immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Transactions / Deals

  • Change of ownership to accelerate growth in the geothermal market

    Change of ownership to accelerate growth in the geothermal market

    The investment company Dundee AG has acquired Bohrfix Erdsonden AG, according to a press release. The company is one of the most established and successful independent providers of geothermal probe drilling in Switzerland, with around 240,000 meters drilled annually and 1150 boreholes worldwide.

    With the new owner, the drilling company will have a slightly different management structure. Effective immediately, Hans Rosenberger, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dundee AG, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bohrfix Erdsonden AG. Sascha Jordi will continue to manage the company operationally. Jordi has been a drilling foreman since 1998 and has worked as a project manager at Bohrfix Erdsonden AG since June 2025. Vinzenz Schönenberger will remain Commercial Director and Delegate of the Board of Directors. Despite the change in management structure, all existing employees will be retained. Nothing will change operationally for customers and clients.

    “With the acquisition of Bohrfix Erdsonden AG, we are investing in a company with an excellent market position, an experienced team and great growth potential in the geothermal and renewable energy sector. We are looking forward to this exciting partnership,” Hans Rosenberger is quoted as saying.

    The background to the takeover is the decision by the previous owner Alban Berisha to concentrate fully on the further development of his investment and real estate portfolio. The new owner plans to further develop the market-leading position of Bohrfix Erdsonden AG and also to invest in growth, technology and personnel in the future.

  • Takeover strengthens position in the European energy market

    Takeover strengthens position in the European energy market

    In a press release, BKW announced the acquisition of the French energy company Volterres SAS. Volterres SAS operates a network of over 100 solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants and enables the tracking of electricity flows in real time. Volterres supplies more than 2 terawatt hours of electricity annually to companies and public organisations.

    The acquisition fits seamlessly into BKW’s existing strategy for France. The company had already previously expanded its activities in the country, including a contract to optimise 200 megawatts of battery capacity. BKW also markets numerous third-party wind, solar and battery projects in France and manages an annual renewable production of over 1 terawatt. With Volterres, BKW now covers the entire energy value chain.

    Strategically, the acquisition is an important step within Solutions 2030, according to the press release. With this focus, BKW is concentrating on the Energy Solutions, Power Grid and Infrastructure & Buildings business areas and positioning itself along the entire value chain of the energy transition. The aim is to achieve EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of over CHF 1 billion by 2030. France plays a key role in this.

    “France is a strategically important market for us. With the integration of Volterres, we are strengthening our position not only there, but in the entire European market and are further developing our portfolio of flexible energy solutions,” said Stefan Sewckow, Executive Vice President Energy Markets.

    BKW, based in Bern, is an internationally active energy and infrastructure company. Its range of services extends from engineering and consulting to building technology and the construction and operation of energy and supply grids.

  • Investments strengthen production capacities in the medical technology sector

    Investments strengthen production capacities in the medical technology sector

    The Burgdorf-based medtech company Ypsomed has invested 25 million Swiss francs in the remodelling and construction of a new machine tool park in Solothurn. In order to meet the growing global demand for injection systems and offer customers the highest quality, Ypsomed intends to significantly expand its position and capacity in the production of injection moulds, according to a press release. At the Solothurn site, the company intends to concentrate on the design and manufacture of plastic injection moulds for pens and autoinjectors.

    The commissioning of the mould construction facility marks the start of the implementation of a 200 million Swiss franc investment package to develop the site. Two new high-volume assembly systems with associated injection moulding systems for autoinjectors are to be opened in the coming months. The company has also announced plans to build a fully automated high-bay warehouse at the Solothurn site by the end of 2027. At the same time, a conference centre (Ypsomed Forum) is to be built there with space for around 300 guests. “The investment in the new toolmaking facility in Solothurn is a clear commitment to the development of our sites in Switzerland,” said Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed.

    The company also wants to continue to grow internationally in order to consolidate its position in the medical technology market and meet the increasing demand for injection systems for self-medication. in 2025, Ypsomed opened its first own plant in Changzhou, China, and started the expansion of its production site in Schwerin, Germany. A new site is currently under construction in Holly Springs in the US state of North Carolina.

    The investment also serves to double the number of staff in this area. The current number of 35 employees plus trainees is set to grow to 100 employees and apprentices.

  • Award recognises strong performance in the mortgage business

    Award recognises strong performance in the mortgage business

    Swisschange Financial Services AG, a financial boutique regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), has won the Baloise Broker Award 2026. The prize, awarded by Baloise Bank AG from Solothurn, is based on the parameters of submitted applications, completion rate, financing volume and mortgage portfolio.

    Four out of five mortgage applications submitted by Swisschange lead to a successful conclusion. According to the press release, the mortgage broker achieves this high success rate through careful dossier preparation. Swisschange begins long before the first bank offer with a structured analysis of the financing situation and the selection of a suitable financing partner.

    “This award confirms what we have been practising for years: Genuine buyer representation pays off measurably – for our customers and in a market comparison,” Lester Steinger, CEO and founder of Swisschange, is quoted as saying.

    Swisschange sees itself as a pioneer of independent buyer representation in the Swiss property market. The company has been assisting private clients and entrepreneurs with property, financing and asset decisions since 2003.

  • Cross-border heat supply moves closer to reality

    Cross-border heat supply moves closer to reality

    The Basel-based utility company IWB and Stadtwerke Weil am Rhein are examining the options for a joint, cross-border heat supply. A feasibility study has already demonstrated the technical feasibility of supplying the city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg with heat from Basel from mid-2028, according to a press release.

    The feasibility study has been running since May 2025 and the companies have been sounding out potential consumers for their interest in such a heating network since March 2026. The heat required in the area between the Rhine and the A5 motorway would be supplied by IWB, which should already be 80 percent CO2-neutral by the time of delivery. Once the results are available by the middle of the year, a decision will be made on realisation and possible investment plans, according to the press release.

  • Investment secures funding for a major wind energy project

    Investment secures funding for a major wind energy project

    aventron AG has acquired a significant stake in the Sur Grati wind farm in the canton of Vaud, according to a press release. The wind farm is operated by the project company VOé éole SA. In addition to aventron, the energy supplier SIE SA, based in Crissier (VD), and the Vaud municipalities of Premier, Vallorbe and Vaulion also hold stakes in the company.

    Aventron’s entry finalised the shareholder structure and the financing of the project company. This followed a positive ruling by the Federal Supreme Court in May 2025 regarding the wind farm’s building permits; the wind farm is scheduled to come online at the end of 2027.

    VOé, which has been developing the project for several years, is a regionally based energy supplier and is contributing its local networks. Aventron brings experience in the construction and operation of wind farms in several European countries. “Together, we are realising one of the largest wind energy projects in Switzerland. In doing so, we are supporting the federal government’s energy strategy and strengthening security of supply, particularly in winter,” said Eric Wagner, CEO of Aventron.

    The wind farm is located on the Jura mountain range in northern Vaud and is currently under construction. Six wind turbines with a total capacity of 25.2 megawatts are planned. The facility is expected to produce around 45 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, which corresponds to the demand of approximately 11,000 households. Once completed, Sur Grati is set to be the second-largest wind farm in Switzerland.

  • The Federal Council plans to tighten the rules on property purchases by foreign buyers

    The Federal Council plans to tighten the rules on property purchases by foreign buyers

    On 15 April, the Federal Council launched a consultation on the revision of the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (BewG). According to a press release, the consultation will run until 15 July. The aim is to further restrict access to the Swiss property market.

    The Federal Council justifies the tightening of the so-called Lex Koller, among other things, with the strained situation on the housing market. Consequently, third-country nationals – that is, nationals of countries outside the EU and EFTA – will in future require authorisation to purchase primary residences in Switzerland. If they move away, they will be required to sell their property within two years.

    Stricter rules are also planned for the purchase of commercial property. Whilst purchases for personal use will still be possible without a permit, purely financial investments – such as for letting or leasing – will no longer be permitted.

    In addition, the Federal Council intends to further restrict the purchase of holiday homes and residential units in aparthotels by persons abroad. To this end, the cantonal authorisation quotas are to be reduced and, in future, all such transactions will count towards these quotas.

    It is also proposed that persons abroad should no longer be permitted to acquire listed shares in residential property companies or regularly traded shares in property funds and property SICAVs.

  • Acquisition makes interior fit-out projects more efficient and regionally focused

    Acquisition makes interior fit-out projects more efficient and regionally focused

    Obrist interior AG, based in Lucerne, has announced in a press release that it has acquired the American company Display Craft Manufacturing Co. of Baltimore, Maryland. The acquisition will increase production capacity for the North American market.

    Local manufacturing will make project execution more sustainable and efficient, according to the company, which specialises in high-end shopfitting and interior design. This means fewer transport and freight routes, simpler logistics and packaging, and shorter project lead times. The expansion of market activity in the US is a response to the high demand from luxury and premium brands, which have a strong presence there, for short delivery times, rapid response times and close collaboration with local production partners.

    Corrado Tona, CEO of Obrist Interior America Inc., will take charge of operational management: “We are gaining a strong local team, expanding our manufacturing expertise and getting even closer to our customers. This strengthens our competitiveness and enables us to serve the US market, which we have actively developed in recent years, in an even more targeted manner,” he is quoted as saying. According to owner Stefan Slamanig, the existing presence in the US will be deepened and the Obrist brand strengthened across the entire value chain.

    Display Craft Manufacturing Co. has been a supplier of retail displays and solutions for shopfitting and interior design for more than 75 years. The manufacturing company has 40 employees, who will be integrated “into the values and quality standards of Obrist interior”.

    The acquisition is accompanied by an expansion of capacity, combined with reduced reliance on external suppliers, greater flexibility, cost optimisation and increased strategic resilience. Solutions for customers and projects can be implemented in a more economically and environmentally efficient manner. The new production site also offers opportunities for employees at the Swiss locations.

  • Building Services Group boosts profits and continues to grow

    Building Services Group boosts profits and continues to grow

    According to a press release, the Burkhalter Group has closed the 2025 financial year with “excellent results”. All relevant key performance indicators have once again improved compared with the previous year. The building services provider recorded revenue growth of 1.8 per cent to CHF 1.2 billion, as well as a 6 per cent increase in EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) to CHF 73.8 million and a consolidated profit of CHF 61.3 million (previous year: CHF 57.2 million, up 7.3 per cent). Earnings per share rose to CHF 5.78, representing an increase of 7.2 per cent on the previous year. As a result of this positive performance, the Board of Directors is proposing an increased dividend of CHF 5.20 per share to the Annual General Meeting.

    The drivers of growth are sustained high demand for building services engineering and efficiency gains from optimised and digitalised processes. Targeted acquisitions also contributed to the positive performance. In 2025, the Group acquired Mathieu Ingenieure AG in Visp (VS) and Gattiker Elektro GmbH in Uster (ZH). Four further acquisitions followed at the start of 2026: BZ-Dépannage Sàrl in Lonay, Vaud; Enplan AG in Herisau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden; Elektro Gasser AG in Lalden, Valais; and Caotec SA in Brusio, Graubünden. According to the company, this strengthens the Burkhalter Group’s regional presence, expands its expertise and increases its market share. The acquisition strategy remains a central component of growth.

    The company is confident about the 2026 financial year. Driven by government support programmes and continued high levels of construction activity, demand for energy-efficient building services solutions remains strong. The Group expects to be able to achieve a moderate increase in earnings per share for the 2026 financial year as well.

  • PropTech start-up is driving the digitalisation of property management

    PropTech start-up is driving the digitalisation of property management

    According to a press release, Bewy has received 150,000 Swiss francs in funding from Venture Kick. The Zurich-based proptech start-up is developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software solution for property management that streamlines processes and offers a better service to both landlords and tenants.

    The background to this is widespread inefficiency in property management across the DACH region, as stated in the press release. Poor communication, neglected maintenance, unexpected costs and inadequate tenant services frequently lead to dissatisfaction among owners and tenants. Bewy addresses this through automated internal processes, improved communication and real-time transparency. This is expected to reduce management costs by up to 30 per cent and significantly improve the user experience. The fresh funding is intended to drive the further development of the platform and its scaling within Switzerland. In its expansion, Bewy is pursuing an M&A (Merger & Acquisition) strategy aimed at acquiring small and medium-sized property management firms without a succession plan.

    “As Switzerland’s leading start-up programme, Venture Kick is a significant accelerator for Bewy. The funding process is streamlined and efficient, yet simultaneously opens up access to a valuable network and boosts credibility,” co-founder Luca Serratore is quoted as saying in the press release.

    Bowy currently operates in Zug, Zurich, Aargau and Lucerne and serves a double-digit number of clients, including private individuals, single-family offices and property companies such as Swiss Prime Site. The founding team comprising Luca Serratore, Marcandrea Hunkeler, Gilles Baumann and Katrin Leuppi brings together experience from the fields of start-ups, consultancy and the property sector. The start-up accelerator Venture Kick is an initiative of the Kick Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and is supported by a private-sector consortium.

  • The acquisition is specifically designed to expand our presence in the construction industry

    The acquisition is specifically designed to expand our presence in the construction industry

    The SFS Group, based in Heerbrugg, has acquired Harald Zahn GmbH, headquartered in Wiesloch. According to a press release, by acquiring this specialist in flat roof fastenings from northern Baden-Württemberg, SFS aims to strengthen its market position in the German and Austrian construction industries.

    Founded in 1981, Harald Zahn GmbH develops and manufactures high-quality fastening elements for flat roofs. In 2025, the company generated turnover of €8 million with 45 employees. It will be integrated into SFS’s Fastening Systems segment at its Wiesloch site.

    The SFS Group has a presence in 35 countries across Asia, Europe and North America, with 150 sales and production sites. According to its own figures, it generated turnover of over 3 billion Swiss francs in 2025.

  • Investment supports expansion of decentralised energy infrastructure

    Investment supports expansion of decentralised energy infrastructure

    Youdera Group SA has secured a strategic investment from Amundi Energy Transition. According to a statement, the funds will support the company’s next phase of growth and an implementation plan of around 150 million euros for decentralised energy infrastructure in the European commercial and industrial sector.

    Youdera offers companies energy management, which involves the planning and development, financing, construction and operation of energy systems. The aim is to reduce dependence on the electricity grid, make energy costs more predictable and drive electrification. The offering includes photovoltaic systems, battery storage, building envelope refurbishments, heat pumps and other measures to increase energy efficiency.

    The investment by Amundi Energy Transition, a subsidiary of French asset manager Amundi S.A., offers the opportunity to scale the model across Europe, says Pedro Miranda, CEO and co-founder of Youdera. “In a more volatile world, European companies need to act decisively to remain competitive.”

    Youdera was founded in 2015, is based in Ecublens and has its main site in the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne. Its core markets are Switzerland, Spain and Portugal, but the company sees further growth potential in Europe. “As commercial and industrial customers are looking for more resilient and cost-efficient energy solutions, we are convinced that Youdera is ideally positioned to meet this growing market demand,” says Claire Chabrier, Head of Direct Investments – Private Markets at Amundi.

  • Dormakaba expands in the healthcare sector

    Dormakaba expands in the healthcare sector

    Dormakaba is focussing on further growth in the healthcare sector. The provider of access solutions has reported an increased number of orders from the healthcare sector for the 2025/2026 financial year. According to a press release, dormakaba has secured projects in Norway, Germany and the USA as part of its market entry strategy.

    The Rümlang-based company, which operates worldwide in the field of locking technology, offers solutions for doors, including locks, door fittings, door automation, access control systems and mechanical locking systems, which are reportedly sold in 130 countries.

    In Norway, dormakaba has received an order for 5500 doors as part of the new New Aker hospital project. In the USA, entrance systems are being modernised and maintained and other services provided on behalf of two organisations in the healthcare sector. And in Germany, dormakaba has received an order from the m&i clinic group Enzensberg, which includes access solutions for 4500 doors. The total order volume is in the low double-digit million range.

    “These latest project successes demonstrate the growing demand for secure, efficient and innovative access solutions,” said dormakaba CEO Till Reuter. “These orders further strengthen our position in the healthcare sector and support our growth in this sector.”

  • Insurance group strategically expands its property business

    Insurance group strategically expands its property business

    According to a press release, the Vaudoise Insurance Group, based in Lausanne, has acquired a majority stake in Procimmo Group AG of Renens and now holds 92.27 per cent of the voting rights. Vaudoise Insurance has held a 20 per cent stake in the Procimmo Group since 2021 through its subsidiary Vaudoise Asset Management AG.

    With the acquisition of Procimmo and that of Berninvest AG in 2017, Vaudoise has been able to further expand its real estate activities and, in the words of Jean-Daniel Laffely, CEO of the Vaudoise Group, become one of the key players in investment solutions. “This allows us to further expand an already strong growth area: real estate asset management for third parties,” Jean-Daniel Laffely is quoted as saying.

    Procimmo sees potential for the group’s further development in the “support of an institutional investor that shares its values”; in particular, the subsidiary Procimmo SA stands to benefit from Vaudoise’s “solidity and long-term vision”. According to Arno Kneubühler, CEO of Procimmo SA, Vaudoise is regarded as “the best owner after almost five years of partnership”. Vaudoise’s community roots and values guarantee stability and a sustainable vision. At the same time, Procimmo has the freedom to develop further “as an external platform with its own philosophy and leadership”.

    The closing of the sale is scheduled for early July 2026, subject to prior approval from the relevant authorities.

  • New production facility strengthens international industrial location

    New production facility strengthens international industrial location

    The new global Toblerone competence center in Bern now covers 90 percent of global demand for the iconic triangular chocolate. Guy Parmelin officially inaugurated the expanded plant on March 10. “We are incredibly proud of the new Toblerone production line and the modernization of logistics and infrastructure,” said plant manager Thomas Kauffmann in a press release.

    Mondelēz International, the Chicago-based parent company of Bern-based Mondelez Schweiz Production GmbH and Mondelez Schweiz GmbH in Opfikon, has invested 65 million Swiss francs in the installation of this new, state-of-the-art production line. This is one of the largest investments in the company’s chocolate production network in the past ten years.

    “If there is one product that represents Switzerland worldwide, it is chocolate,” said Parmelin in his speech, according to the press release. “And Toblerone has a very special place among Swiss chocolates.” It is “a symbol of Swiss identity and quality par excellence. Identity and quality. As President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Economic Affairs, I am therefore particularly pleased that around 90 percent of Toblerone production will continue to be made here in Bern on this new production line.”

    Toblerone is exported from Switzerland to more than 120 countries around the world. As Mondelēz emphasizes, the iconic 118-year-old brand is well positioned to grow globally in the premium segment, benefiting from its high brand awareness and leadership position in the World Travel Retail business. “We have always been proud to manufacture here in Switzerland,” said Iain Livingston, President for Toblerone and World Travel Retail. “The investment underlines our strong commitment to the site and is a key milestone on our journey to lead global growth in the premium chocolate segment.”

  • Consumer cooperatives are becoming increasingly important

    Consumer cooperatives are becoming increasingly important

    Following the acquisition of Blockstrom AG, ista swiss ag is now also able to offer billing solutions for self-consumption groups (ZEV). According to a press release, the company acquired the energy service provider Blockstrom on 4 March 2026. The co-managing directors Claudio Wyss, Marcel Lack and Urs Martin Springer will continue to work for the company. The Bern office will remain in place.

    Springer founded Blockstrom in 2017 together with Marcel Lack. The company has developed solutions for communities that generate their own electricity locally and can supply it both to end consumers and to the distribution grid. Springer sees the acquisition primarily as an opportunity for further growth: “The ZEV market has come of age,” he is quoted as saying. “Over the next few years, high volume will be more important than rapid product development. Ista swiss ag is the ideal partner for us to establish our solutions more broadly in the market and scale them further.”

    Blockstrom is committed to a consistently digital approach. According to the company’s own description, this “delivers efficient processes and minimal error rates: all energy consumption is recorded using smart meters, transmitted via the internet, visualised in real time and stored in the cloud.” Blockstrom customers now also have access to ista swiss’s range of services, including billing for water and heating consumption.

    With the acquisition of Blockstrom, ista swiss is further expanding its expertise as a full-service provider of modern integrated energy solutions, according to ista swiss Managing Director Guillaume Dubois. “Property owners and managers gain a single point of contact for all energy-related matters – from metering, billing, monitoring and energy data management to ZEV and electric mobility.”

  • Land belongs to everyone – except SBB owns it itself

    Land belongs to everyone – except SBB owns it itself

    At the end of the 1990s, Parliament separated SBB from the federal government. This gave it the freedom to manage its most valuable asset. Huge plots of land in prime locations throughout Switzerland. There were no clear specifications as to how many apartments should be built and at what prices. The Federal Council merely demanded that the proceeds flow into the pension fund and the railroad infrastructure. This was the birth of a system that is still a source of controversy today.

    3.5 billion for whom?
    Since 2003, CHF 3.5 billion has flowed from the SBB real estate portfolio into the railroad infrastructure. SBB sees this as a contribution to society. Carlo Sommaruga, SP member of the Council of States and President of the Swiss Tenants’ Association, takes a different view. SBB has “almost fully exploited” the financial value of its properties at the expense of the social component. It is particularly offensive that parts of these properties were once expropriated in favor of the former state-owned company.

    Europaallee as a mirror
    The prime example is in the middle of Zurich. A 4-room apartment on Europaallee costs around CHF 5,000 per month. For the tenants’ association, the project has become a symbol of real estate speculation with public land. SBB counters that it is a fair landlord and that its apartments are on average below the market price. But the impression of maximum densification for maximum profits persists.

    Lausanne escalates
    In Lausanne, the conflict is coming to a head. The “La Rasude” project right next to the train station is set to accommodate around 500 residents and 1,200 jobs. However, only 20 percent of the living space is earmarked for moderate rents, even though SBB officially promises to rent out more than half of its apartments at low prices. The result is now almost 1000 objections. Construction work could start in 2029 at the earliest.

    The framework is lacking
    Salomé Mall, Head of Development at SBB Real Estate, emphasizes that the profits are used for rail operations and relieve the burden on the public purse. The argument is understandable, but falls short. As long as there are no legal requirements for housing shares and rents, the orientation towards the common good remains voluntary.

  • When the state becomes an accomplice

    When the state becomes an accomplice

    Two houses, around 5000 square meters, directly on the shores of Lake Aegeri in the canton of Zug. Wüest Partner estimated the value at CHF 27 million. The property was sold in 2017 for CHF 16 million, around CHF 3300 per square meter. At the same time, comparable properties changed hands for between 6,000 and 13,500 francs.

    A bargain or a crooked deal
    The owner had made provisions. Her property was part of a holding structure. 45 percent to each child, 10 percent to the granddaughter. But the brother acted behind his sister’s back. The sale was sealed in less than 100 days, without a public tender, without a bidding process, without the sister’s consent. She found out about it a month after the contract was signed and immediately filed a criminal complaint.

    When 9 million finds no explanation
    The buyer paid 16 million and received an unsecured loan of up to 25 million from Zuger Kantonalbank, a difference of 9 million. Internally, the bank valued the property significantly higher than the purchase price would suggest.
    Today, the buyer is in the dock for money laundering. He is said to have known that the sale was based on serious injustice.

    When a commission remains silent
    The case grew beyond the courtroom. In the summer of 2025, the Zug Cantonal Council set up a PUK to investigate the role of the cantonal government. The focus was on faulty land register inspections. The notary responsible pushed the matter forward without any legal grounds for recusal and evaded the crucial questions during questioning.

    When justice takes time
    Nine days of hearings until the end of March. Presided over by Judge Svea Anlauf. A verdict in June at the earliest. The presumption of innocence applies to all defendants.

    Lake Aegeri glistens. What comes to light in the courtroom during these weeks could keep the canton of Zug busy for a long time to come.

  • Temporary construction specialist expands into the Western Balkans

    Temporary construction specialist expands into the Western Balkans

    Hüttwilen-based Nüssli has opened its own office in the Serbian capital Belgrade. With this initiative, the company, which specialises in temporary structures, aims to expand its presence in the Western Balkans. According to a press release, the office opening also serves to prepare for Expo 2027, which will take place in Belgrade from 15 May to 15 August 2027.

    The theme of Expo 2027 will be: Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All. With its experienced teams, Nüssli offers to support countries and organisations as a comprehensive partner from the conception to the realisation of pavilions and projects. The Thurgau-based company offers pavilion architecture, exhibition design and special solutions such as façade designs, sculptures and exhibits that can showcase countries’ presentations visually and spatially.

    Nüssli was responsible for five country pavilions at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Four of them received the Official Participant Awards from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) at the end of the Expo.

  • Telecommunications provider strengthens regional digital infrastructure

    Telecommunications provider strengthens regional digital infrastructure

    Datapark AG, based in Wil, has been part of EKT Holding AG, based in Arbon, since 23 February. The Thurgau-based energy supplier is also considering a merger with EKT and the integration of Datapark into its Digital Services division. The eleven jobs in Wil will be retained.

    As an internet service provider, Datapark has its own backbone as part of the internet in eastern Switzerland. It offers services for cable network operators, including network planning, internet connectivity, site networking and customer management systems.

    Datapark was founded in 1997 by André Otto and taken over by Martin Kaiser in 2020. With the takeover of the company by EKT Holding, Kaiser is now arranging his own succession. “The integration into the EKT Group offers several positive factors,” he is quoted as saying in the announcement. “On the one hand, we can further expand our strengths in operations, network technology and specialised solutions, and on the other hand, we benefit from the strong market position of the EKT Group. Together, we are creating an even more powerful, regionally anchored digital offering for our customers.”

    Andreas Plüer welcomes Datapark to the EKT Group. “With this long-established company, we are gaining a partner that has been setting standards in network technology, operations and customer service in eastern Switzerland for years,” the head of EKT’s Digital Services business unit is quoted as saying in the press release. Following the takeover, the EKT Group now employs 200 people.

  • Startup accelerates engineering simulations with AI

    Startup accelerates engineering simulations with AI

    Hardware development and material testing today rely heavily on physics-based simulations for design, validation and production. These calculations often take hours or days and incur high costs, which delays projects and pushes back production launches. Engineers therefore often reduce model complexity to shorten calculation times, at the expense of accuracy and proximity to real operating conditions.

    Physics-aware AI for faster workflows
    Fainite is developing a physics-aware AI platform that speeds up and simplifies existing simulation workflows. The engine learns from physics-based simulations and can derive accurate predictions without relying on large historical data sets. Engineers set up new workflows in minutes, run simulations much faster and can intelligently reuse previous results, even with limited amounts of data. An integrated AI agent guides them through complex steps, suggests settings and makes advanced analyses usable for broader teams.

    cHF 150,000 for scaling and market entry
    The CHF 150,000 from the Venture Kick programme will be used to expand the technology to additional engineering disciplines and use cases and to build a scalable platform with next-generation functionalities. At the same time, the funds will strengthen the team structure and go-to-market activities in order to accelerate deployment at industrial companies. The company is thus addressing around 9 million hardware engineers worldwide whose work is currently slowed down by slow, complex simulation processes.

    Founding team with physics and AI expertise
    The start-up was founded by researchers and engineers from Caltech, ETH Zurich, the University of Cambridge and Google, including CEO Alex Donzelli, Chief Scientist Prof Burigede Liu and ML Lead Matthias Bonvin. The team is complemented by former executives from established simulation software manufacturers, bringing together in-depth expertise in deep learning, computational physics and industrial simulation platforms. According to Alex Donzelli, Venture Kick’s funding, feedback and network have been instrumental in moving quickly from technical validation to the first industrial applications.

  • Direct real estate strategies for family offices and investors

    Direct real estate strategies for family offices and investors

    Blacklake has founded Blacklake Investment Partners AG in Zug. Its aim is to provide real estate investors and family offices with direct access to real estate opportunities in Europe that are identified beyond traditional market offerings. “Blacklake Investment Partners focuses on real estate opportunities across Europe that are not accessible to the broader market due to their complexity or special circumstances,” said Christoph Schumacher, founding partner and new CEO of Blacklake Investment Partners, in a statement published by the investor portal “Trading View”.

    The business model covers all phases of the investment cycle, from analysis and transaction to the implementation of exit scenarios. The target group includes Swiss, German and international private clients, single and multi-family offices, and (semi-)professional investors. The founding team combines international investment, consulting and corporate management expertise, including at Credit Suisse, Swissair, Union Investment, KPMG and Ernst & Young Real Estate.

    The Zug-based company is affiliated with the Blacklake Group via Hamburg-based Blacklake GmbH and positions itself specifically as an interface between investment opportunities and capital. According to the information provided, the group has reorganised, repositioned, refinanced and transacted real estate and real estate financing with a transaction volume of around €3 billion for German clients since the end of 2022.

  • Heating network in Aargau to undergo strategic development

    Heating network in Aargau to undergo strategic development

    AEW will take over the Hägglingen Zinsmatten heating network from the municipality of Hägglingen on 1 May, according to a press release. “We are delighted to continue providing reliable heating to the customers of the Hägglingen Zinsmatten heating network and to work together to develop the plant in a sustainable manner,” said Daniel Wernli, Head of Heat Production at AEW.

    The heating network, which has been in operation since 2007, supplies heat to 30 properties. Wood chips are used as the primary energy source. The plant’s wood boiler has an output of 450 kilowatts, and an oil boiler is also available. AEW estimates the average annual energy consumption at around 1,100 megawatt hours.

    With the Hägglingen Zinsmatten heating network, AEW now operates a total of 78 such plants in the canton of Aargau and neighbouring regions. The production capacity is more than 240 gigawatt hours per year, supplying a total of 17,000 households.

  • Swiss speciality chemicals drive expansion in the sealant market

    Swiss speciality chemicals drive expansion in the sealant market

    Sika has announced the acquisition of Akkim, a Turkish company specialising in adhesives and sealants. The Zug-based specialty chemicals group aims to expand its customer reach and strengthen its market position in the global adhesives and sealants industry. According to a statement, the acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

    Akkim, based in Istanbul with two production facilities in Turkey and Romania, distributes adhesives and sealants for the construction sector via a wide-ranging customer network. Established distribution channels in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa enable it to serve a broadly diversified customer base. According to the announcement, net sales in 2025 amounted to the equivalent of CHF 220 million.

    Sika expects the greater geographical reach to provide significant growth opportunities. “The acquisition will enable Sika to establish a highly efficient production and export hub for sales-oriented adhesives and sealants, which will support long-term growth in this segment,” the statement said.

    Sika also intends to use Akkim’s additional expertise and broad network to expand its e-commerce business and offer complementary products such as repair mortars and sealing solutions through cross-selling.

  • Investor joins circular building materials developer

    Investor joins circular building materials developer

    Medley Ventures from Copenhagen is participating in a pre-Series A financing round for the building materials manufacturer Oxara, based in Dietikon. Medley Ventures is the venture capital fund of the founders ofTo Good To Go, an initiative against food waste. According to a press release, the investor is convinced by the combination of technological innovation, industrial scalability and real-world applicability.

    Oxara replaces CO2-intensive cement with circular binders generated from recyclable and previously unused construction waste. The company’s products can be easily integrated into conventional construction operations, according to the press release. Oxara intends to use the fresh capital to accelerate product development, certification pathways and industrial partnerships, enabling a broader market launch in Switzerland and international markets.

    “What convinced us was the vision behind Oxara: engineering excellence, real industrial impact and credible hope for a better future in construction. By making cement redundant and turning waste into a valuable resource, they are demonstrating that innovation can change the way we build,” Mathias Christensen, co-founder and CEO of Medley Ventures, is quoted as saying in the press release. Gnanli Landrou, CEO and co-founder of Oxara, sees the financing as strong endorsement from a company that is effectively committed to sustainability.

    As part of a Series A financing round, Oxara aims to raise CHF 20 million in fresh capital by March 2026.

  • New plants strengthen supply chains in growth markets

    New plants strengthen supply chains in growth markets

    Sika is manufacturing its products for the construction industry at five additional plants. According to its announcement, the specialty chemicals company, headquartered in Baar, sees this as an important step towards increasing production capacity and further strengthening its global supply chain in key growth markets.

    Sika has opened a new plant for concrete admixtures in Haines City, Florida. According to the information provided, the factory has the highest level of automation of all Sika admixture sites in the United States.

    In Puerto Tirol in the Argentine region of Chaco, Sika has inaugurated its eighth production facility in the South American country. After “several challenging years,” the local construction market has returned to a growth path, opening up new opportunities for Sika.

    In the Colombian city of Cali, a new factory produces mortar, tile adhesive, interior wall and acrylic coatings, and concrete admixtures. Production there will also be exported. Sika will also gain a foothold in the construction market in Bangladesh with a site in Narayanganj, benefiting from an estimated annual growth rate of over 7 per cent until 2029.

    In the Tanzanian city of Mwanza, Sika is banking on its location in an important and densely populated mining area. Accordingly, Sika produces special mortars for mining and construction, mortars, concrete admixtures and grinding aids for cement plants there. Sika serves local demand with the plant and exports to Burundi, Rwanda and the Congo.

  • New high-rise project boosts housing supply near the station

    New high-rise project boosts housing supply near the station

    Pensimo Management AG, based in Zurich, has acquired a building site from ABB in Oerlikon through its investment foundations Turidomusand Pensimo. According to a press release, the company plans to build a complex with 500 apartments, including a high-rise building and commercial premises, on the north side of Oerlikon railway station on the newly designed Max-Frisch-Platz.

    “We are very pleased with the acquisition of this property,” said Stefanie Krautzig, transaction manager at Pensimo, in the press release. “This is a very rare investment opportunity for a development project of this size in such a central location.” The building regulations for Neu-Oerlikon, which were partially revised in 2022, provide a good basis for planning and developing the area. “In order to evaluate an architectural solution for this central and prominent location that is attractive to the public and future residents, we will launch a competition among teams of planners,” said Krautzig.

    Construction is expected to begin in 2029. The seller, ABB, is also pleased with the sale of the former industrial site and is convinced that “this will contribute to the further development of Zurich Oerlikon into a lively and diverse neighbourhood,” said Nora Teuwsen, Chair of the Executive Board of ABB Switzerland.

  • Growth strategy in the building technology market continues

    Growth strategy in the building technology market continues

    The Burkhalter Group, a full-service provider of cross-trade building technology, is acquiring Enplan AG, which specialises in the planning of heating and ventilation systems and efficient energy concepts. The company has been operating in the regional market since 1984, employs five people and generates annual sales of around CHF 0.6 million.

    Enplan AG will be merged with Längle & Staub GmbH in St. Gallen, which belongs to the Burkhalter Group, and will continue to operate at its current location as Enplan, a branch of Längle & Staub GmbH. All employees will be retained.

    Secondly, the Burkhalter Group is acquiring Elektro Gasser AG, which has been active in the electrical and telecommunications (ICT) sectors since 1991. The company employs seven people and generates annual sales of around CHF 2 million. Elektro Gasser AG will be gradually integrated into TZ Stromag, which belongs to the Group. At the same time, a branch of TZ Stromag will be established at the Lalden site under the name Gasser Elektro ICT, while Elektro Gasser AG will continue to operate as an independent company until further notice.

    With these acquisitions, the Burkhalter Group is continuing its growth strategy. It provides services in the fields of heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning, sanitation and electrical engineering and is headquartered in Zurich.

  • Chief Financial Officer temporarily takes over operational management

    Chief Financial Officer temporarily takes over operational management

    There has been a change at the top of the Griesser brand: Stefan Leitner has taken over as interim CEO. The former CFO of the Griesser Group, which specialises in sun protection solutions, succeeds Urs Neuhauser, who is leaving the company by mutual agreement on 12 January 2026, as the Griesser Group announced in a statement. “Urs Neuhauser has accompanied the company over the past seven years and helped shape various developments. We would like to thank him for this,” said Walter Strässle, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Stefan Leitner will receive support from Strässle and representatives of the owner family. This will ensure continuity and stability in the management team, according to the press release.

    The interim solution marks the start of the succession process. The process of finding a replacement has already begun. In the meantime, Griesser will continue to focus on the further development of sun protection solutions, proximity to customers and sustainable growth in existing and new markets in the production of sun protection solutions.

    According to the company, its 140-year history is the result of a pioneering spirit, quality and long-term thinking. Building on this, the family-owned company is looking to the future with confidence.

  • ABB cashes in and Oerlikon builds

    ABB cashes in and Oerlikon builds

    ABB is selling a site of around 7,000 square meters near Zurich-Oerlikon railroad station to real estate service provider Pensimo. The sale will result in an operating gain on disposal of around CHF 290 million before taxes in the first quarter of 2026. ABB no longer needs the site as a strategic land reserve and is taking this step to enable the further development of the Neu-Oerlikon district.

    Around 500 apartments, a high-rise building and commercial space are planned for the site. Over the next few years, the former industrial area is to be transformed into a mixed-use district with housing, services, workplaces and cultural and commercial facilities. Due to high land prices, rents are expected to be rather high. At best, individual apartments at cost rents are conceivable, for example as part of a densified site development.

    New ABB headquarters in Oerlikon
    ABB is expanding its presence in Oerlikon at the same time as selling the land. The Group is planning a new headquarters in the immediate vicinity, into which around 500 employees are expected to move in 2031. The project comprises a renovated, listed existing building and a new six-storey timber composite construction designed by Christ & Gantenbein.

    With a gross floor area of around 10,800 square meters, modern working environments including an auditorium, lounge and cafeteria, foyer and exhibition area as well as recreation and fitness areas will be created. The investment volume is around 80 million Swiss francs. ABB CEO Morten Wierod emphasizes the company’s commitment to Switzerland and the city of Zurich. Mayor Corine Mauch speaks of an even more “colorful and lively” district around Oerlikon station in the future.

    Strong final quarter of 2025
    ABB made significant operational gains in the final quarter of 2025. Comparable sales rose by 9 percent to 9.05 billion US dollars. Order intake developed particularly dynamically, increasing by 32 percent on a comparable basis to USD 10.32 billion, exceeding the USD 10 billion mark in a quarter for the first time.

    The operating EBITA margin improved from 16.6% to 17.6%, while adjusted net profit rose by 29% to USD 1.27 billion. For the full year 2025, net profit increased to USD 4.73 billion, around 20% more than in the previous year. The dividend is to be increased from CHF 0.90 to CHF 0.94 per share; at the same time, ABB is announcing a further share buyback program.

    Outlook and new buyback program
    For the first quarter of 2026, ABB expects comparable sales growth of 7 to 10 percent and a further increase in the margin. For the year as a whole, management expects growth of 6 to 9 percent and slightly higher profitability. Analysts see particularly strong drivers in the data center business and in the Electrification division, where orders increased by around a third.

    In addition, ABB is launching a new share buyback program with a volume of up to USD 2 billion, which is scheduled to run until January 27, 2027. A previous program of up to 1.5 billion US dollars has expired. This strengthens the attractiveness of the share and signals confidence in the company’s own earning power.

    ABB share at record level
    The figures and outlook were rewarded with price gains on the stock market. ABB shares rose by 8.46 percent to 66.38 Swiss francs, reaching a new all-time high of 67.22 Swiss francs. The strong order intake, the improved margin, the increased dividend and the larger share buyback program clearly exceeded the previously cautious expectations.

    For the Zurich-Oerlikon site, the combination of the sale of land, the construction of the new Group headquarters and the planned development of the district means a significant structural change. From an industrial site to a dense, urban residential and working district, with high investments, but also with the prospect of further rising rents.