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Swiss watchmaking industry heads for new record

This content was published on Aug 6, 2001 Commenting on the result, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry in Biel said that watchmaking had confirmed its place among the leading group of Switzerland’s most dynamic industries. There was a strong increase in exports of 18 carat gold watches (+18 per cent). However, there were negative trends volume-wise for stainless steel, plastic and…

Swiss tastes in alcohol go upmarket

This content was published on Aug 6, 2001 These are some of the findings in a document produced by the Swiss Alcohol Board, which has charted alcohol consumption in Switzerland between 1880 and 2000. A century ago, many of the working class in Switzerland used to drown their sorrows with spirits. But the Swiss today are far more moderate, preferring to become mildly…

Mikron unit joins forces with Tecstar

This content was published on Aug 6, 2001 Under the agreement, the partners will join forces to supply the North American market. In a statement on Monday, the Biel-based industrial group said the tie-up would significantly facilitate the venture’s entry into North America. It will also mean the transfer of production volumes from the US to Balda Mikron’s Asian production plants. Tecstar specialises…

Swiss charity pledges SFr100,000 to Polish flood victims

This content was published on Aug 6, 2001 The money will go into a special fund for emergencies, and will enable Caritas employees and volunteers to travel to the area to distribute food, drinking water, clothing and blankets to those worst hit by the disaster. The destruction caused by the flooding of the Vistula River in July was extensive, with housing, roads, public…

Ascom sells telephone business

This content was published on Aug 6, 2001 The division has had substantial losses because of fierce competition from Asia. But Swiss Capital Equity Holding said that after devising a new business plan, it was convinced the business could be profitable. The company said it would keep the division’s workforce of more than 150 employees. Ascom said the sale would have a negative…

Company results provide food for thought

This content was published on Aug 5, 2001 Among those reporting is the electrical parts firm, Saia Burgess, which recently downgraded its forecast for earnings this year. The company said in March it expected double-digit profit growth this year but now says it expects first half profit to be only in line with last year. Like so many other firms, Saia Burgess has…

Vaud builds economy on educated workforce

This content was published on Aug 5, 2001 Nestlé, a worldwide leader in the food sector and Switzerland’s largest industrial company, may be the best known company in Vaud. Crucial to the regional economy, not only does it have its world headquarters in Vevey but it also has important research centres near Lausanne and manufacturing sites in Yverdon. But Vaud cannot rely on…

Is Switzerland game for a laugh?

This content was published on Aug 5, 2001 This might seem a tall order for even the best stand-up comedian, but Schutzbach, who set up a “Fun and Laughter Practice” in the village of Ins outside Bern in May, believes he has found a willing patient. “The Swiss have a lot of humour, but they don’t really laugh so loudly – it is…

More job cuts mar the Swiss business scene

This content was published on Aug 4, 2001 Three hundred jobs are set to go when the company transfers its manufacturing operations back home. SGI said it planned to maintain a local office to continue distribution in Europe. SGI vice president for operations, Michel Bernard, said the move was prompted by economic pressures caused by the global IT downturn.Last week, the parent company…

Logitech: Developing the mouse that roared

This content was published on Aug 4, 2001 Graduates of the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne set up Logitech in 1981. Originally, they planned to publish software programmes and established themselves as a consulting group, but they quickly identified a gap in the PC market. They saw that the computer mouse was an essential accessory and began developing and producing products for…

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