Switzerland Interviews

The Swiss Model for Medtech Innovation

Swiss-based Medacta leads the charge in redefining orthopedics Switzerland has a distinguished reputation as a global leader in medical technology (medtech). Renowned for its unwavering commitment to pioneering solutions, the Swiss medtech ecosystem stands as a testament to a rich heritage of innovation. Fueled by a blend of academic prowess, governmental support, and industry dynamism,…
Transforming Global Education

Singularity Academy: a humanity-centered hybrid research and educational institute Singularity Academy believes in humanity’s boundless potential and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Embracing its mission to help singularity members identify their humanity-centered singular growth path, the Academy has emerged as a vanguard in the field of novel education, reshaping conventional paradigms and nurturing the minds…
Switzerland is a Global Innovation and Technology Leader

Interview: Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) An increasing number of American technology companies are setting up offices in Switzerland including well-known giants such as Google, Microsoft, eBay and Biogen. Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO of Switzerland’s official trade and investment promotion organization, explains why. What are the strengths of Switzerland as business…
Luxury Aviation

Privately owned and chartered aircraft arrive to Davos symbolizing a thriving sector With Richard Gaona at the helm, Comlux has transformed as a Swiss-based service provider in the fields of business aviation, transaction and completion services, into a diversified global operation continuing to rapidly expand. Gaona is committed to continuously setting new standards in the…
Interview: Lars Van Der Haegen, CEO, Belimo

Belimo is the leading global manufacturer of innovative actuators, valves and sensor solutions to control heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. How do you assess Switzerland’s business ecosystem? Switzerland is an effective business location from an administration point of view. The business-friendly environment facilitates global networking and offers excellent access to the European market. An…
IMD: leading the way in executive education

A conversation with Professor Jean-François Manzoni, President of IMD and Nestlé Chaired Professor January 23, 2020 Switzerland is a small but unique country that punches above its weight in many categories including business, education and innovation. One Swiss institution at the intersection of all three is the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the partner…
Leading in Fundamental Scientific Research

Interview: Prof. Dr. Christian Leumann, Rector, University of Bern How do you assess Swiss education? Switzerland is known for its quality, and academia is no exception. Most Swiss universities are ranked within the top 1% globally. Switzerland’s education system has several advantages, including the dual education system, which allows the population to pursue different successful…
Strengthening Swiss-American Relations

With informal conversations surrounding a free trade agreement, the bilateral relationship has much to gain What are the Swiss economy’s strengths? Switzerland has proven itself very resilient in the face of multiple global economic downturns. Our federal government has been working with a budget surplus for the past 12 years, before COVID-19, and the debt-to-GDP…
A Digital Backbone

January 23, 2020 Switzerland as a nation is known as a trailblazer, having accomplished many firsts across a variety of sectors, including telecommunications. Switzerland is the world’s largest investor in telecommunications infrastructure per capita, thanks to the nation’s leading telecommunications provider, Swisscom. Within the competitive telecommunications market, Swisscom has managed to retain its market…
Engineering Innovative Technologies

Interview: Roland Fischer, CEO, Oerlikon Oerlikon creates new innovative solutions to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges. With their engineering technology, they can give products improved and more desirable functions. These applications are specially designed for growth sectors, and utilized across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, energy, tooling and additive manufacturing. Is global digitization…
Interview: Martin Sauter, CEO, Sauter Bachmann

Based in the Canton of Glarus lies Sauter Bachman, an indigenous family owned success story with nearly 100 years of history. The Swiss precision manufacturing company produces multifaceted high-quality gears, gearboxes and complex systems for customers in industry and aerospace. GE Aviation, Pratt Whitney and other USA clients rely on Sauter Bachman as a crucial…
Discover the Canton of Glarus

A hidden gem in Switzerland, Glarus offers Swiss benefits at a cost advantage One hour outside Zurich lies the Canton of Glarus, a picturesque, business friendly industrial region within the Greater Zurich Area. It is home to award winning tourism destinations and wonders such as the geologic UNESCO world heritage site of the Tectonic Arena…
Interview: Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich

January 23, 2020 Founded in Geneva in 1895, Firmenich is the world’s largest privately-owned company in the perfume and taste business. It has designed many of the world’s best-known perfumes and tastes. The ingredients created by Firmenich are utilized by four billion consumers daily around the world. Firmenich invests 10% of its USD 3.7 billion…
The Future of Work

January 23, 2020 A conversation with CEO of The Adecco Group, Alain Dehaze, who promises to continue to make the future work for everyone. Switzerland is home to a unique labor market that has gained a world renowned reputation for excellence, innovation, and continues to surprise with its qualified youth. How has Switzerland fostered such…
Closing the innovation gap

Viewpoint: Marco Huwiler, Country Managing Director, Accenture Switzerland When the world economy catches a cold, Switzerland sneezes. Following weak global growth, Switzerland is feeling the sniffles, with stagnant GDP and a collapse in profitability in recent years. But there is wisdom in the old saying “starve a fever, feed a cold”. Companies with the courage…