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  • Swiss Prime Site buys Akara Group

    Swiss Prime Site buys Akara Group

    Swiss Prime Site buys the Zug-based Akara Group . The transaction is to be completed in mid-January retrospectively to the beginning of the year, the Solothurn real estate company informs in a message .

    The takeover is intended to strengthen the real estate fund division (Swiss Prime Site Solutions) at Swiss Prime Site. According to the announcement, Akara manages real estate investments totaling around CHF 2.3 billion. The partner companies have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

    "We are very pleased to be able to acquire an innovative, dynamic and at the same time established company with the Akara Group", René Zahnd, CEO of Swiss Prime Site, is quoted in the press release. "The fund provider's business model and corporate culture are a perfect match for Swiss Prime Site Solutions."

    The Akara Group consists of Akara Funds AG, Akara Real Estate Management AG and Akara Property Development AG. They are to be integrated into Swiss Prime Site Solutions in the course of next year. The portfolio of real estate assets under management, including the projects under development, will thus reach a volume of over CHF 6.5 billion, writes Swiss Prime Site. The real estate company expects to post a contribution to the operating result at EBIT level of CHF 27 to 28 million in the real estate funds division in 2022.

  • Ina Invest takes over the implementation of Bredella in Pratteln

    Ina Invest takes over the implementation of Bredella in Pratteln

    Ina Invest will take over the majority of the CERES Group Holding AG, informs the real estate company based in Opfikon in a message . Further shares in the company of the Lucerne investor Hermann Alexander Beyeler go to Ina Invest investment partners not named in the communication.

    The Bredella development area in Pratteln is named as the heart of the new acquisition. The industrial and commercial park located here is to be replaced in the next 20 years by a city quarter with 70 percent living space and 30 percent commercial space.

    Ina Invest writes that the market value of the properties on the 82,600 square meter area at Pratteln train station will increase from around CHF 300 million today to over CHF 1 billion. The commercial space in Bredella currently generates around 8.6 million Swiss francs in rental income. HRS Real Estate AG and Implenia as general contractors are to take on the implementation of the project in equal parts.

    Ina Invest intends to pay part of the purchase price in the form of shares. Specifically, 10 percent of Ina Invest's share capital is to be transferred to Hermann Alexander Beyeler. Ina Invest intends to offer the current tenants on the site "in the course of the site development further suitable areas on the site".

    In the same communication, Ina Invest communicates the appointment of Daniel Baumann as CFO. The business economist who works at Implenia has "supported Ina Invest in all business matters" since the company was spun off from Implenia and the subsequent IPO in summer 2020. Baumann will take up his new office at the beginning of 2022.

  • Rental housing market remains lively

    Rental housing market remains lively

    Between October 2020 and September this year, a total of 500,084 rental apartments were advertised on Swiss real estate portals, SVIT Switzerland informs in a message on the current online housing index ( OWI ). It is prepared every six months by the Association of the Real Estate Industry in cooperation with the Swiss Real Estate Institute of the Zurich School of Economics ( HWZ ).

    Compared to the comparison period shortly before the pandemic (October 2018 to September 2019), the number of advertisements has increased by around 40,000 or 8 percent, explain the analysts from SVIT and HWZ. Despite the temporary "extraordinary frictions" in the wake of the pandemic, the rental housing market remains "very lively".

    The average time from the launch of the advertisement to the rental of the apartment has decreased by one to 33 days compared to the same period, the message said. The analysts from SVIT and HWZ observed different developments in the individual regions.

    15 out of 26 cantons showed a decline in advertising times. These were the clearest, with values between ten and 14 days, in the rural German-speaking cantons of Uri, Graubünden and Bern, according to the announcement. In the cantons of western Switzerland, however, the advertising time was consistently longer than in the reference period. The analysts observed increasing numbers of advertisements in ten, while decreasing numbers in 16 cantons.

    In the announcement, the analysts also deal with a shift in demand on the rental apartment market in cities. Compared to the same period of the previous year, 40 percent more one-room apartments and 8 percent fewer apartments with five or more rooms were offered. In this way, "the structural oversupply for large, expensive apartments and the structural surplus demand for small, inexpensive apartments" have been partially reduced.

  • Early contract extension with the main tenant of the Escher-Wyss area

    Early contract extension with the main tenant of the Escher-Wyss area

    Allreal acquired the Escher-Wyss-Areal in 2002 and has been MAN ever since
    Energy Solutions Schweiz AG (“MAN”) the main customer on the 38,362 square
    meter plot of land in Zurich-West with a usable area of around
    87,000 square meters.

    The long-term partnership between MAN and Allreal is being continued,
    in which the lease, which expired on December 31, 2023, was prematurely extended by five years to at least December 31, 2028 under the same conditions as before. This involves around 32,000 square meters of commercial and storage space and around 11,500 square meters of office space.

    This means that the Escher-Wyss-Areal will continue to be the largest private industrial site in the future.
    location in the city of Zurich. According to the 2021 semi-annual report, MAN is one of Allreal’s five largest tenants, accounting for 6% of total rental income from commercial properties.

  • Implenia is building district heating tunnels in Hamburg

    Implenia is building district heating tunnels in Hamburg

    Implenia will build a 1.2 kilometer long tunnel for Wärme Hamburg , the construction and real estate company from Opfikon informs in a press release . The tunnel is to connect the north of Hamburg to a new heating network. To do this, it will cross under the Elbe around 2 kilometers west of the Elbe tunnel for the motorway.

    The work is divided into two phases, with the planning phase starting in October. Implenia has now received the order for further planning and construction work from the beginning of 2022, according to the announcement. The total order volume there is estimated at around 75 million francs.

    The work should be completed by the first quarter of 2025. To this end, Implenia will first create diaphragm walls for the start and finish shafts with a depth of up to 42 meters. A tunnel measuring 1.16 kilometers long and around 4.5 meters in diameter is then to be drilled between them and lined with precast concrete elements. Implenia is also responsible for planning and installing the operating technology for the district heating pipeline.

    "We are very pleased that we are able to create this large and complex infrastructure project for our customer Wärme Hamburg", Erwin Scherer, Head of Tunneling at Implenia, is quoted in the press release. "The fact that we are making a contribution to improving the sustainability of heat generation gives us additional motivation, because sustainability is an Implenia corporate value that we will also live by in this project."

  • SWISSBAU WILL BE POSTPONED TO MAY 2022

    SWISSBAU WILL BE POSTPONED TO MAY 2022

    Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the requirements for official approval from Swissbau in January 2022 are not met. Last Friday, the MCH Group, as the organizer of Swissbau, was informed by the canton of Basel-Stadt that, in accordance with the ‘COVID-19 regulation, special situation’, the refusal to hold Swissbau from January 18 to 21, 2022 would be issued.

    In initial discussions with leading exhibitors from all areas, despite the great disappointment, there was clear support for a postponement to the coming spring.

    Swissbau 2022 has been postponed and will now take place from Tuesday, May 3 to Friday, May 6, 2022 in Basel.

  • Swiss Prime Site: Acquisition of the Akara Group in Zug

    Swiss Prime Site: Acquisition of the Akara Group in Zug

    Acquisition of the founder-managed and successful Akara Group, Swiss Prime Site, strengthens the business model in the services segment with the intended takeover of the founder-managed Akara Group from Zug. Akara Funds AG was founded in 2016 by Karl Theiler and Jonathan van Gelder and developed into a fund provider regulated by FINMA with a focus on residential and commercial real estate.

    The group also includes Akara Real Estate Management AG, which provides real estate services in the areas of development, realization, management and marketing, and Akara Property Development AG, which manages a limited partnership for collective capital investments (KmGK). The group employs a total of around 50 specialized real estate specialists, all of whom will be taken over. The real estate assets under management total around CHF 2.3 billion and consist of the “Akara Diversity PK”, a real estate fund for tax-exempt pension schemes, the private equity product “Akara Property Development 1 KmGK” for qualified investors and a development pipeline (including Akara Tower, Baden) of over CHF 240 million. René Zahnd, CEO of Swiss Prime Site: “We are very pleased to be able to acquire an innovative, dynamic and at the same time established company in the Akara Group. The business model
    of the fund provider and the corporate culture are a perfect match for Swiss Prime Site Solutions. “

    Karl Theiler, CEO Akara adds: “The future membership of the Swiss Prime Site Group enables us to bundle our strengths in the area of funds and to significantly expand our market position.” The two contracting parties have agreed not to disclose the sales price. The acquisition will be financed 35% from Swiss Prime Site shares and the authorized capital provided for this purpose. The remainder of the transaction amount is paid from freely available funds.

    Significant expansion and strengthening of the group-wide investment platform
    The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in mid-January 2022 retrospectively to January 1, 2022. It is planned to integrate the Akara Group or the respective companies into Swiss Prime Site Solutions in the course of the 2022 financial year and to merge the two fund management companies. The intended merger will make Swiss Prime Site Solutions one of the leading Swiss real estate asset managers with real estate assets and under management (including development pipeline) of over CHF 6.5 billion and an expected EBIT contribution of CHF 27 to 28 million in 2022. With the acquisition, Swiss Prime Site Solutions can significantly expand its customer base and expand the existing investment platform with additional product and fund categories such as real estate private equity investments. To ensure an orderly transition, the two company founders will continue to work for the company until July 2022. There is also the option of further collaboration on a mandate basis. Anastasius Tschopp, CEO of Swiss Prime Site Solutions, sums up: “I am delighted to welcome the Akara team to our place and, together with Swiss Prime Site Solutions, to shape them into an even more quick-witted real estate asset manager. The two companies complement each other perfectly in terms of customers, employees and know-how. “

  • Reinforcement of the PRIVERA management

    Reinforcement of the PRIVERA management

    As of January 1, 2022, PRIVERA will strengthen its management team. Andreas Wegmüller will be the new Head of Management Switzerland and a member of the PRIVERA management team.

    Andrea Wegmüller is a federally certified real estate trustee. He has a master's degree in real estate management and has been part of the PRIVERA team for 5 years. He is currently regional manager for management in the east.

    Andrea Wegmüller will continue to head the management region East directly and will also be responsible for the West region on an interim basis. The Central Region will continue to be headed by Nicole Kuhn. From January 1, 2022, Nadja Abdelrahim will be the new head of the Wallisellen branch. Ms. Abdelrahim is a real estate manager with a federal certificate and has been a team leader at PRIVERA Wallisellen for almost three years.

    About PRIVERA AG
    A company of the Investis Group – has its headquarters in Gümligen. It is the leading independent Swiss real estate service provider. PRIVERA AG covers all real estate services along the life cycle of a property and thus offers its customers the decisive added value. Thanks to the nationwide network of branches, PRIVERA AG has a high level of regional market competence and excellent local relationships.

    Media contact PRIVERA AG
    Alisha hero
    Communication specialist
    T: 058 715 63 32
    alisha.held@privera.ch
    www.privera.ch

  • Bauwerk Schweiz is under pressure

    Bauwerk Schweiz is under pressure

    Five Swiss experts have worked out why Switzerland is facing major challenges and how they can be tackled sensibly and efficiently. To this end, they have drawn up a so-called roadmap entitled “The Swiss structure is under pressure to adapt”.

    With its bird's eye view of the entirety of buildings, streets, supply and disposal networks, traffic and much more, according to a report by the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ), the group wants to give a new impetus to the Swiss construction project that began ten years ago, and thus research and advance practice. Today Switzerland is facing massive challenges, for example due to climate change, natural hazards and population growth.

    Under the direction of Peter Matt, Fritz Hunkeler, Hans Rudolf Ganz, Laurent Vulliet, Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne , and Empa Deputy Director Peter Richner identified five segments that are particularly affected by the upcoming challenges: the building stock, the Infrastructures for freight and passenger traffic as well as drinking water and sewage networks. They rate the need for action and the potential for impact in passenger transport and buildings as particularly high.

    According to Richner, the group is pursuing several goals with the roadmap: “To show the importance of Switzerland as a structure for our society, to specify the need for action and, above all, to raise awareness that we can only develop a target-oriented strategy from an overall perspective. "

  • Swiss Proptech: Launch of Immowise, the very first digital solution to support co-owner meetings

    Swiss Proptech: Launch of Immowise, the very first digital solution to support co-owner meetings

    The solution was developed to meet market expectations and to facilitate the preparation, implementation and follow-up of general meetings of condominiums in Switzerland. It takes into account the specifics of each condominium and thus offers a digital tool that is suitable for both the administrators and the co-owners. All steps are optimized, regardless of whether the general assembly is being held in person or remotely, so that during the meeting you can concentrate on the exchange, advice and decision-making.

    A 100% Swiss platform, adapted to the specifics of Switzerland
    Immowise was developed by wise.swiss and is the first platform that was created for the digitization of general meetings of condominium owners on the Swiss real estate market. It is aimed at all institutions or persons entrusted with the administration and organization of owners’ meetings, regardless of whether they are real estate companies, independent administrators, self-governing owner associations or housing associations.

    The digital tool adapts to the specifics of each co-ownership. It enables the administrator to manage all phases of general meetings on the platform: management of invitations, creation and updating of the agenda, calculation and determination of the quorum, recording of notes and comments, recording of voting results and surveys. It is also possible to create digital protocols that are directly accessible on the platform.

    “Our solution aims to reduce the time required for the preparation, implementation and follow-up of general meetings by 20 to 30% while at the same time ensuring data security. The initial feedback from our customers has been very positive, both for remote use and for remote use on site
    confirms the usefulness of such a solution, “says Gilles von Burg, Director of Immowise.

    Digitization of the processes so that the managing directors can concentrate on the advice and the exchange with the floor owners at the GV
    Digitization not only saves time, it also makes it possible to provide the co-owners with all the information they need to take decisions in the owners’ meeting.

    Condominium owners can securely connect to the platform from their computer, tablet or smartphone and access all information about their building’s general meetings. This contributes to an optimal preparation of the general assembly for all participants.

    The administrator can thus fully fulfill his role as chairman of the meeting, focus on communication between those involved and optimize decision-making.

    “With the various solutions from wise.swiss, we are already supporting the digitization of companies and we have several real estate companies among our customers. The concept of a specific platform for managing general meetings was born in 2019 at your request, the pandemic drove the development forward, and so do we are pleased to be able to offer you a tailor-made, one hundred percent Swiss solution today, “adds Sebastian Chiappero, CEO of wise.swiss.

    The Immowise Terms of Use
    Immowise is available in two different offers: one-time use of the platform for the organization of a general meeting or an annual subscription for the complete digital management of the real estate portfolio.
    Photos of the Immowise solution are available: https://bit.ly/3bdIF1y

    About Immowise
    Immowise was founded in 2021 and is the first Swiss solution for the digitization of general meetings of joint owners. Developed and hosted in Switzerland, this application helps administrators and condominium owners prepare, manage and follow up on general meetings. It complements the wise.swiss software suite launched by EPwise AG in 2020, which offers public administrations and companies a range of digital communication and event organization tools (eventwise, partnerwise and fundwise).

    wise.swiss/immowise

    Media contact
    Voxia communication
    Hertha Baumann
    T. 043 344 98 49 I email: hertha.baumann@voxia.ch

  • Partners Group cooperates with StoryBuilt

    Partners Group cooperates with StoryBuilt

    The Partners Group , a global manager of private market investments, has partnered with the Texan real estate developer StoryBuilt , according to a press release . Both have formed a joint venture with a capitalization of $ 1 billion. It will fund 17 of StoryBuilt's existing projects as well as future acquisitions and developments in the most dynamic American cities of Austin, Dallas, Denver and Seattle.

    Projects include apartment buildings, condominiums, and mixed-use properties. "The Partners Group offers StoryBuilt a strong future in which we can accelerate our growth and steadily increase our property acquisitions and developments," said co-founder Anthony Siela in the press release.

    Scott Egarian, executive board member of Private Real Estate Americas at Partners Group, sees “strong thematic investment opportunities in the housing market in growth cities” for his company. The housing shortage there “should support demand in the years to come. We believe StoryBuilt has the right offer. "

  • Hächler donates to the old Rütibuck scout home

    Hächler donates to the old Rütibuck scout home

    The Wettinger construction company Hächler is providing the Pfadi Hochwacht Baden home association with CHF 10,000 as a contribution to the renovation of the old Rütibuck scout home. According to a press release , the Hächler Group supports a non-profit organization every year. The donation of 10,000 francs replaces the usual gifts to business partners at Christmas and the turn of the year.

    Who Hächler gives the donation to is never an easy decision, says the media release. There are many institutions that are worth supporting. This year Hächler chose the home club Pfadi Hochwacht Baden. He is the bearer of the old Rütibuck scout home in Baden. This was used by the scout department between 1932 and 1973. They then moved into the new youth center and the old scout home has since been available to children and youth organizations, school groups and sports clubs for weekly camps, training weekends or festivities.

    This winter, the old Rütibuck scout home will be renovated and the outer shell will be subjected to an urgently needed energetic renovation, according to the Hächler announcement. That includes the renovation of the statics, the insulation of the outer walls, replacement of the old windows with triple-glazed wooden windows. The house will also have central heating and there will be a “gentle renovation inside” with adjustment and refreshment work such as painting and modernization of toilets and showers.

    The donation to the old scout home is also the cover story of the company newspaper “ Der Hächler ”. An interview with Stefan Zantop, founding member of the Pfadi Hochwacht Baden home association, is printed there. And there are tips on donations or active help with the renovation.

  • Lucerne University of Applied Sciences offers training in digital construction

    Lucerne University of Applied Sciences offers training in digital construction

    From March 2022, the Techik & Architektur department at HSLU will be offering modular advanced training courses in digital construction. According to a media release , she wants to close the skills gap of numerous specialists in whose training digitization has not yet played a role.

    The HSLU starts with two Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS): Digital Construction – Ordering & Development and Digital Construction – Design & Planning. In the following semesters, the modules Management & Collaboration, Fabrication & Creation and Operation & Maintenance are to be added. The expansion to Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) is in preparation. Those who take part in the further training will become "a professional in digital ordering, planning, building and operation and will receive an in-depth overall view of the digital value chain and the lifecycle data management of tomorrow".

    As the HSLU notes, there is a lot of catching up to do in the construction industry when it comes to the application of digitally based processes, methods and technologies. Hundreds of corresponding advertisements can already be found on job portals. The curriculum is based on specific practical tasks and international requirements. "In this way, the participants create the best conditions for positions at home and abroad," says co-program director Markus Weber.

  • Madaster wins pom + as a partner

    Madaster wins pom + as a partner

    Madaster wants to strengthen the circular economy in the construction and real estate sector. For this purpose, it offers digital tools such as material passports and indices for recording the economic and circular value of buildings on its platform. In addition, companies are networked that are committed to circular economy in the construction and real estate sectors. With pom + Consulting AG ( pom + ), the Swiss cadastre for materials has now won another comrade, Madaster Switzerland informs in a message . The consulting company pom +, based in Technopark Zurich, specializes in construction and real estate companies.

    "In order to really achieve the goal of climate neutrality in the construction and real estate industry, an all-round view from planning to use is just as important as anchoring a sustainable real estate strategy," says Jürgen Marc Volm, partner and expert for circular economy at pom +, in the message quote. "Thanks to the data transparency over the entire project life cycle on Madaster, we can combine our expertise with the potential to answer future-oriented questions about the correct use of materials and material dismantling more easily."

    Madaster's building passports record data about the materials used in a building. In this way, future recycling of the material is made possible. The networking should make it easier for companies to disseminate knowledge in circular construction and to jointly develop approaches for a circular construction and real estate industry. With pom +, Madaster has gained a new partner "who integrates the concept of circularity in all services over the entire life cycle," says Marloes Fischer, Managing Director of Madaster Services Switzerland.

  • Aesch gets a sustainable heating network

    Aesch gets a sustainable heating network

    Primeo Energie and the municipality of Aesch are planning to set up “a large and sustainable district heating network”, the energy service provider from Basel informs in a message. It is supposed to supply large parts of the municipality with "renewable wood district heating". The investment required for this is estimated in the communication at CHF 20 million.

    In a first step, the partners want to develop the north of Aesch. After that, the network will gradually cover the remaining areas, according to the announcement. The existing heating networks of Primeo Energie and the community and residents' community in Aesch are to be renewed and merged in the new network.

    The plans also provide for the establishment of a new heating center. It will be built in the Weidenring and, in addition to two boilers, will also have a heat pump, explains Primeo Energie. Wood chips from the Aescher forest and the Angenstein district are mainly used as fuel. The peak load is absorbed by an oil boiler.

    In total, the planned heat generation amounts to around 16 gigawatt hours, writes Primeo Energie. According to the company, the share of renewable energy in heat production will be over 80 percent. In this way, more than 3000 tons of CO2 emissions could be avoided each year.

    The planning application for the association should be submitted by the end of this year. The first heat supplies could be realized at the beginning of the heating period 23/24, writes Primeo Energie. Interested property owners can already set up a connection.

  • GZA receives strategy award from "Financial Times"

    GZA receives strategy award from "Financial Times"

    As part of the fDi Strategy Awards 2021 , Greater Zurich Area AG ( GZA ) receives the specialist award for advanced manufacturing. The strategy prizes are awarded to global location promotions that have particularly distinguished themselves in certain areas in the current year. fDi intelligence is the department for foreign direct investment (fdi) of the London business newspaper ” Financial Times” .

    For this year’s edition, four jurors from the fDi team reviewed 34 locations and agencies that stood out in various fDi Intelligence rankings in 2021. The main prizes were awarded in the four main categories Global Cities of the Future, African Tech Ecosystems, American Cities of the Future and Tech Cities of the Future.

    Best investment promotion agency (IPA) was the New York City Economic Development Corporation. It also received the award for the highest degree of sustainability. Berlin Partner for Business and Technology received the award for the best aftercare services.

    In addition, the jury awarded prizes for outstanding achievements in specific sectors. She noted that the greater Zurich area, as Switzerland’s financial metropolis, has a strong concentration of companies using the most modern manufacturing processes. As stated in the judgment in favor of the GZA, this “in combination with the clusters for robotics and intelligent systems in the city” indicates “that the location will be an attractive center for high-tech manufacturing”.

  • Swarm is supposed to give wings to solar folding roofs

    Swarm is supposed to give wings to solar folding roofs

    Dhp technology , based in Zizers, wants to raise fresh funds from investors for further growth. To this end, the manufacturer of the folding solar roof called Horizon is now starting a swarm financing campaign, according to a media release . The goal is between 1 million and 3 million francs. The minimum investment is estimated at 120 francs. The campaign is expected to last until the end of January 2022. It will be carried out on the platform of the Zug-based provider Conda.ch .

    With the solar folding roof from dhp, solar modules are retracted and extended on a cable construction. The control takes place automatically and is based on the weather data. For example, the system can protect itself from a storm.

    According to dhp, the roof is particularly suitable for sewage treatment plants. There are 800 of these in Switzerland and around 80,000 in Europe. In addition, Horizon can be used in park, commercial and logistics areas. The company estimates the economic potential in Europe at around 60 billion euros.

    The solar folding roofs have been manufactured in a factory in Zizers since 2019. Twelve dhp systems are currently in operation. The next ones are already waiting for delivery.

    On the one hand, the solar folding roof is to be further developed with the fresh money. On the other hand, sales abroad are to be promoted.

  • Helvetia real estate fund shows good results

    Helvetia real estate fund shows good results

    The Helvetia (CH) Swiss Property Fund posted an overall profit of CHF 24.2 million in the first regular financial year, which ended on September 30, informs Helvetia Asset Management AG in a message . The overall success consisted of net income of CHF 12.8 million and an appreciation of the portfolio. The return on investment was 5.5 percent.

    The fund, which is mainly made up of residential properties, was "largely spared the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic", explains the Helvetia Group's investment manager. The rent default rate was reduced to 2.5 percent in the course of the year. The report puts the rental income at CHF 22.2 million.

    In the course of the financial year, the fund gained 18.9 percent in over-the-counter trading, the press release explains. This means that the SXI Real Estate Funds Broad TR, which is relevant for listed Swiss real estate funds, was exceeded with its performance of 15.3 percent. The market value of the properties rose by 2.3 percent or around 12.2 million francs year-on-year.

    Helvetia Asset Management intends to further expand its real estate portfolio in the current financial year. To this end, a capital increase of around CHF 200 million is planned for the end of March. The fund should also be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in three years at the latest.

  • Sika opens technology center in India

    Sika opens technology center in India

    Sika AG , headquartered in Baar, has opened a new facility in India. In the industrial city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, the specialty chemicals manufacturer is developing and producing adhesives and sealants for the Indian market in a new technology center and production facility, according to a media release .

    The 8-million city of Pune is a leading industrial center, in particular due to its established automobile manufacturers and suppliers. The new Sika location with laboratories for development and a factory for production is conveniently located in terms of traffic in order to be able to supply customers quickly, according to the press release.

    “The expansion of our own production facilities as well as our on-site research and development facilities promotes the development of our local know-how and brings enormous advantages to our customers. Customer-specific solutions can be developed, produced and delivered within a very short time. In this way we are laying the basis for Sika's long-term growth and further development in this important market, "said Morten Muschak, Corporate Target Market Manager Industry at Sika, in the press release.

    Sika AG wants to benefit from economic growth, increasing urbanization and a favorable investment policy in India. The country is currently home to the fifth largest automobile market in the world. According to forecasts, the construction industry will grow by an average of 6.5 percent per year by 2030. The vehicle industry is expected to grow by more than 10 percent per year, according to the press release.

  • Holcim buys American company

    Holcim buys American company

    Holcim is buying the American company Marshall Concrete Products , according to a media release . This specializes in concrete products for residential buildings and small businesses. It was founded in 1936 and is based in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

    With the acquisition, Holcim wants to expand its position in the USA. "The acquisition strengthens our presence in this strong growth market and contributes to Holcim's overall strategy of expanding our range of low-carbon products and solutions," Jan Jenisch, CEO of Holcim, is quoted as saying.

    According to the announcement, all Marshall Concrete Products employees will continue to be employed and integrated into Holcim's national subsidiary in the USA. No information is given about the purchase price.

  • Swiss Casino moves to Lokstadt

    Swiss Casino moves to Lokstadt

    On November 24th, the foundation stone "for a casino the likes of which Switzerland has never seen" was laid in the listed Rapide Hall in Winterthur 's Lokstadt , writes Swiss Casinos in a press release . According to her, the company based in Zurich is planning a building integrated into the hall. In the industrial atmosphere of this “Loki”, casino operations are to begin in 2025.

    A corresponding lease has already been signed, informs Ina Invest , the owner of the Lockstadt halls. This means that the Lokstadt halls with a total floor space of 8,200 square meters have been fully occupied, explains the real estate company from Opfikon in a separate communication . "Where locomotive history was once written, there will soon be overnight stays, entertainment, celebrations and games in a unique industrial setting", Ina Invest CEO Marc Baumann is quoted in the press release.

    Swiss Casino plans to close its casino in Schaffhausen, just under 30 kilometers from Winterthur, at the same time as the opening of the new casino in Winterthur. The Swiss Casino in Schaffhausen has posted a total of 18 million francs in loss over the past 18 years, according to the operating company's announcement. The around 70 employees in Schaffhausen are to be offered a position in Winterthur or within the Swiss Casinos Group.

  • Steel profiles from demolished objects should live on

    Steel profiles from demolished objects should live on

    Representatives of the Swiss steel and construction industry have formed an alliance for the recycling of used steel profiles in construction. According to a press release, representatives of the Swiss Steel Construction Center , the Christoph Merian Foundation , the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ), the Empa research and innovation building NEST and the Eawag water research institute met in situ at a round table in November , ZPF Ingenieure , Madaster and Sumami and decided to jointly promote the recyclability of steel profiles in Switzerland. The project team Purchasing Compass Recycling Management and the Metal suisse industry association were invited to the round table. The aim is to better understand the potential of steel profiles in the circular economy and to make it practicable.

    A car park in Basel belonging to the Christoph Merian Foundation that is being demolished is to serve as a prototype project. According to the announcement, the construction office in situ, which has already implemented projects in this context, is supporting this. It is now being investigated how the dismantling of the steel profiles in the parking garage can succeed, where the steel profiles are reinserted and where they can be stored in the meantime. Steel profiles are considered to be particularly recyclable because they can be expanded in their existing form and usually integrated directly into new buildings. There is no loss of material or quality and no energy is required for melting or reshaping.

    Through this energy saving, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced directly during construction. The direct reuse of building materials without recycling represents the greatest lever in reducing emissions in the construction industry. In addition to steel profiles, concrete, facade elements, windows or doors can also be reused.

  • Samih Sawiris' son is to take over at Orascom

    Samih Sawiris' son is to take over at Orascom

    Orascom Development Holding ( Orascom DH ) announces a change in leadership. Samih Sawiris will step down from his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the next Annual General Meeting in spring 2022 after more than 30 years. The Egyptian investor does not stand for re-election.

    His son Naguib will propose Samih Sawiris as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2016 and its Vice Chairman since 2020. As part of the planned succession plan, Naguib Samih Sawiris is to become the new majority shareholder in Orascom DH. Samih Sawiris will transfer control to his son for this.

    Samih Sawiris wants to continue to be available to the holding company as a consultant. He also remains Chairman of the Board of Directors of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG . Orascom DH holds a 49 percent stake in Andermatt Swiss Alps AG. The majority is and remains privately owned by Samih Sawiris.

    In total, the Orascom DH portfolio includes destinations in seven countries. In addition to Switzerland, these include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Morocco, Montenegro and Great Britain. The holding's shares are listed on the SIX.

  • FHNW gets professor for circular building

    FHNW gets professor for circular building

    For the Institute of Sustainability and Energy in the building of the University of Architecture, Building and Geomatics of the FHNW , circular economy is an important part of environmentally and resource-saving construction. In order to further develop research and education in the areas of energy-efficient and climate-neutral building, integral building technology, sustainable building and operation, resource-efficient and circular building as well as health aspects in buildings, the institute is establishing the professorship of circular building. The architect Andrea Klinge is to take over the corresponding chair.

    Klinge studied architecture at the Technical University of Berlin, the FHNW informs in a message about the new professorship. After further training in sustainable building at the London Metropolitan University, the designated professor worked in various architecture offices in London, Rome and Berlin. Klinge is currently active at ZRS Architekten Ingenieure Berlin. The architect and trained carpenter have established a research department here, according to the announcement.

    In her new position, Klinge wants to tackle “the current challenges in the construction sector”. "This is one of the most resource-intensive economic sectors in the world and contributes significantly to climate change," the professor-designate is quoted in the press release. “In order to meet the Paris climate goals, we urgently need consistent approaches that implement the necessary building turnaround in the construction sector.” According to Barbara Sintzel, Head of the Institute for Sustainability and Energy in Construction, Klinge “has specialist expertise in the use of ReUse components and renewable building materials to help achieve a breakthrough in practice with applied research and thus make the building turnaround possible ”.

  • Construction of housing estate in Zurich's Guggach area begins

    Construction of housing estate in Zurich's Guggach area begins

    Representatives of the city of Zurich broke ground for the construction of the Guggach III residential and commercial estate. At the intersection of Hofwiesenstrasse and Wehntalerstrasse, 111 non-profit apartments for around 300 people will be built in the coming years, according to a media release . The first tenants are expected to be able to move in in the second quarter of 2024.

    The City of Zurich is developing the Guggach area in Zurich-Unterstrass together with the Simple Living Foundation. For this purpose, the city has given part of its land reserve to the public foundation under building law, according to the media release.

    Two residential buildings with commercial units on the ground floor and a building for a kindergarten are being built on the 8,500 square meter property. A school with a gym and a park are to be built in another part of the area.

  • Hälg buys Malpur

    Hälg buys Malpur

    The building technology company Hälg , based in the St.GallenBodenseeArea, announces the purchase of the Zürcher Malpur Gebäudetechnik AG in a press release. Malpur moves the company headquarters and the workforce to the headquarters of Hälg in Winterthur and cedes the proper name. Both companies will operate on the market as Hälg & Co. AG in the future.

    With the merger, two industry giants in the building technology division are pooling their competencies: Boris Bischoff, branch manager of Hälg & Co. AG Winterthur, in the communication quoted. Malpur has many years of industry experience in the professional maintenance and repair of building technology systems.

    Hälg announces that the takeover took place retrospectively as of January 1, 2021 and that it aims to be the "leading Swiss service company for building technology in the fields of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and sanitation over the entire life cycle of a system".

  • Holcim is building a 3D-printed settlement

    Holcim is building a 3D-printed settlement

    With its joint venture 14Trees and the British development finance institute CDC Group , Holcim wants to realize the largest 3D-printed house complex in Africa. In Kilifi, Kenya, the Mvule Gardens development is to create affordable living space in 52 buildings. The building material manufacturer has now announced this. The project is part of the regenerative ecosystem Green Heart of Kenya , a model for inclusive and climate-resilient cities. Construction will start in early 2022.

    The project builds on Holcim's first 3D printed school in Malawi. It is intended to close an acute infrastructure gap. "14Trees is pioneering the use of cutting-edge technology to address one of Africa's most pressing development needs – affordable housing – and create life-changing infrastructure for entire communities," said Tenbite Ermias, CEO of CDC Africa, as quoted in the press release.

    14Trees has set itself the goal of addressing the lack of affordable housing in Africa with 3D printing and intelligent design, while creating skilled local jobs at the same time. As demonstrated in Malawi, the technology can reduce a house's ecological footprint by more than 50 percent compared to conventional methods, according to Holcim. Accordingly, they have the EDGE certificate for resource- efficient buildings.

    The MASS Design Group , an architecture firm based in the USA and Africa, designed the Mvule Gardens. They are designed to create affordable, sustainable and reproducible housing units that are adapted to the Kenyan environment.

  • Empa concrete project receives funding

    Empa concrete project receives funding

    The Ernst Göhner Foundation , based in Zug, is funding a research project for high-performance concrete at the Federal Materials Testing and Research Institute ( Empa ). She has now made an unspecified amount available to the Empa Future Fund as start- up funding, according to a media release .

    This supports a research project for more environmentally friendly concrete. This has a lower CO2 footprint than conventional reinforced concrete because it is more durable and stable. In addition, the self-tensioning concrete can be used more sparingly.

    The project is a so-called high-risk-high-gain project. "The risk of failure is high, but there is also a lot to be won," Masoud Motavalli, head of the research department for engineering structures at Empa in Dübendorf, is quoted in the media release. Since 2008 he had approached potential sponsors with the idea of prestressed high-performance concrete.

  • Steiner AG can realize the residential building project Haus Weiler

    Steiner AG can realize the residential building project Haus Weiler

    The building permit for the new building project Haus Weiler in Winterthur's Neuhegi district is legally binding. As Steiner AG , which was commissioned with the planning, informed in a press release , the first apartments should be ready for occupancy in spring 2025. Residents will find peace and quiet and close to nature, but at the same time can reach the city in around 15 minutes by bike or bus, according to the message.

    The new residential development will close another gap in the KIM area. A modern building with 80 modern apartments with two and a half to five and a half rooms is to be built on 3328 square meters. The extraordinary room heights are a special feature. "While the apartments on the ground floor are equipped with private garden seating, the residential units on the top floors will impress with their large, private terraces," the company reports. The plans also provide for “a cozy inner courtyard”, which offers space for “cozy get-togethers, lingering, relaxing and playing”.

    The KIM quarter, launched in 2018 in the Oberwinterthur district , sees itself as “a lively and multi-layered quarter with commercial and residential buildings of various sizes”. The new district combines the advantages of urban structures with high recreational value at the same time. Green areas, playgrounds and car-free zones as well as attractive shopping opportunities in the area are named as strengths.

  • Digitalswitzerland shows start-ups the Swiss market

    Digitalswitzerland shows start-ups the Swiss market

    The Digitalswitzerland initiative aims to attract promising young companies to Switzerland. To this end, it launched the Swiss Market Entry Program, which was carried out for the fourth time this year in cooperation with the European innovation platform Kickstart .

    As part of the program, start-ups that are already successful abroad receive an insight into the Swiss ecosystem. Meetings with leading companies, public institutions and innovation programs are organized. The aim is to motivate companies to enter the Swiss market and to support them in doing so.

    According to an announcement , 25 start-ups from 16 countries took part in the Swiss Market Entry Program this year. They come not only from European countries, but also from the USA and Israel. A company from New Zealand also took part with CarbonClick . It supports companies in climate protection by giving them carbon offsets.

    The 25 start-ups were received in Switzerland on December 6th. The program took place in the Kraftwerk, a former power station that has been converted into a space for innovation in Zurich.