"Automation is and remains the key to making industry future-proof and competitive. It enables efficiency gains, new business models and more added value. We are noticing that more and more companies are turning to automation platforms with ecosystems, as these offer the greatest possible scope for action. This trend will continue to intensify in 2025," explains Steffen Winkler, Sales Manager of the Automation & Electrification Solutions business unit at Bosch Rexroth.

Even stronger focus on security with Cyber Resilience Act

With the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) coming into force at the end of 2024, manufacturers and operators of industrial automation systems are facing new security requirements. The European regulation aims to improve security standards for digital products and thus strengthen their resilience to cyber attacks. Products should be securely designed and updatable throughout their entire life cycle.

"IT security is more essential than ever for successful digitalization strategies and products. The CRA provides clear guidelines here - an important step towards creating a high level of security across the board and strengthening users' trust in digital solutions. It is therefore important to make automation solutions fit for these challenges, just as we have already done with our ctrlX OS operating system. It is designed to be secure from the ground up and is therefore ideally prepared for the requirements of the CRA," says Winkler.

For companies in the automation industry, the CRA means an even greater focus on safety and product integrity. Compliance with the new guidelines requires a rethink that begins as early as the product development stage.

AI is a driver of innovation in automation

Artificial intelligence will continue to grow in importance in 2025 - including in the automation sector. More and more AI-supported applications are being incorporated into automation systems. AI-based apps are also already available in the partner world ctrlX World.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being embedded in software. AI-supported software modules, such as neural networks for image processing solutions, are changing automation possibilities. In practice, AI is also providing new operational insights by analyzing data streams in automation devices. And it is changing the way we work, for example in software development. Tools such as Coding Co-Pilots accelerate programming and help to write code faster.

This enables significant efficiency gains both in the development of automation technologies and in their application.

Sustainability as a strategic goal

Sustainability and energy efficiency will continue to drive the industry and therefore also the automation sector. Industry plays a crucial role in achieving global climate targets. Sustainable production requires zero emissions, resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

This is why, for example, more and more energy-saving functions are being incorporated into automation components. Energy and performance simulation tools are also making an important contribution to optimizing the energy efficiency of production processes. There is further potential in the professional remanufacturing of automation components: Remanufacturing reduces the CO2 footprint of used components by more than 50 % compared to new products and conserves valuable resources.

Open ecosystems for collaborative innovations

"The automation industry in Germany is an international leader. In order to secure and expand this leading position, it is crucial to further strengthen Germany as a business location and promote the industry's competitiveness," explains Winkler, adding: "Being a technological leader alone is no longer enough to remain successful in global competition in the long term."

The key lies in open platforms and collaborative ecosystems that create real benefits for users. Such ecosystems combine the strengths of different players and thus enable the development of new, innovative approaches. This creates a culture of collaboration in which partners from different areas work together on solutions that go far beyond the capabilities of individual companies. Open cooperation also strengthens users' confidence in digital technologies, as they receive more flexible, interoperable and future-proof solutions.

Bosch Rexroth is constantly driving forward openness and co-creation in the world of automation with its ctrlX OS operating system and the ctrlX AU-TOMATION automation system.

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This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/trends-in-der-automatisierung-sicherheit-ki-und-nachhaltigkeit-sind-zukunftstreiber/

The waste disposal specialist Römer AG is building a new recycling center in Villmergen, Aargau. On the second floor, private individuals will find the modern "Brings" collection point, which is accessible 24 hours a day. 17 chutes channel the waste into the hall on the first floor, where the various materials are processed and removed.

Environmentally friendly district heating and electricity from solar modules

The new recycling center is all about sustainability. Environmentally friendly district heating heats the administration building. A photovoltaic system on the roof of the recycling center will ensure that the building is supplied with electricity. In future, only electricity-powered machines will be used, including forklifts and trucks. However, it is not only the district heating and green electricity from the roof that stand for sustainability, but also the steel beams for the roof construction.

CO₂-reduced steel reduces the ecological footprint

Some of the steel beams were supplied by Debrunner Acifer AG, which offers CO₂-reduced steel under the Nexigen® brand. This is produced using energy from hydropower, which significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to conventional steel. "Nexigen steel offers a sustainable alternative to conventionally produced steel," says Marc Kreissig, Head of Steel Construction at the Wetter Group. The company was responsible for the planning, structural design, manufacture and assembly of the steel structure for the roof of the recycling center.

"Steel industry, building owners and project managers need to rethink"

While 170 tons of the steel used was produced with green electricity, a further 65 tons came from conventional production. Marc Kreissig explains: "Nexigen steel is not yet 100 percent available." This is mainly due to the fact that the market has not yet sufficiently embraced CO2-reduced steel. This will hopefully change, but requires a joint commitment. "On the one hand, it is up to the steel industry to become active and enrich the market with sustainable steel and metal solutions such as Nexigen. On the other hand, project managers and building owners in particular need to rethink and focus on sustainable construction and sustainable products."

The recycling center is scheduled to open in April 2025.

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The key players in the overall FSIO 2026 project will provide first-hand reports on the core topics of the regulations and share new knowledge. Lars Mülli, the overall project manager, opens the conference with a vivid overview. The project team, headed by Prof. Isabel Engels, risk expert Dr. Matthias Schubert and legal expert Dr. Josua Raster, will explain the legal aspects and the new risk orientation in fire protection legislation. In addition, GVZ fire protection expert Michael Rüegg will focus on performance-based verification procedures.

How have the concerns of the Swiss construction industry been incorporated into BSV 2026? What has been achieved and what opportunities do the new fire protection regulations open up? To what extent is a rethink necessary among building owners and all professionals interested in fire protection? Reinhard Wiederkehr and Thomas Wipfler, two renowned experts and members of the project steering committee, will be on the podium to share their views.

New regulations - new training certificates

The introduction of the BSV 2026 will also bring changes to the training and examination landscape. What are the plans of the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) regarding retraining and transition concepts as well as the skills required in the future? Where and when can I attend retraining courses on the new fire protection regulations? The head of the VKF's Training Division, André Grubauer, provides information.

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This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/grosse-nachfrage-zur-gvz-tagung-brandschutz-2025/

Andreas Wyss will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting of Abacus Research AG as a new member of the Board of Directors. He is a qualified auditor and has been responsible for various management positions at BDO in Switzerland, Canada and the USA for over 30 years. As a member of the Executive Board, Andreas Wyss managed the Zurich / Eastern Switzerland region and was also responsible for the Abacus software department at BDO. In this role, he maintained close relationships with Abacus clients. In addition, as "Head of International Clients & Relationships" and "International Liaison Partner", he was responsible for the BDO network of international clients.

In addition to his future role as a member of the Board of Directors, Andreas Wyss is already actively contributing his broad experience and network to Abacus. Daniel Senn, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abacus Research AG: "His outstanding knowledge of the ERP environment and his extensive network of contacts make him a valuable addition to our company. We look forward to working with Andreas Wyss and wish him every success in his new role."

Source: www.abacus.ch

Swiss people eat around 23 kilos of cheese per capita every year. What many people don't know: Cheese is the food with the second largest ecological footprint - right after beef. Its production is resource-intensive and indirectly dependent on state subsidies. In addition, Switzerland is dependent on animal feed from abroad. It is precisely this ecological problem that New Roots is tackling with its plant-based cheese and dairy products, winning the Green Business Award. "New Roots achieves ecological impact with a mixture of innovation and tradition and is therefore also very successful economically," says jury president Doris Leuthard about the decision.

Cheese alternatives with up to 60% less CO₂ emissions than cow's milk products

The story of New Roots begins with a sports accident: to recover from his injury, former professional mountain biker Freddy Hunziker switched to a vegan diet. But he lacked tasty cheese alternatives. So, together with Alice Fauconnet, he began researching alternatives to conventional cheese himself. Since 2016, New Roots has been developing, producing and selling plant-based and protein-rich cheese and dairy alternatives made from cashew, lupin or chickpeas. The products cause around 60% less CO₂ and use 40% less water than cow's milk products, thereby significantly reducing the ecological footprint. New Roots relies on traditional Swiss production methods and works closely with local cheese dairies and farms.

"Our aim is to preserve tradition but enrich it with new impulses. That's why we rely on the centuries-old craft of natural fermentation and maturation - simply using plant-based milk as the basis," says Alice Fauconnet, co-founder of New Roots. The founders sold their first products at the weekly market in Thun - today their plant-based cream cheese, fondue and raclette alternatives are available in Migros and Coop stores, among others, and can be ordered online and delivered to your home by post. The products are also already available in restaurants in the DACH region and New Roots is planning to expand further abroad. The company employs 40 people at its headquarters in Oberdiessbach (BE).

The most coveted sustainability award in the Swiss economy

The Green Business Award was presented today at an event organized by Impact Gstaad. Co-founder and CEO Freddy Hunziker commented on the win: "Believing in something that doesn't yet exist requires courage and willpower. The Green Business Award shows us that our perseverance is paying off and that we are on the right track." The vegan dairy New Roots beat two companies in the final: Algrano, the online marketplace for green coffee, and Selfrag, which recovers valuable raw materials from slag from waste incineration plants.

Since 2019, the Green Business Award has been recognizing companies that combine ecological innovation with economic success. "Together with Impact Gstaad, we give our finalists unique access to growth financing so that role models like New Roots can also have an international impact. We also give our finalists visibility, because change starts with role models," says Cédric Habermacher, Director of Green Business Switzerland. The selection process takes place in a multi-stage procedure. The main jury includes 16 well-known personalities, including Mobiliar CEO Michèle Rodoni, Swiss Post CEO Roberto Cirillo and ETH professor Reto Knutti.

Source: www.greenbusinessaward.ch

Almost 50,000 paving stones were laid, 54 km of electrical cables were laid and 6,300 cubic meters of concrete were poured. The multifunctional "Mehrwerk" building in the center of Chur, on the site of the former forestry yard, is now open. The client, Inventx, has invested more than CHF 40 million to provide its now almost 550 employees with sufficient space and a state-of-the-art digital working environment. In addition to co-working zones and an Innospace, they also have access to a yoga room, an underground parking garage with e-charging stations and an in-house restaurant. The "Bytes" on the first floor is also open to the people of Chur with a Mediterranean and locally inspired range of dishes, as a café or bar and event venue.

Eight apartments with a timeless urban design and a view of the old town and the mountains have been created on the top floor. The Chur city archives have moved into the basement. The archive now has sufficient and suitable space to preserve its holdings in accordance with the law.

Modern working world for the future

Gregor Stücheli, Chairman of the Board of Directors and initiator of "Mehrwerk", is full of joy and pride. "Inventx promised to create value-adding jobs in 2017 when it voted to hand over the land on the site. We have already fulfilled this promise in the years between laying the foundation stone and moving into the Mehrwerk and we plan to continue growing just as successfully. The new headquarters is also a sign of appreciation for our employees, who find the best conditions for co-creation and co-innovation with us. As the largest IT and digitalization provider in Graubünden and the backbone of the Swiss financial industry, we want to continue to attract the best talent in the future."

Emanuele Diquattro, CEO of Inventx, adds: "I can't imagine a better start to my role and I invite our community to work with us on ambitious digitalization projects and to use our co-working spaces and meeting zones to exchange experiences. Not only in Chur, of course, but also at our other locations in St. Gallen, Zurich and Bern, to shape the future of the banking and insurance industry together."

The Mehrwerk will be opened on February 14 with invited guests and a presentation by Gregor Stücheli on the economic significance of Inventx.

Source: www.intentx.ch

For Generation Z, flexibility and work-life balance are non-negotiable. This is also reflected in their preferences for additional benefits. A recent survey by Robert Walters shows the five most popular benefits for Generation Z:  

• Flexible working hours and remote working
• Additional vacation days and opportunities to take a career break
• Personal development and training programs
• Performance-related bonuses
• Transportation subsidies

How are companies reacting to this? 

Companies have recognized that offering flexible working options and attractive benefits is key to attracting and retaining young talent. The survey shows that 85 % of companies will continue to offer remote working in 2025. In addition, fringe benefits will be reviewed and better tailored to the needs of young graduates. In addition to bonuses and additional vacation days, these offers increasingly focus on mental health, sports opportunities and work-life balance.  

Ambitious: not so keen on management positions  

Despite their desire to make a difference, many of Generation Z are not attracted to traditional management positions. In fact, one in three Gen Z professionals would rather not take on a middle management role. The reason for this is obvious: they find them too stressful for the remuneration. Instead, they are looking for positions where they can develop their skills and which offer more autonomy.  

How are companies reacting to this?   

The traditional career ladder is being replaced by more dynamic growth paths that are better suited to the needs of young talent. Team-based or flat structures encourage collaboration, give employees more control over their work and create space for personal development. Wellbeing in the workplace is also a priority, with programs dedicated to mental health and job satisfaction.  

Communication style: digital and direct  

For Generation Z, communication is crucial to their work experience and their preferences are heavily influenced by technology:  

• 59 % of Generation Z professionals prefer emails or chats to phone calls
• Every second person feels uncomfortable with business calls

Applications such as Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp are increasingly becoming the most important means of communication in the workplace. They offer a fast, informal way of communicating that caters to the preferences of younger employees.  

However, phone calls will not disappear from the world of work. Rather, video calls are on the rise. Companies are therefore offering communication training to ensure that employees can communicate effectively and professionally across all channels. Mentoring programs also help young professionals build confidence, including with regard to professional phone calls.  

The future of work  

Although Generation Z has only been in the workforce for a short time, they bring new perspectives and different priorities with them. They challenge companies to re-evaluate their working conditions and organizational cultures.  

Companies that adapt to these trends not only create an attractive working environment for Generation Z, but also lay the foundation for a future-proof culture. With the right adjustments, companies can attract, motivate and retain talent - not just now, but for generations to come.

Source: www.robertwalters.ch

Malte Lindberg was previously Head of Capital Goods Leasing at the former Credit Suisse AG and has many years of experience in the financial services industry, particularly in the leasing sector. His move to Würth Leasing AG underlines the strategic orientation of the company, which aims to further expand its position as a reliable financing partner for medium-sized companies in Switzerland.

The takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS has increased the need for alternative financing providers for SMEs. Würth Leasing AG sees it as its task to provide SMEs in Switzerland with optimum support in the form of individually tailored leasing solutions and to offer them the necessary financial flexibility.

Malte Lindberg comments on his new role: "SMEs are the backbone of the Swiss economy. Especially in times of change, innovative and reliable leasing solutions are crucial as part of a balanced financing mix. I look forward to breaking new ground together with the Würth Leasing AG team and further consolidating our position as a strong partner for SMEs."

Beat Zbinden, who is stepping down after many successful years at the helm of Würth Leasing AG, will continue to support the company in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth handover.

Source: www.wuerthleasing.ch

Urs Reinhard has many years of management experience in the field of digitalization. Most recently, he was CEO of Dialog Verwaltungs-Data, a municipal software provider belonging to Swiss Post. Prior to that, he worked as a Partner and Managing Director at the Boston Consulting Group and as Chief Digital & Customer Officer and member of the Executive Board at UPC.

With his expertise in digital transformation and organizational development, he will help to drive the company's growth and further strengthen Eraneos' strategic market positioning both locally and internationally. While Urs Reinhard will focus in particular on the private sector, Adrian Wägli will continue to look after the public sector as Managing Partner.

"With Urs Reinhard, we are gaining a leader with strategic vision and pragmatic implementation skills. I am delighted that he will help shape the further growth phase of Eraneos and turn our customers' transformation initiatives into sustainable success," says Oliver Vaterlaus, CEO Eraneos Group.

Urs Reinhard on his move to Eraneos: "I am looking forward to actively shaping the exciting development of the company together with Adrian Wägli and the Eraneos team, achieving further milestones and setting new standards in digital transformation."

Source: www.eraneos.com

The course, which is based at the FHNW School of Business, enables participants to gain a concrete impression of the Indian market and to network with stakeholders in Switzerland and India who have already gained experience in economic relations between the two countries. In addition to webinars and on-site events in Switzerland, a nine-day study trip to India gives participants the opportunity to gain an in-depth impression of the opportunities and potential of the Indian market on site in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Trade agreement with India as an advantage

"Thanks to the new trade agreement, India offers enormous business opportunities for Swiss SMEs," says Prof. Pieter Perrett from the Institute for Competitiveness and Communication ICC. "The agreement provides for import duties on Swiss products and services to be significantly reduced or abolished in 95% of cases over the next few years. This will also make 'made in Switzerland' much more competitive in terms of price."

Co-director of the study program Marco Casanova adds: "India is the most populous country, has a stable democracy, a steadily growing middle class and 50% of the population is under 25 years old. Above all, Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation in India. The recently signed TEPA trade agreement will create a new, highly lucrative 100 billion dollar market in the next 10 to 15 years."

Training program for SMEs

The continuing education program combines expertise from the fields of business, culture, society and politics. At the FHNW's ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of its India activities, National Councillor Nik Gugger (President of the Swiss-India Parliamentary Group) also emphasized the importance of such initiatives: "I congratulate the FHNW here as an academic 'first mover' for taking the trade agreement between Switzerland and India as an opportunity to give SMEs in Switzerland the opportunity to engage with the booming billion-dollar market of India in a well-founded and concrete way."

Cooperation program with the SICC

The continuing education program developed in close cooperation with the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce SICC also comes at the right time for its President Philippe Reich: "The TEPA trade agreement signed in March 2024 will most likely be ratified in the councils this summer and then India will become an absolute game changer for the Swiss economy. We at SICC are very pleased that such a program is being offered for interested Swiss SMEs on the initiative of the FHNW and are happy to support it with full conviction."

Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary and Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), emphasizes the importance of such coordinated initiatives: "As a state, we can create the framework conditions through agreements with other countries. It is then up to the local economy to fill these with life. Science can also make a significant contribution to representing Swiss interests." This continuing education program was developed by the FHNW in close cooperation with the business community. It documents precisely Switzerland's strength by bringing together various stakeholders to provide important impetus for Switzerland as a business location, which serves to enable our prosperity through promising partnerships in growth areas.

The continuing education program will start on 28 August 2025 with a two-hour webinar (online), followed by an on-site event on 11 September 2025 at the FHNW in Olten. The study trip to India is planned from October 5 to 13, 2025.

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The SwissSkills National Team 2025 is ready for double duty: at EuroSkills 2025 in Herning, Denmark, from September 9 to 13, 16 young talents will be competing for medals against their colleagues from 32 countries. The European Skills Challenge also offers 4 other team members the opportunity to compete against the best in their field. These will take place from November 12 to 15, 2025 as part of the "Fiutscher" vocational exhibition in Chur and from November 20 to 23, 2025 in Salzburg, Austria.

This supplementary competition is aimed at professions that are not part of the official EuroSkills program. The 20 members of the SwissSkills National Team won through at the Swiss vocational championships and are now determined to impress on the European stage. They all wear the Swiss colors with pride and want to show what makes Swiss vocational education and training unique worldwide.

20 talents ready to give their all

The young professionals are not only masters of their trade, but also ambassadors for dual vocational education and training. They are backed by a strong network of professional associations, experts and employers. Together, they prepare themselves with a tailor-made training program that comprises a total of over 1000 hours per competitor. The team members will hone their technical, mental and physical skills in four intensive preparation weekends and numerous individual training sessions. In addition to technical perfection, team spirit also plays a key role. Because even if each individual competes individually, it is the strength of the entire team that counts in the end.

Achieving success with passion and precision

Martin Erlacher, Technical Delegate of the SwissSkills National Team, is convinced: "Our competitors are highly motivated and ready to give their best. EuroSkills and the European Skills Challenge offer a unique opportunity to showcase the performance and quality of Swiss vocational education and training. With passion, precision and team spirit, we want to achieve top results again this year." Expectations are high: the team should build on the impressive successes of recent years and once again bring home many medals.

Source: www.swiss-skills.ch

The success story began when August Baggenstos opened a typewriter repair workshop in the basement of Auf der Maur No. 5 in Zurich in 1925. By the 1950s, the company had already sold over 80,000 typewriters of the Swiss Hermes brand and had three locations in the city of Zurich.

The PC era at Baggenstos began in 1984 when Thomas Baggenstos, the founder's son, joined the company. This was followed by a period of rapid growth and the move to Wallisellen. The company relied on PCs from IBM, Compaq and later HP and expanded its portfolio to include server and IT infrastructure solutions.

The focus on the partnership with Microsoft began with the acquisition of Netcom in 2008. Under the leadership of CEO Michael Kistler, Baggenstos concentrates on innovative solutions in the area of cloud and managed services in order to meet modern market requirements.

"Our 100th anniversary is a moment of pride and gratitude," says Chairman of the Board Thomas Baggenstos. "We would like to thank our customers for their many years of trust and our employees for their commitment and passion, which have accompanied us all these years."

A look into the future

With a clear focus on digital innovation and a strong heritage as a foundation, Baggenstos is ideally equipped to continue its success in the decades to come. The anniversary celebrations are not only an opportunity to honor the past, but also to look to the future.

Source: www.baggenstos.ch