immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: Company

  • Digital solution makes progress on greenhouse gases visible

    Digital solution makes progress on greenhouse gases visible

    The Zurich-based company Integrale Planung GmbH(Intep) has launched a new emissions tracker designed to make it much easier for SMEs to get started with carbon footprinting, according to a press release. The web-based tool also visualises the results and enables a multi-year comparison. The aim is to make progress clearly visible and measurable.

    The Emission Tracker is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and covers all three scopes, including indirect emissions along the value chain. The emission factors have been scientifically validated and are updated regularly. Activity and emissions data that Intep was able to collect during its project work also enables a simplified calculation methodology using industry averages.

    The visualised results provide an overview of the main sources of emissions, from energy supply to expenditure and investment. A PDF report can be used for communication and also offers practical tips for reducing emissions. With the Emission Tracker Plus, companies can also receive an additional two hours of personalised advice from Intep experts.

    “SMEs in particular often lack the financial resources, the right tools and the necessary expertise,” explains Dr Lisa Winter, Managing Director at Intep Berlin. “With the Emission Tracker, we provide them with a low-threshold introduction to greenhouse gas balancing.” Associations, municipalities and large companies can also benefit by acquiring licences for their SME network as part of the Emission Tracker partnership.

  • Investment in modern workplaces and training

    Investment in modern workplaces and training

    The Ferrum Group has inaugurated its new ferruBase extension at its Schafisheim site, according to a press release. With the new building, the mechanical engineering company has realised a vertical production structure that creates space for 240 new office workstations, fully equipped production rooms and a future-oriented training workshop on around 14,000 square metres of floor space. More than 1,000 guests attended the opening and were able to gain an insight into the new building during expert tours.

    According to the press release, the new building seamlessly combines modern production processes with ergonomic office design and a training workshop. During the guided tours, employees, family members and guests were able to gain an initial insight into the architecture, construction method and new machinery. Catering was also provided at the opening ceremony and a varied entertainment programme was offered.

    For Ferrum, the new building is an investment in the future viability of the company and is intended to secure jobs in Aargau in the long term. At the same time, it also demonstrates how tradition and modern technology can be successfully combined.

  • Six Innovation Awards for construction and tool solutions

    Six Innovation Awards for construction and tool solutions

    Hilti has received six awards for recently launched products at the Pro Tool Innovation Awards(PTIA) 2025 in the USA, according to a press release. The internationally active manufacturer and supplier in the construction and tool sector is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, and is active in over 120 countries. Hilti took part in the annual PTIA competition through its North American headquarters in Plano, Texas. In total, more than 400 product solutions from over one hundred manufacturers were submitted, according to the report. A jury of experts assessed the degree of innovation, performance and safety and ergonomic aspects, among other things. “We are delighted with the high level of innovation this year,” said Clint DeBoer, General Manager of the PTIA, in the press release.

    Hilti was honoured for products in various categories. The new DD 150-U-22 diamond core drill came out on top in the concrete and masonry core drill category. It works cordlessly and is equipped with an oscillating function that makes it easy to remove a core from the drill bit. The VC 5 construction hoover, the PR 400-22 rotating laser, the DSH 700-X petrol grinder, the new KCCM Kwik Cast Connect anchor system and a filter system for vacuum cleaners (VC-CB 20/40/150-X) also came out on top in other categories.

    At the Swiss innovation conference Open-i in November, the CEO of the Hilti Group, Jahangir Doongaji, talks about how research and development (R&D) is prioritised and embedded in his company. “At Hilti, we drive innovation in a targeted manner so that our customers can build more productively, safely and sustainably,” said Doongaji in the run-up to the conference. In Hilti’s R&D and test centres, experts are working on solutions for selected areas such as occupational safety, productivity and technology integration.

    Open-i sees itself as a Swiss innovation community and dialogue platform for business and science. It brings together academic and business experts and aims to pave the way for collaborations that will secure Switzerland’s leading role as an innovative and successful market. Open-i is organised by NZZConnect, a branch of the NZZ based in Bern. The conference will take place on 27 November and tickets are available now.

  • Circular economy strategic upturn

    Circular economy strategic upturn

    The circular economy is becoming an integral part of corporate strategies in Switzerland. The proportion of companies that have anchored it in their corporate strategy has risen from 11 to 27 per cent within four years. Large companies in particular are showing great dynamism. More than half of companies with over 250 employees have already anchored it in their corporate strategy. Medium-sized companies follow with 39 per cent, while smaller companies lag far behind with 23 per cent.

    Implementation remains fragmented
    Despite clear progress in strategic awareness, operational implementation remains subdued. Only 15 per cent of companies generate more than ten per cent of their turnover with circular products, after only a marginal increase since 2020. Companies are similarly reluctant to invest. Only seven per cent invest more than ten per cent of their funds in circular economy measures. The breadth of activities is also limited, with only a few measures on average.

    Focus on energy instead of value chains
    Companies implement measures relating to energy consumption or the switch to renewable energies particularly frequently. Activities along the supply chains or in the use of raw materials are much rarer, even though these would be key levers for resource efficiency. According to study author Tobias Stucki, this means that a lot of potential is being wasted, especially as current geopolitical risks are once again putting dependence on raw materials centre stage.

    Sector and regional comparison
    There are striking differences between the sectors. Companies from the telecommunications, electronics and medical technology sectors are particularly active. Construction, real estate and personal services remain in the early stages of transformation. The regional picture is also mixed. Central and Eastern Switzerland lead the way in terms of strategic anchoring, while Ticino remains at the bottom. It is worth noting, however, that Ticino companies perform well above average in terms of their share of turnover with circular products.

    Political and legal framework
    Politicians have significantly expanded the framework conditions for the circular economy in recent years. It has been explicitly enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act since 1 January 2025. This has shifted the focus of resource conservation beyond waste management. Cantons such as Zurich and Bern have set the course with referendums and strategies. Zurich adopted a comprehensive circular economy strategy, while Bern anchored the objective in government guidelines and a new sectoral waste plan. Other cantons such as Basel-Stadt, Geneva and Vaud are also pushing ahead with their own initiatives.

    Circular economy as an issue for the future
    The study clearly shows that the strategic relevance of the circular economy is increasing in Switzerland. Nevertheless, consistent implementation remains largely limited to initial steps. The transition to a circular economy requires massive investment, far-reaching changes in supply chains and new forms of cooperation. This is the only way to ensure that the circular economy does not remain just lip service, but becomes a central pillar for the climate, resources and competitiveness.

  • Investment strengthens business location with 60 new jobs

    Investment strengthens business location with 60 new jobs

    Emmen-based SME Technik AG has broken ground on the construction of a new company building. With the construction of the new production facilities, the CNC manufacturing specialist aims to strengthen its location in the canton of Lucerne, according to a press release. With an investment of 7 million Swiss francs, a three-storey work and production building is being constructed. It will also create 60 new jobs.

    The building, with 1,200 square metres of production space and 1,100 square metres of office space, is primarily intended to optimise the CNC production of small parts or series for the aviation and railway industries. In a first step, two new CNC machines will be installed. The move is scheduled for spring 2026.

    The building, planned and realised by Cerutti Partner Architekten AG from Rothenburg, is designed for sustainability and energy efficiency. A solar system on the roof and air-to-water heat pumps were installed to ensure resource-conserving operation.

    “With the new building, SME Technik is creating modern workplaces that are attractive for both existing and future employees,” said Jan Kottucz, investor, owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SME Technik AG, in the press release. “At the same time, we can manufacture CNC parts for our customers with the highest precision and to Swiss quality standards in the modern production halls with new systems.” Ramona Gut-Rogger, Mayor of Emmen, sees the new investment by SME Technik as a “strong signal for the future of our business location.”

  • From the field: Why pole position counts in the region

    From the field: Why pole position counts in the region

    “I was hesitant at first,” says Rita Jeggli, real estate agent from Central Switzerland and owner of Perfect Living AG. “But after I booked Regional Highlight, I very quickly realized what a difference it makes that our properties are now placed at the top in our region and that visibility is improved as a result. Especially if the property is in a location that is not necessarily searched for at first glance. The inquiries came in noticeably faster, which of course makes me particularly happy!”

    Photo: Rita Jeggli

    The principle is simple but effective: properties advertised with Regional Highlight appear at the top of the search results on ImmoScout24 and Homegate for the duration of the campaign. “In the past, I often had to put my customers off if an advertisement didn’t generate the desired response,” reports Jeggli. “Today, the situation is different.” The exclusivity is particularly attractive, she adds. There are only three places available per district. Anyone who secures one of these benefits from a premium positioning that can make all the difference, particularly due to the intense competitive pressure. “The fact that there are only three spaces per district makes the product particularly attractive for us,” says Jeggli. “It makesPerfect Living AG more visible”.

    The offer is flexible: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months are available to choose from. This allows real estate agents to decide whether they want to position a property prominently in the long term or achieve a particularly high level of attention in the short term. “We really appreciate this flexibility,” says Jeggli. “Sometimes a property only needs a brief boost, sometimes we want to keep a prestigious property in the spotlight for longer.”

    Regional Highlight is part of SMG Real Estate’s Listing Performance portfolio and complements the Top Listing and Premium Top Listing products. While the latter offers nationwide reach and flexibility, Regional Highlight aims to have a lasting impact on the local market. In a real estate market characterized by strong competition and the recurring challenge of winning hard-fought mandates, Regional Highlight offers a decisive advantage: the right people become aware of an offer at the right time. For real estate agents like Jeggli, this means one thing above all: satisfied customers, faster deals and sustainable growth for their own company.

    Interested? You can find more information on how to advertise your properties from pole position here.

    Hit list without regional highlight
    Hit list with regional highlight
  • New dynamics for self-consumption communities

    New dynamics for self-consumption communities

    Primeo Energie is expanding its business for energy communities. The Basel-based energy company will take over the billing services for self-consumption associations (ZEV) from Energie Wasser Bern(ewb), Regio Energie Solothurn(RES) and AGROLA from the beginning of 2026, Primeo Energie announced in a press release. The three energy suppliers will continue to provide their customers with ZEV services, but will have these carried out by Prime Energie.

    “We believe in energy communities as an important element of the energy transformation,” said Primeo Energie CEO Cédric Christmann in the press release. “I am therefore all the more pleased that ewb, RES and AGROLA have placed their trust in us and transferred their ZEV services to us.” The takeover expands Primeo Energie’s Swiss-wide network to over 20,000 ZEV measuring points. The company’s growth strategy in the area of energy communities is intended to strengthen Primeo Energie’s position “as a leading provider of ZEV services”, according to the press release.

  • Strategic access to the German balancing energy market

    Strategic access to the German balancing energy market

    BKW is emphasising its growth ambitions in Germany by acquiring Munich-based Südvolt GmbH and its 20 employees, according to a press release. The Bern-based energy and infrastructure group is thus entering the German market for balancing energy and system services. Südvolt is a flexibility provider with access to all four German transmission system operators and thus to the balancing energy market.

    The company flexibly interconnects energy generation plants and industrial consumers in its virtual power plant in order to keep the grid stable. Its customer portfolio includes major and industrial customers from energy-intensive sectors as well as municipal utilities.

    As BKW emphasises in the press release, this acquisition is part of its Solutions 2030 strategy, which aims to expand its sustainable energy solutions by investing in energy storage and energy production.

    With this acquisition, “we are securing strategic access to one of the most important energy and flexibility markets in Europe”, said Stefan Sewckow, member of the Group Executive Board and CCO Energy Markets at BKW. “We are strengthening our position in the marketing of flexibility and expanding our international portfolio.” BKW already covers the entire value chain for the energy transition in Germany, from energy production and power line construction to building planning and project management, and is reportedly planning further growth in these areas.

  • New boss for the Bern Congress and Event Centre

    New boss for the Bern Congress and Event Centre

    Kursaal Bern AG is getting a new CEO: Jonas Scharf will take over the management of the multifunctional congress and event centre with casino, catering and hotel on 1 April 2026, Kursaal Bern AG announced in a press release. Scharf will take over from Kevin Kunz, who is retiring after ten years as CEO.

    According to the press release, the designated new CEO has “almost three decades of management experience in the exhibition, congress and hospitality sector”. Among the stages of Scharf’s career, his role as COO of MCH Exibitions & Event GmbH is highlighted. He has also developed the Congress Center Basel “into an internationally recognised congress venue”. The press release also attests to Scharf’s “entrepreneurial thinking” and “empathy and sensitivity in dealing with stakeholders, politics and business”.

  • Growth continues with office opening in Cologne

    Growth continues with office opening in Cologne

    VELLOWS is further expanding its network. Founded in 2023, the consulting firm for projects and organisational development in the construction and real estate industry has been operating a new location in Cologne since 1 September 2025, according to a press release. According to the statement, VELLOWS is continuing its growth trajectory with the opening of the new office. The company is based in Hergiswil and also operates from an address in Zurich, Basel and Berlin.

    “Cologne is a central location for us, both in terms of our customer structure and our service portfolio,” explains the new location manager Stephan Hintzen. The industrial engineer specialising in civil engineering has more than ten years of experience in project management, client representation and property consultancy.

    VELLOWS founder Prof Jürgen M. Volm speaks of an experienced and well-connected colleague: “As a partner and managing director, he will play a central role in further expanding our market presence in Germany.”

  • Success for Suissetec in the EKS case

    Success for Suissetec in the EKS case

    For years, Suissetec has been committed to a “level playing field” between traditional consulting, planning and installation companies and energy service providers, which are increasingly active in the building technology market. In this specific case, EKS used customer data from the basic supply, i.e. from the monopoly sector, to advertise solar systems, an offer in the free market. This unlawful competitive advantage violates the Electricity Supply Act.

    Following a criminal complaint filed by Suissetec in 2017, two former EKS employees were finally convicted on March 31, 2025. Comparable proceedings against Repower and Groupe e also ended in guilty verdicts.

    Consistent separation of market areas
    The ruling makes it clear that the monopoly area of basic energy supply must remain strictly separated from the commercial activities of energy service providers, for example in building technology or solar installations. Companies are obliged to take organizational and technical precautions to ensure that there is no mixing.

    Although only employees and not the company itself were prosecuted in this specific case, the court emphasized that companies can also be liable to prosecution if they breach their duty of care.

    Signal effect for the industry
    For Suissetec, the third ruling in this case is a milestone. Director Christoph Schaer emphasizes: “The EKS case is now closed for us. At the same time, we expect this ruling to form the basis for competitive but fair competition between all market participants.”

    In this way, the association not only wants to prevent abuses, but also raise awareness among energy service providers, as important members of Suissetec, of the importance of clean dividing lines. The aim is constructive cooperation in the market that enables fair competition with clear rules.

  • Rebranding focuses on sustainable transformation

    Rebranding focuses on sustainable transformation

    After twelve years, INNOArchitects AG is opening a new chapter: since the beginning of September, the consulting firm from Wabern has been operating under the name Fuil, Pierre-Yves Caboussat, founding partner and strategy consultant, announced in a press release from Fuil AG. The name INNOArchitects was too closely associated with new products and ideas. The new name, on the other hand, is intended to symbolise the current focus of the consultancy offering on the sustainable transformation of companies.

    Fiul is based on the English term fuel. It means “energy, drive, speed, but also food, in other words something that nourishes and enables growth”, explains Cabussat. The new name thus stands for the company’s aspiration to shape change with impact.

    For Nora Blaesy, Lead Rebranding and Business Development Consultant, the new brand identity emphasises “who we really are”. According to her, Fuil wants to differentiate itself from other consultancies by the way it tackles things. “We don’t just want to advise organisations, we want to empower them to shape change with confidence and move into the future with energy,” Blaesy is quoted as saying.

    Fiul offers companies consulting services in the areas of strategy, business development, organisational development and collaboration, the development of people and teams and the use of artificial intelligence. Fiul also provides rooms for seminars and collaboration in the converted Gurtenbrauerei brewery in Wabern. According to a statement, the company has already completed over 3,000 contracts under the old INNOArchitects brand.

  • Exclusive destination on Lake Lucerne strengthens presence in India

    Exclusive destination on Lake Lucerne strengthens presence in India

    The traditional Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne hotel is now being represented in India by the Mumbai-based agency Aumentar Hospitality, which specialises in the hotel industry. “We are looking forward to all the unique encounters, events and emotions that this connection will bring to the Bürgenstock”, says the operator in a press release. Bürgenstock Hotels AG goes on to explain that with Aumentar Hospitality, it has a partner at its side “who has an excellent network in India and knows the needs of tour operators, agencies and discerning guests inside out”.

    The Nidwalde-based company sees this partnership as part of its strategic endeavours to expand its presence on the Indian market in a targeted manner, “because India is a clear growth market for us”. Demand for exclusive European destinations has been rising steadily for years, particularly in connection with milestone celebrations, i.e. weddings, anniversaries and other special life events.

    The region is very well known in the Indian market, not least because of several Bollywood productions that were filmed in and around Lucerne: “The destination is considered the gateway to Switzerland and combines the city, lake and Alps in a very small area – an aspect that is highly valued by Indian guests.”

    The 60-hectare hotel and tourism complex above Lake Lucerne comprises a total of 30 buildings. They are located on the Bürgenberg in the municipalities of Stansstad and Ennetbürgen.

  • Growth in premiums and fees in the half-year under review

    Growth in premiums and fees in the half-year under review

    The Swiss Life Group reports an operating profit of CHF 903 million for the first half of the year. In a year-on-year comparison, this corresponds to growth of 3 per cent in local currency, the internationally active insurance group from Zurich reported in a press release. At CHF 602 million, however, net profit was CHF 30 million lower than in the first half of the previous year. Swiss Life cites a year-on-year increase in tax expenses of CHF 36 million as the reason for this.

    “We were able to further expand both our insurance and fee business and achieved a higher operating profit”, Group CEO Matthias Aellig is quoted as saying in the press release. Specifically, Swiss Life increased its own premium income by 5 per cent in local currency to CHF 12.1 billion. At the same time, fee income rose by 2 per cent in local currency to CHF 1.27 billion. “We also significantly increased net new money inflows in the investment business for third-party clients and our solvency remains strong,” explains Aellig. “With these results, we have made a successful start to our Swiss Life 2027 corporate programme and are on track.”

    In the Swiss Life 2027 programme, the Group has set itself the goal of increasing its result in fee-based business to over CHF 1 billion per year by 2027. A result of CHF 392 million was achieved in the half year under review. Swiss Life has set a target range of 17 to 19 per cent for the return on equity in 2027. In the half year under review, the return on equity was 17.6 per cent.

  • Biochar concrete opens up prospects for a climate-neutral construction industry

    Biochar concrete opens up prospects for a climate-neutral construction industry

    Four construction companies from Switzerland have joined forces to found KLARK AG, based in Landquart GR, on 25 August 2025: Ulrich Imboden AG from Visp VS, Logbau AG from Maienfeld GR, Novakies AG from Rapperswil BE and Toggenburger AG from Winterthur. Their common goal is to make KLARK concrete, which is CO2-neutral thanks to the addition of biochar, available throughout the country.

    In a press release, they describe the founding of KLARK AG as a milestone for the Swiss construction industry: “It shows that ecological responsibility, economic thinking and cooperative structures can go hand in hand – even and especially in an industry that has long been considered sluggish.” KLARK stands for a move towards a building materials market “that not only measures climate effects, but actively changes them”. This is “industry innovation instead of individual battles”.

    The KLARK climate clay is mixed with as much biochar from untreated waste wood from regional forestry until a CO2-neutral product is created. According to the information provided, it has the same properties as traditional concrete, which causes CO2 emissions of up to 250 kilograms per cubic metre.

    The CO2 reduction performance has been verified with a verified life cycle assessment in accordance with the accounting rules of the Coordination Conference of Building and Property Bodies of Public Building Owners(KBOB). The life cycle assessment results are published on the KBOB list. KLARK concrete can be produced with 50, 75 or 100 per cent sink rate and is fully recyclable.

    Eberhard Bau AG from Kloten ZH, Aarebeton Aarau AG and Arnold & Co. AG Sand- und Kieswerke from Flüelen UR are already on board as licence holders for the production of KLARK concrete. “This creates a central competence centre for CO2-saving construction with concrete, supported by regional pioneers with a national reach,” the press release states.

  • Online marketplace operator aims to be listed on the Swiss stock exchange

    Online marketplace operator aims to be listed on the Swiss stock exchange

    SMG Swiss Marketplace Group AG has announced an initial public offering on the SIX Swiss Exchange. According to a press release, the IPO is intended to provide shareholders with liquidity options and give SMG access to broader capital markets to support potential growth initiatives and increase financial flexibility. At the same time, this should further strengthen the Group’s market position and increase brand awareness. The exact timing of the IPO has not yet been finalised and will depend in particular on market conditions.

    The shares are to be sold by two of the Group’s current shareholders, Mobiliar and Ringier. The offering is expected to be conducted as a public offering in Switzerland and in other countries in the form of private placements to certain qualified investors. The shares of the Group are expected to be admitted to trading on SIX and fulfil the minimum free float requirement of 20 percent. Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and UBS will act as global coordinators and joint lead managers for the IPO, according to the press release.

    “With a clear value proposition, a trusted brand portfolio and strong local expertise, we are well positioned to deliver even greater value to millions of users,” commented Christoph Tonini, CEO of SMG. “By investing in pioneering technologies, we want to set new standards for Swiss online marketplaces.”

    SMG was founded in 2021 as a joint venture between TX Group AG, Ringier AG, Schweizerische Mobiliar Versicherungsgesellschaft AG and General Atlantic SC B.V. and has since established itself as a leading online marketplace in Switzerland. In 2024, SMG generated revenue of CHF 290.9 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of CHF 139.2 million.

  • The Top100 Swiss Startup Award 2025

    The Top100 Swiss Startup Award 2025

    What began as a simple ranking has long since become more than just a list. Today, the award is a meeting place for investors, entrepreneurs and industry experts, a place for mutual discovery and promotion. In addition to the ranking itself, a community has formed that strengthens founders, opens doors for them and gives ideas the attention they deserve.

    Every year, the award proves that innovation does not happen in secret. It is people who have the courage to try something new and find partners who believe in them.

    Successes that leave their mark
    638 start-ups have raised CHF 17.8 billion in venture capital and created 20,870 new jobs in the last decade and a half. Behind these figures are stories of teams that have turned a vision into an internationally sought-after company. Engineers who make machines quieter and more efficient. Scientists who are turning plastic back into its basic materials. Lawyers with a dream of a digital solution that makes knowledge more quickly accessible.

    The faces of 2025
    The current ranking reflects precisely this diversity. With Corintis, DePoly and DeepJudge, three start-ups that could hardly be more different top the list.

    Corintis cools high-performance processors in a revolutionary way and is therefore at the forefront of an industry that is driving the digital future.

    DePoly turns plastic waste back into valuable raw materials, contributing to a more sustainable global economy.

    DeepJudge uses artificial intelligence to analyse gigantic legal data sets quickly and accurately.

    Three examples, one common denominator, courage, vision and the unshakeable conviction that good ideas can change the world.

    An anniversary with a view to the future
    “The Ranking 2025 reflects the strength and innovative power of our start-up ecosystem,” says Programme Director Stefan Steiner. It’s not just about start-ups, but about a movement. A movement that is shaping the country, economically, socially and culturally.

    With its 15th anniversary, the Top100 Swiss Startup Award shows that Switzerland not only has ideas, but also the right conditions to turn ideas into success stories. And while some look back on 15 years of courage and innovation, the winners of 2025 are already writing the stories of tomorrow.

  • Fraunhofer ISE Testlab sets standard for inverters

    Fraunhofer ISE Testlab sets standard for inverters

    With the increasing expansion of renewable energies, the rotating masses of conventional power plants, which previously ensured a stable voltage and frequency, are no longer present in the grid. Grid-forming inverters must take over this task and reliably stabilize the grid even in critical situations such as frequency changes or short circuits. Until now, however, there has been a lack of a uniform definition and standardized verification procedures for these systems.

    GFM Benchmark test procedure
    In the GFM Benchmark project, Fraunhofer ISE invited leading manufacturers to test their devices in the laboratory. Seven companies provided inverters with different outputs and development statuses. The test procedure was developed together with German transmission grid operators and simulates various grid situations. In addition to normal operation, it also includes extreme situations such as phase jumps and short circuits in the grid.

    While many devices react similarly under clearly defined requirements, there are still clear differences under more complex conditions. The ISE team was therefore able to provide manufacturers with valuable tips for optimization and highlighted the need for further development.

    Paving the way for standardization and market integration
    The project results have been directly incorporated into European standardization work and the VDE FNN note “Grid-forming properties”. For the first time, the new test guideline provides a recognized framework for the practical testing and certification of grid-forming systems. This is particularly relevant as a new market for instantaneous reserve will be launched in Germany from 2026, in which battery storage systems with suitable certification, for example, will receive additional revenue opportunities.

    Market maturity, best practice and industry dialog
    The market analysis and test data provide a solid basis for decision-making for manufacturers, grid operators, investors and standards bodies. The certification measurements that are now possible will accelerate the market entry of new, stabilizing inverters. In addition, Fraunhofer ISE supports the transfer of European requirements into national regulations and supports the industry with best practice guidelines.

    Fraunhofer ISE has set a milestone with the test procedure for grid-forming inverters. This will not only make the energy transition in Europe safer, but also measurably faster.

  • Digital maintenance increases safety and efficiency in lift operations

    Digital maintenance increases safety and efficiency in lift operations

    In future, it will also be possible to release passengers from KONE lifts in this country digitally and remotely in less than 60 seconds. The global supplier of lifts and escalators, headquartered in Espoo, Finland, has announced that its remote service will now also be introduced in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

    In addition to providing immediate passenger assistance in emergencies, the service will also enable remote repairs. Following a remote repair, all connected systems will reportedly remain under observation for 24 hours.

    KONE’s remote service is based on an intelligent, cloud-based platform that monitors connected lifts, escalators and automatic doors around the clock. With the help of data analysis based on artificial intelligence, the system recognises potential faults at an early stage and proactively informs technical personnel.

    “In this way, we combine customer proximity with technological excellence and at the same time make an important contribution to decarbonisation through fewer journeys and more efficient processes,” says Jochen Kramer, Director Service at KONE in the German-speaking countries. Remote Service has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award 2025 in the climate transformation field.

    KONE Remote Service is now available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for more than 35,000 digitally connected systems with KONE DX and LCE controllers. Other controller types and third-party systems are to follow.

  • Swiss start-up supports the development of digital energy communities

    Swiss start-up supports the development of digital energy communities

    The Zurich-based start-up Exnaton is teaming up with the German software manufacturer SAP, based in Walldorf, to operate the SAP Energy Community in the SAP Energy Park. The SAP Energy Community allows buildings and employees to produce, store and trade renewable energy with each other. The initiative focuses on the S.MART Shop, a space equipped with solar panels, EV chargers and a battery system that enables renewable energy trading on the SAP campus.

    Exnaton supports the programme with its energy sharing software solutions, which simplify registration with a user-friendly interface and enable users to manage, consume and trade energy together. Real-time data from SAP dashboards, combined with Exnaton software, enables energy to be sold when market conditions are favourable and stored for future use. The energy community dashboard, which provides real-time insights into consumption, production and energy trading and serves as a communication channel for sustainability programmes, is also operated by Exnaton. The SAP Energy Community leads to cost savings through optimised energy use, reduced CO2 emissions and increased resilience thanks to decentralised energy production and storage.

    In view of stricter German energy legislation from 2026, the project in Walldorf can serve as a model for other energy sharing projects. “The SAP Energy Community is central to establishing a standard model for energy sharing in Germany,” said Anselma Wörner, co-founder and COO of exnaton, in the press release. “With our experience from international energy communities, we are proud to support SAP in turning this vision into a scalable, practical solution.”

    Founded in 2020, exnaton AG is a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

  • New orders in Germany strengthen building construction business

    New orders in Germany strengthen building construction business

    Implenia has landed contracts for building construction in Germany with a volume of more than 200 million euros. According to a press release, the projects are “in line with the Group’s strategic focus on large and challenging property projects that require extensive expertise and many years of experience”.

    On behalf of project developer and asset manager Rock Capital Group, the construction group will act as general contractor in Munich-Neuhausen, transforming the approximately one-hectare Bruckmann Quartier on Nymphenburgerstrasse into a high-quality office quarter. A combination of new construction and modernisation will create 28,000 square metres of office floor space in a prime central location. Individual parts of the building will be newly constructed, historic components will be modernised, one building will be extended and another will have a listed façade. Construction is due to start in 2025.

    In Brandenburg, Implenia is constructing a new administration building as the technical leader in a joint venture with GP Papenburg, a comprehensive school in the Ruhr region and a six-court sports hall with functional buildings for two grammar schools in Frankfurt am Main. All three new buildings will be handed over on a turnkey basis.

    Implenia is once again active at the Mainz customs harbour. The Group is now realising the Rheinwiesen living project for the project company of BWL Wohnungsbaugesellschaft and Volksbank Darmstadt. It consists of five five-storey residential buildings with an unobstructed view of the Rhine. Implenia has also been commissioned to construct a senior citizens’ residential complex in Magdeburg and an exhibition and sales building for the Stark Group in Nuremberg.

  • Expansion of 8,000 fibre optic connections planned by 2026

    Expansion of 8,000 fibre optic connections planned by 2026

    According to a press release,Swiss Fibre Net and the local energy and water supplier StWZ Energie will provide the population of Zofingen with almost 5,000 fibre optic connections by the end of the year. This figure is set to rise to 8,000 by the end of 2026.

    The two companies also announced that the fibre optic network will be opened up to enable customers to be supplied with a wide range of telecoms services from various providers. “Thanks to the collaboration with Swiss Fibre Net, Zofingen residents with access to StWZ fibre optics can benefit from the additional telecoms offerings from Sunrise and Salt,” said StWZ Managing Director Paul Marbach in a press release. The offers from the two telecoms providers are available immediately.

    According to Andreas Waber, CEO of Swiss Fibre Net, the fact that customers can choose from various telecoms providers is a must nowadays: “Only open networks guarantee customer-oriented competition. That is why we are committed to the principle of an open fibre optic network in cooperation with energy providers, cable network operators and municipalities.”

    Swiss Fibre Net AG is a joint venture between local energy suppliers and cable network operators in Switzerland. It connects the local fibre optic networks of its network partners to form the large-scale, homogeneous and open Swiss Fibre Net and offers this to nationally active telecoms providers for use.

  • New agenda to strengthen cooperation in the Limmat Valley

    New agenda to strengthen cooperation in the Limmat Valley

    At its Annual General Meeting on 28 August 2025, Limmatstadt AG acknowledged its role as a driving force in regional development. According to a press release, the conclusion of the reorganisation process has sharpened the future mandate for regional location promotion.

    A clear vision has been defined in collaboration with the region’s stakeholders. It is crystallised in the formulation “Together we are shaping a strong Limmat Valley and creating space for more”. Through close cooperation and a consistent focus on the needs of all stakeholder groups, interests can be bundled and projects can be initiated and supported to sustainably promote the successful development of the Limmat Valley.

    Against this background, Limmatstadt AG is taking on a more active role. The development of a joint regional and digital agenda and the Limmat Valley communication channels project are now being launched. Both are intended to increase the visibility of regional offerings and further promote cooperation in the Limmat Valley.

    As part of this realignment, the revised brand identity “Limmattal. Room for more.” was also presented. It is intended to strengthen the region’s identity as a dynamic living and economic area.

    Jasmina Ritz and Josef Bütler have stepped down from the Board of Directors for professional reasons. Roger Bachmann, the mayor of Dietikon, was newly elected. Limmatstadt AG expects his expertise and regional ties to provide valuable impetus.

  • Switzerland needs a new awareness of its industry

    Switzerland needs a new awareness of its industry

    With an export share of over 80%, the manufacturing industry contributes around 18% directly to Switzerland’s gross domestic product. With industry-related services, the share rises to more than 25 percent or CHF 230 billion annually. Industry not only ensures high added value and low youth unemployment, but also directly and indirectly finances infrastructure, education and social security.

    Global trade relations are indispensable
    Current US punitive tariffs of 39% on Swiss goods threaten exports and thus fundamental pillars of economic performance. Switzerland’s prosperity and crisis resilience are traditionally based on open, reliable and comprehensive trade relations, especially with the EU as the most important sales market. The rapid ratification of the Bilaterals III and new free trade agreements is key to breaking down barriers and securing long-term competitiveness.

    Further develop framework conditions
    Low unemployment and the continued strength of the industry are based on factors such as the dual education system, lean bureaucracy, flexible short-time working and a liberal economic order. Extending the duration of short-time work and maintaining the liberal labor market are key instruments in this regard.

    Need for political action
    The industry needs a policy that takes its economic importance seriously. The “Swiss export nation” model will remain successful if companies can pursue innovative paths and politicians consistently provide the reliable framework conditions for this. This must be done without blockades and with a clear focus on maintaining international competitiveness.

    Secure industrial strength politically
    Switzerland must become aware of its industrial strengths and develop them further with courage. Only with better networking, political will to make decisions and optimal framework conditions can the international success of industry be secured in the long term.

  • Communication for digital self-storage solutions in Zurich

    Communication for digital self-storage solutions in Zurich

    According to a press release, the owner-managed Zurich-based communications agency GRIP will be responsible for the PR of placeB, a provider of digital storage solutions also based in Zurich. The collaboration will focus on the data-supported everyday relevance of self-storage solutions in the B2C sector. ESG (environmental, social and governance) compliant space activation through placeB solutions for B2B partners is also central.

    “PlaceB shows how digitally accessible storage space solves social challenges. As a Swiss scale-up with digital DNA, this fits perfectly with our expertise in property and technology communication and we look forward to accompanying placeB on its expansion course,” said Patrick Milo, Managing Director of the communications agency, in the press release. According to Tobias Kaufmann, CEO of placeB AG, self-storage is “evolving from a niche solution to an urban staple. GRIP will help us to sensitise both private users and property owners to the advantages of intelligent use of space.”

    PlaceB AG is active in over 50 locations and aims to tackle social megatrends such as urbanisation, housing shortages and increased mobility with its offering. Customers can use the placeB app to rent heated and dry storage units for periods of one week or more. These are video-monitored around the clock and can also be accessed by employees or friends once access rights have been granted.

  • Fast charging of batteries reaches new milestone

    Fast charging of batteries reaches new milestone

    Designwerk Technologies AG, based in Winterthur, has achieved a charging capacity of over 1 megawatt in a fast-charging test of a lorry battery under real-life conditions. This success means that fast charging of large batteries for electric lorries is now a reality and the hurdle for long-distance transport has been overcome, according to a press release.

    The test took place under real-life conditions at the depot of the motorway VI service area in Oberbüren. A peak output of 1140 kilowatts was achieved. This is 8 per cent more than the specification of 1050 kilowatts. It took 42 minutes to fully charge a 1000-kilowatt battery from 10 to 80 per cent. With this charge, a 40-tonne electric truck can cover a distance of more than 500 kilometres. The required charging time is within the time frame of legally prescribed breaks for the driver.

    “Thanks to Mega Charging, a 40-tonne truck charges as quickly as an electric car – only with significantly more power,” Niels Ross, Project Manager Charging Technology at Designwerk, is quoted as saying in the press release. “This is the key to electrifying heavy goods transport.”

    The use of electric trucks can save thousands of tonnes of CO2 every year. In Switzerland, registrations of battery-electric trucks rose by 41.2 per cent in the first two quarters of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year, according to the press release.

  • New partnership promotes permanent carbon removal

    New partnership promotes permanent carbon removal

    The Bern-based ClimateTech company Neustark has been awarded a multi-year contract for CO2 removal (CDR) by Swiss International Air Lines (Swiss), according to a press release. For the first time, a representative of the aviation and construction industries are joining forces to work together to permanently reduce carbon emissions, the press release continues. Both sectors are considered high-emission industries that are difficult to decarbonise, according to Valentin Gutknecht, co-founder and co-CEO of Neustark.

    For the start-up, which was founded as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) in 2019, the partnership paves the way for a Europe-wide expansion of carbon capture, storage and removal technology. “Pioneers like Swiss play a crucial role in the further expansion of our CO2 removal technology, enabling us to permanently remove exponentially more tonnes of hard-to-avoid CO2 emissions from the atmosphere every day,” Gutknecht is quoted as saying.

    Neustark’s solution is based on the reutilisation of concrete from demolished buildings and mineral waste materials. The technology triggers an accelerated mineralisation process in which CO2 is bound to the pores and surface of the granulate and thus permanently removed from the air. The demolition granulate can then be reused in carbonised form in the construction of roads or for the production of recycled concrete.

    The partnership was concluded with the option of extending the volume and duration and is part of a long-term initiative to remove CO2 from Swiss. The airline, which is part of the Lufthansa Group, already has partnerships with Swiss climate technology companies such as Climeworks and Synhelion, according to the statement: “The permanent removal of CO2 is an important building block on the way to net zero in aviation. Together, we are taking an important step towards scaling this technology,” CEO Jens Fehlinger is quoted as saying.

  • Swiss kitchen manufacturer expands presence in Germany

    Swiss kitchen manufacturer expands presence in Germany

    Suter Inox wants to establish itself in Germany in the long term. The 78-year-old family business from Aargau, which specialises in stainless steel kitchen fittings, is officially entering the German market at Küchenmeile 2025 and will be a permanent exhibitor there after two years on a special area. The most important European B2B trade fair for decision-makers in the kitchen and furniture industry will take place from 20 to 26 September 2025 in the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Löhne.

    According to a press release from Suter Inox, the company will be exhibiting on 150 square metres of presentation space in the architecture workshop there. Marco Suter, President of the Board of Directors of Suter Inox AG, describes it as “an important forum for high-quality kitchen architecture and creative material presentations. As a new partner, we are delighted to help shape the kitchen as a holistic architectural experience and to present ourselves in this inspiring environment.”

    The marketing association of 24 companies, which together generate around 90 per cent of German kitchen furniture sales and organises the Küchenmeile, is once again expecting 25,000 trade visitors this year, 40 per cent of whom will come from abroad.

    At the same time, the company will be showcasing its customised worktops, sinks and basins, drain and overflow technology and taps in the BORA flagship store in Herford, just a few minutes away from the trade fair. According to the information provided, this store will be specifically visited during the Kitchen Mile.

    “Germany is a demanding but exciting market with great potential for our high-quality stainless steel products,” says Suter. “Our presence in the architecture workshop and in the BORA flagship store is the start of a targeted expansion of our market activities. We look forward to exchanging ideas with specialist retailers – and to many new partnerships.”

  • Timber trading company opens modern site in Obernau

    Timber trading company opens modern site in Obernau

    Herzog-Elmiger AG has officially opened its new site in Obernau near Kriens. Previously, the wood-based materials trading company had been based on Langsägestrasse in Kriens for 65 years. The search for a new company site had become necessary because the family had been expropriated by the Federal Roads Office for the Lucerne bypass motorway project, according to a press release.

    The family business also celebrated its 120th anniversary on 23 and 24 August 2025 at the same time as the reopening. Siblings Melanie and Michael Herzog took over the business from their father André Herzog in 2022 and are now the fifth generation to run it.

    Customers, partners, neighbours and members of the public were given guided tours of the company’s new 10,190 square metre timber building and its business – from the fully automated storage area to the veneer warehouse with special woods and the new exhibition to the photovoltaic system on the roof, which saves around 336 tonnes of CO2 per year.

    The twelve-metre-high hall, its supporting structure made of Swiss wood and the view of the logistics department, where up to 200 tonnes of goods are moved every day, were particularly impressive. The rooms created for the employees also aroused great interest: an activity room, a room furnished with local Swiss stone pine wood for relaxation, a terrace with a large barbecue and a coffee bar.

    “With this new building, we have taken the opportunity to further develop our company in a future-oriented and sustainable way,” Michael Herzog is quoted as saying. “Here we have room for innovation and at the same time a strong connection to our tradition.”

  • Planned stock market listing to strengthen market presence

    Planned stock market listing to strengthen market presence

    The fund management company of Swiss Prime Site Solutions AG(SSPS), an asset manager for real estate solutions based in Zug, is considering listing the SPSS Investment Fund Commercial(SPSS IFC) on the SIX Swiss Exchange, according to a press release. According to the company, the SPSS IFC invests with a focus on commercial real estate in economically established locations throughout Switzerland. The company plans to list by the end of 2025, thereby strengthening its market presence, opening up access to new investors and promoting the fund’s liquidity in the long term. The listing will be accompanied by Zürcher Kantonalbank as sole lead manager.

    According to the press release, the listing is subject to market conditions, approval of the amendments to the fund contract by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority(FINMA) and approval of the listing application by the SIX Swiss Exchange. The SPSS IFC will be open to all investors once the amendments to the fund contract have been approved as a public fund. Until then, it will only be accessible to qualified investors. On the SIX Swiss Exchange, the fund is to be included in the SXI Real Estate Broad and SXI Real Estate Funds Broad indices in future.

    In the run-up to the planned listing, the company has already been able to expand its portfolio and thus prepare for the further development of the fund. “With the funds from the last capital increase, we have optimally expanded the portfolio with two attractive light industrial properties, sustainably strengthened the equity base and consistently aligned the product with the requirements of a stock exchange listing,” says Maximilian Hoffmann, CIO Funds at SPSS.