Tag: Milliarden

  • Lucerne responds to tax pressure with a billion-euro package

    Lucerne responds to tax pressure with a billion-euro package

    International tax competition is being readjusted by the OECD minimum taxation and is hitting Lucerne hard. The previous advantage of low corporate taxes for internationally active groups will no longer apply. This could result in companies moving away, a drop in investment and a massive loss of tax revenue. Over a billion francs are at stake for the federal government, canton and municipalities – a scenario that Lucerne is not prepared to accept without taking action.

    Strengthening the business location, ensuring quality of life
    The cantonal government is responding with a far-reaching location promotion programme, which comprises around CHF 300 million per year. Around two thirds of this is to flow directly into measures to promote innovation, digitalisation, economic areas and a business-friendly administration. This will also create new opportunities for property developers and investors. In particular in the planning and realisation of forward-looking commercial and infrastructure projects.

    The remaining third is dedicated to quality of life. The measures range from tax relief and family friendliness to the promotion of culture and digital participation, key location factors when it comes to retaining talent and attracting new workers.

    Participatory and forward-looking
    The programme was developed in close consultation with the business community, municipalities and social partners. The public consultation will run until 9 June 2025 via the “e-participation” tool. The final decision lies with the people. The package will be put to the vote in September 2026 and is scheduled to come into force on 1 October 2026.

    Lucerne is sending a strong signal with this proposal. Location promotion is no longer an optional extra, but a strategic duty – and it requires clear, long-term investment.

  • Siemens Smart Infrastructure acquires Brightly

    Siemens Smart Infrastructure acquires Brightly

    Brightly Software , a software-as-a-service (SaaS) facility and maintenance management company based in Cary, North Carolina, has acquired Siemens Smart Infrastructure . A corresponding agreement has already been signed, Siemens informed in a statement . The purchase price is $1.575 billion plus a performance-based earn-out component.

    The takeover is intended to promote the growth of the Zug-based Siemens subsidiary in the digital and software as a service divisions. In particular, the acquisition will complement the offerings of Siemens Smart Infrastructure for building technology "with established cloud-based solutions in key sectors such as public infrastructure, education and healthcare as well as manufacturing," according to the release. At the same time, Siemens wants to use Brightly's position in the American market. In addition, the Group expects synergies with a net cash value in the mid three-digit million range.

    "With Brightly, we are taking a big leap forward and are taking the operation of buildings to the next level," Matthias Rebellius, Member of the Management Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure, is quoted as saying in the press release. The acquisition of Brightly supports Siemens' vision to "create fully autonomous buildings that continuously learn from the people who live in them and adapt to their needs".