Tag: Freiburg

Renovation of the Pérolles Bridge near Fribourg underway

Walo Bertschinger AG is involved in the ongoing renovation of the Pérolles Bridge between Fribourg and Marly FR. The 550 metre long and up to 70 metre high road bridge over the Saane is being repaired following damage to the road surface. Walo Bertschinger’s team is currently taking on a range of the work involved, as the fourth-generation construction company from Dietikon explains in a post on Facebook.

Specifically, Walo is replacing the carriageway joints and renewing around 10,000 square metres of asphalt. The Walo team is also repairing damaged concrete and providing the bridge with modern waterproofing. The Pérolles Bridge will remain open to cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians throughout the construction work.

October 2025
Freiburg defies global uncertainties

Despite global turbulence, increased protectionism and new tariffs imposed by the US government, Fribourg’s economy is holding its own with impressive stability. The Economic Development Agency of the Canton of Fribourg supported a total of 32 business projects in 2024, including 16 new relocations. These projects secure over 1,000 jobs and create 527 new jobs in the medium term, combined with investments of CHF 116 million.

Employment growth in the canton is now outstripping population growth. Fribourg’s gross domestic product rose by 27.5 % between 2011 and 2024. A clear sign of sustainable value creation despite global uncertainties.

Successful location development and investments
The new settlements are equally divided between Swiss and international companies, including those from Belgium, Brazil, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy and the USA. At the same time, the new cantonal implementation program 2024-2027 of the new regional policy was launched, which sets strategic priorities in the bioeconomy, digital transformation, Industry 4.0, tourism and entrepreneurship with 19 funded projects.

For Olivier Curty, State Councillor and Director of Economic Affairs, these results underline the relevance of a consistently pursued economic strategy that strengthens Fribourg as a business location even in challenging times.

bluefactory and EPFL as engines of growth
The bluefactory innovation quarter is developing rapidly. With the inauguration of Building B and its almost complete occupancy by 17 companies and 340 workplaces, Fribourg is being further strengthened as a technology hub. At the same time, EPFL is expanding its commitment – six new chairs in the field of sustainable construction are to be created by 2030. Construction of the new Smart Living Lab experimental building is scheduled to begin in 2025.
This dynamic consolidates Fribourg’s position in the field of the built environment and underlines the canton’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Strategic successes in the life sciences sector
A milestone in 2024 was the establishment of Cellap Laboratoire AG in Châtel-Saint-Denis. With more than 4000 m² of production space and ambitious growth targets in international markets, the company is providing new impetus in the cell cosmetics sector. The life sciences are becoming the mainstay of Fribourg’s economy and already account for 10% of the canton’s GDP – a result confirmed by a study by BAK Economics.

Jerry Krattiger, Director of the WIF, emphasizes that the bioeconomy and life sciences remain strategic priorities. At the same time, other key areas such as Industry 4.0 are being actively promoted in order to further expand the canton’s economic diversity and resilience.

Vigilance and adaptability as success factors
The Department of Economic Affairs and Vocational Education and Training remains vigilant in the face of global uncertainties. With proven instruments such as short-time work compensation, Fribourg is able to react quickly to economic fluctuations and ensure the stability of the economic structure.

April 2025
Saane water to heat Freiburg

By 2027 at the latest, water from the Saane will cover 10 per cent of the heat demand in the Fribourg area, Groupe E announced in a press release. The energy supplier from Granges-Paccot is planning to build a three-part infrastructure to generate around 60 gigawatt hours of renewable thermal energy per year. This is enough to cover the needs of around 7500 households.

The PLACAD project provides for the expansion of the existing heating centre on the former Ritter site. In future, three water-to-water heat pumps will operate here. They will be supported by two gas boilers in winter or in an emergency.

The associated pumping station is planned in the Magere Au dam building. The connection between the heating centre and the pumping station is via two parallel pipes, each 1.2 kilometres long. They run through the Perolles forest, under the tennis courts of the Heilig Kreuz college and across the Saane.

The pipeline route will partly follow existing paths, but any environmental impact will be compensated for, Groupe E explains. This includes plans to extend the Lake Perolles nature reserve to include an island of old woodland. Groupe E will provide information online about any adverse effects on leisure activities in the Perolles forest. The corresponding website also provides an insight into the development of the project.

February 2025
Takeover secures jobs and orders in Freiburg

Burkhalter is stepping into the breach at Etablissements Techniques Fragnière SA, based in Bulle, which has run into financial difficulties. The Zurich-based building technology specialist will take over the business and employees at ETF’s sites in Bulle and Givisiez, Burkhalter announced in a press release. Specifically, 117 employees, including 32 apprentices, will be taken on under the same conditions that apply to them at ETF. Burkhalter intends to use them to fulfil the majority of ETF’s orders at the two Fribourg sites.

Burkhalter has founded the two companies Bul Elec SA and Fri Elec SA for the takeover. They are intended to strengthen the building technology company’s presence in the canton of Fribourg. In addition, Burkhalter is “now in a position to offer its customers in the canton of Fribourg the entire portfolio of electrical engineering services”, according to the press release. Laurent Murith and Frédéric Bourguet will take over the management of the new companies. Both were previously branch managers at the respective ETF locations.

December 2024
Kerzers inaugurates district heating

Groupe E inaugurated its new district heating plant in Kerzers with open days on 15 and 16 November. According to a press release, the plant will have a capacity of 31 megawatts when completed and can therefore generate 61,000 megawatt hours of heat per year. The heat will be supplied to over 90 households, vegetable growers, the Papiliorama and public buildings.

The plant will be heated to 90 per cent with wood chips from the region. This will save around 9000 tonnes of CO2.

It is the third-largest district heating plant of the Fribourg energy supplier after the one in Fribourg and in the Entre-deux-Lacs region.

November 2024
A solid 2022 for the Fribourg Cantonal Economic Development Agency

Of the 41 projects supported, 25 are business expansions and 16 are business relocations. Of the 16 relocations, 3 are from Switzerland and 13 from abroad. These include the Japanese company Epson, which has set up in the Marly Innovation Centre, and the Brazilian company Carob House in Fribourg. Among the expansions, the projects of Immomig in Düdingen and Wago Contact in Domdidier are worth mentioning.

Although the WIF devoted considerable resources to it in 2022, the Rolex project is not included in the figures in the annual report. The project will take shape in 2023 with the finalisation of the spatial planning and construction process and the establishment of temporary production and training facilities. This project of exceptional scope and quality will strengthen Fribourg’s industrial base and accelerate the canton’s competences in the fields of automation, robotisation and, more generally, Industry 4.0.

Olivier Curty, State Councillor for the Economy and Vocational Training, told the media conference: “Fribourg companies have demonstrated their resilience over the last few years and months, and neither the global pandemic nor the war in Europe can stop them from investing and creating new jobs. The canton of Fribourg is continuing its economic development successfully and vigorously

WIF Director Jerry Krattiger summarises: “The WIF has had a good year despite the difficult global economic context. After the Council of State defined the bio-economy and Industry 4.0 as the main axes of the cantonal economic development strategy almost three years ago, the Canton of Fribourg has successfully continued its positioning in these areas

New regional policy with 15 new projects
Under the 2020-2023 implementation programme of the New Regional Policy (NRP), 15 projects were approved last year, with a contribution of CHF 1.35 million. These projects are divided into the following areas: Community projects (9), programme for mountain regions (3), tourism (2) and new themes (1).

Work has also started on the NIP implementation programme 2024-2027. Industry and tourism remain the two priority themes. New cross-cutting themes include the local economy, sustainable development and digitalisation. In addition to its usual activities to support the creation, establishment and development of businesses and its activities in the field of NRP, the WIF has finalised the last COVID business support package last year.

April 2023
Groupe E begins construction work for the Neuchâtel site

Groupe E has started construction work on a new operations center on the Sécherons II business park in Boudevilliers, in the municipality of Val-de-Ruz, the Friborg energy supplier informs in a press release . An administration building, a warehouse, a car wash, a yard for recycling and an underground car park are to be built here. The company put the investment volume at around CHF 22 million in October 2020.

Groupe E wants to design the new building as a “prime example of sustainability and environmental protection,” according to the statement. Around 950 square meters of solar modules on the roof and south facade, charging stations for electric vehicles and a bicycle rental system are planned for this purpose. A heat pump will heat the rooms, and Groupe E will use a free-cooling system for cooling. Rainwater is also to be collected and used in the car wash. In addition, a 10-meter-wide green border strip will be laid out around the building as a retreat for animals.

Immediately after completion, Groupe E plans to relocate the company’s employees, who are currently based in Neuchâtel Corcelles-Cormondrèche and responsible for the operation and expansion of the electricity network in the canton of Neuchâtel, to Boudevilliers. According to the announcement, Groupe E supplies around 33,000 customers with a total of 458 gigawatt hours of electricity annually. Via the subsidiary Vuilliomenet Électricité AG based in Boudry NE, Groupe E also offers services in the canton of Neuchâtel in the field of building technology or electrical systems and home automation.

July 2022
Romande Energie buys in Valais

Romande Energie is increasing its presence in Valais. As announced by the Vaudois energy supplier, it is taking over Toutelec SA in Monthey. The installer of power lines and telephone systems, founded in 1990, is not only represented at its headquarters but also with branches in Troistorrents and Vouvry in Lower Valais and in Ollon VD.

Toutelec is now part of Romande Energie Services SA. The service subsidiary of Romande Energie is already represented in the cantons of Geneva and Friborg, in addition to Vaud, and plans to expand its range to the whole of western Switzerland. Alexandre Udry, who is responsible for the Valais at Romande Energie Services, is quoted as saying in the message that Toutelec is known for its expertise in the fields of power lines, telecommunications and security and is well anchored in the Lower Valais. "We look forward to being able to count on his professionalism in the future in order to strengthen our presence and our competencies in this area."

October 2020