in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, we benefit from extremely short supply chains and excellent process control. In addition, our growth has been continuous – not to mention organic – over the last 15 years.

Something interesting that you don’t come across very often is that you share the CEO position with your brother. Where do you see the advantages in this division of labor and what has worked best for you?

In today’s fast-paced working world, it is hugely beneficial to divide responsibilities across multiple people. My brother and I each have different skills that complement each other very well. This allows us to manage the company more effectively together with our Executive Board and exchange ideas that are more diverse overall. Strategically, my brother and I are very similar, but we offer different approaches on how to get where we want to go. This leads to valuable discussions and constructive solutions.

What role do innovation and technology play in the company’s long-term strategy?

Innovation and technology are a cornerstone of our long-term strategy. We understand innovation not only at the product level but can apply it to our entire range of services, value creation processes and manufacturing technologies, as well as to our organizational structures and agile working methods. For us, innovation is the sum of many activities that safeguard our long-term competitiveness, which is why we actively invest in technology and innovation. This is the case even in our highly regulated environment, where incremental developments are particularly important. We also focus strongly on digitalization and the development of new, data-based business models.

How have customer requirements changed in recent years and how has your company responded to them?

Our products have to become more user-friendly. Usability, design and appearance all play a key role here. With surgical devices used in operations becoming increasingly like consumer products in terms of their operation and application, we make sure to develop our products and services very closely with our customers. We also work according to the ‘design thinking’ methodology in close collaboration with users around the world, iterate in short cycles and carry out intensive testing at an early stage of development.

How do you promote a positive and productive corporate culture?

People are attracted to and motivated by meaningful tasks. Giving people the gift of sight is exactly that. Our location in the Rhine Valley also boasts excellent infrastructure and attractive jobs. We are continuing to invest boldly in our company and apply new organizational structures and networking practices – both internally and externally with suppliers, partners and customers. Trust, encouragement, demand and appreciation are key elements of our corporate culture. Our employees are motivated by ambitious goals and opportunities to obtain further qualifications.

Which markets are most important for Oertli Instrumente AG and why? Where do you see opportunities to export your products in the future?

We export to over 90 countries and serve very different markets. Western Europe and the DACH region are critical for consumer goods. We are also seeing major growth in Eastern Europe. India is our largest sales market, followed by China, where we likewise have a strong foothold. Other key markets include South Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Despite various global challenges, we continue to see great potential in the growth markets of India and China. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia is increasingly opening up as an important market in the Middle East.

What role does sustainability play in your corporate strategy?

Sustainability is very important to us, both in a personal sense and for our employees and customers, which is why it is firmly anchored in our mission statement. We develop new products with a strong focus on sustainability, even if we do operate in a regulated environment that places strict demands on patient safety. For us, sustainability goes beyond simply reducing CO2 emissions; it also means being a good employer that creates secure jobs and contributes to regional prosperity.

How can S-GE best support you on your journey of international expansion?

With an export share of over 90%, it is essential for us to have strong partners at our side. S-GE helps us to tap into new markets and reinforce our position in existing ones. S-GE’s expertise is particularly valuable when it comes to challenges such as the renewed rise of trade barriers, such as in China. We benefit greatly from the support we receive in selecting new distribution partners, establishing businesses, leveraging financing solutions, and overcoming export barriers.

Oertli Instrumente AG has been a valued Gold Member since 2019. Why did you decide to become a member of S-GE back then?

Switzerland Global Enterprise is strongly committed to the interests of the Swiss export industry, particularly when it comes to SMEs. We are more than happy to take advantage of this expertise. Engagement at the political level, where our interests are represented, is likewise important to us. These reasons prompted us to become a Gold Member with S-GE.