The supply chains are interrupted: "Currently not available - or only with a time delay and a high surcharge." This is the answer many companies are currently receiving when they want to order materials and precursors needed for their production. Figures published by the IFO Institute show how tight supply capacities have been for months in many sectors. According to these, 70 percent of manufacturing companies in the DACH region are currently complaining about supply bottlenecks that are hampering their production. The automotive industry is the most affected (91.5 percent), followed by mechanical engineering (80 percent). Among manufacturers of electronic products, too, 4 out of 5 complain of supply problems. It remains unclear which companies are specifically meant by this. After all, sensors and chips are installed in almost all technical devices today. That's why washing machines, razors and e-bikes are often said to be "out of stock" at the moment.

Many supply chains are more fragile than thought

Until the Corona pandemic broke out, many companies never imagined that their supply chains could prove so fragile. But then the virus arrived and led to a worldwide slump in industrial demand. So many manufacturers of precursors also reduced their production capacities. These are now lacking, as the global economy has picked up unexpectedly quickly, also due to many government stimulus programs. As a result, strong demand is being met by reduced production capacities for intermediate products and extraction capacities for raw materials. Added to this: In the wake of the pandemic, global goods transportation is also still disrupted. In addition, quarantine regulations in Asia, especially China, are repeatedly causing production facilities and ports to fail. This is exacerbating logistics problems and causing transport prices to rise. In addition, many companies are trying to rebuild and expand their inventories of intermediate products due to the continuing uncertainty. This too is exacerbating the shortage of goods and creating supply bottlenecks.

Purchasing maxims are reviewed

As a result of this new experience, many companies are currently rethinking their procurement management. Whereas before Corona quite a few of them operated global sourcing in purchasing according to the maxim "Buy where it's cheapest," factors such as supply security are now increasingly playing an important role in their purchasing decisions in addition to price and product quality. Many companies that have been advocates of just-in-time production and stockpiling are currently considering increasing their inventories again. Others are considering producing more components themselves again and relying more on local suppliers for procurement. In addition, more than a few companies are rethinking their previous strategy of minimizing the number of their suppliers for cost and administrative reasons. Instead, they are considering bringing on board a second and third supplier for important upstream products which they previously procured from one supplier, in order to reduce their dependence on individual suppliers.

Use software - if and as far as possible

For companies considering a change of supplier or wishing to increase their number, this gives rise to the following challenge: they must first obtain an overview of who could be potential suppliers and then evaluate them so that they can make a qualified selection. This process requires a lot of time. This is often a problem, especially for small and medium-sized companies without a large purchasing department. This can often be alleviated with digital supplier auditing processes, in which companies first use an online questionnaire to ask potential suppliers to what extent they meet their supply requirements. Ideally, they can get an initial overview of which suppliers are "hot candidates" within a few hours and use this info for their supplier selection and contract negotiations.

Companies are and remain decision makers

However, such software programs are only a tool to systematize and simplify the pre-selection of suppliers. When the decision is made whether to cooperate with supplier A or B, it is important, especially in the case of strategically relevant primary products and materials, to also get to know the supplier's organization - in order to evaluate its self-statements, because: Paper is patient. In addition, it is important to adequately determine the strategic relevance of the individual products and services in order to arrive at the right evaluation and selection criteria, because the last few months have shown how quickly the lack of such small parts as seals, sensors and clamps can paralyze the entire production. Getting to know the supplier and its organization personally is particularly important when it comes to selecting suppliers and service providers with whom the company and its employees have to work almost daily in the service provision process. Then the "chemistry" must be right, and the extent to which this is the case can only be determined through personal contact.   To the author: Alban Maier is managing partner of the management consultancy Assention AG, Pfäffikon (www.assention.com). This supports manufacturing companies in analyzing, optimizing and redesigning their business processes, among other things.

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/stabile-lieferketten-als-erfolgsfaktor/

When did the industry stop thinking and start just thinking? And why? The irregular verb is regularly used in meetings, workshops and brainstorming sessions and has replaced the legendary "I think ...". Okay, that was also annoying when certain people started every sentence with "I think ...". Because they probably needed that, so that they at least heard from themselves that they were thinking, when no one else noticed. But that's another story.

Thinking about projects is always enough

So now there is only thinking everywhere. But anyone who only begins to think about something instead of giving it serious and sustained thought here and now is either ill-prepared or shirking his responsibility. The first is still forgivable. As fast as everything has to go today, there is no time to do sound research on a topic and to document oneself. The days of appearing well-prepared at meetings or thinking tasks through to completion are over. The ad hoc mentality is rampant everywhere and spreads unnecessary hectic and extra work. Meanwhile, the few who still come well-prepared with solid suggestions are no longer heard in the "let's think about it first" chorus of their team members and superiors. However, the second - evading responsibility - is much worse. Those who only think instead of think can supposedly do nothing wrong. After all, it is only thought of and has no claim to durability. The source of this thought-inflation is the project, Latin "proiectum", literally translated "the one thrown forward or the one thrown in". And yes, everywhere is teeming with projects right now. Hardly anything is thought, planned or developed in the long term in marketing departments and agencies anymore. No wonder in an industry where live streams, stories, now-players and instant messages are booming. Where the life cycle of agencies is usually less than five years, and the years of service of clients in marketing departments less than half that. It's not worth thinking about, just thinking about it. The result is often fast-food trash or special waste instead of a souvenir for the future.

---

* Benno Maggi is co-founder and CEO of Partner & Partner. He has been eavesdropping on the industry for over 30 years, discovering words and terms for us that can either be used for small talk, pomposity, excitement, playing Scrabble, or just because.

The safe handling of chemicals is a major challenge. Companies have to react flexibly to the demands of the market, and the internal situation is subject to constant change: recipes and processes are optimized and rooms are repurposed, chemicals are banned, hazardous substances are replaced, and quantities are adjusted. Existing knowledge is often lost due to personnel changes. In addition, the legal framework is constantly changing and brings with it corresponding consequences for the user companies. Much is in "flux". It is therefore a must to regularly check the proper handling of chemicals in the company and to adapt it to the new conditions with well-founded know-how. In the event of a lack of caution when handling highly flammable, corrosive, toxic, environmentally hazardous or even highly explosive substances, there is a risk of personal injury, property damage or environmental damage with far-reaching consequences also for the companies. A comprehensive legal basis exists for the areas of transport, disposal, handling and storage of chemicals as well as for health protection and occupational safety. Companies are obliged to take safety measures. However, the practical implementation of these legal requirements raises many questions and often challenges both the chemical processing companies, the project managers and the enforcement authorities and insurers. Getting the latest knowledge and expanding your network is the order of the day on May 17, 2022 in Zurich at the event "How to handle chemicals safely." In addition, the conference is recognized as continuing education by important professional organizations. It will be held under the patronage of the SSI Association. The conference is organized by SAVE AG, which specializes in the practical transfer of knowledge between security professionals on the topics of risk management, corporate security, building security, safety and health protection (AS&GS), fire protection, information and infrastructure security, civil protection as well as machine and process safety, incident prevention, natural and environmental hazards, guarding and integral security concepts. Further information and the complete conference program at: https://save.ch/event/chemikaliensicherheit-05-2022/

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/sicheres-handhaben-von-chemikalien/

"Hella Studio's bold creation, great commitment and impressive professionalism tipped the scales in our favor," says Nicolas Hugentobler, overall project manager at Rivella. The agency won the pitch against 4 national competitors and was commissioned to create a product identity for the new Enertea beverage line. (Werbewoche.ch reported).

Branding and packaging design for three starter varieties

In addition to the common Mate, the two rather unknown teas Guayusa and Cascara are bottled in Switzerland. The South American stimulants are extracted in a cold-brew process and combined with Swiss Alpine herbs. Hella Studio lent this activating blend a packaging design that is to embellish retail shelves with immediate effect. Hella Studio was in New York during the implementation and worked in shifts due to the time difference. In conjunction with illustrators and graphic designers from its own network, the agency assisted Rivella. The result is a clearly recognizable product identity that will run stringently through all communication measures. The product launch campaign was implemented by Bold. (Werbewoche.ch reported).

---

Responsible at Rivella: Rahel Burri (Brand Manager); Nicolas Hugentobler (Business Developer and Overall Project Manager). Responsible at Hella Studio: Joëlle Lehmann, Kasper Kobel (overall responsibility and creative direction); Alba de Zanet, Rea Christ, Mathias Zimmermann (graphic design and illustration), Daniel Lerch.

Basel-based energy supplier IWB distributes a magazine to households in its market area four times a year, previously under the title "Energy & Water". The magazine has now been adapted to new corporate design specifications and appears under the title "E hoch 2" to better reflect the company's broader range of services. The E stands for "renewable energy," and the superscript number 2 is intended to show IWB's great potential - in reference to Einstein's famous equation. The magazine concept now focuses more on storytelling and edutainment. Each issue has a main theme, which is given greater weight in the dramaturgy. The layout in the new design follows a sharpening of the journalistic formats with different proportions of text and images to make the content more accessible and optimize reader-friendliness.

---

Responsible at IWB: Katarina Karadzic, Reto Müller (Project Management), Erik Rummer (Head of Corporate Communications), Dietmar Küther (Head of Brand & Sustainability). Responsible at Tatin Design Enterprises: Oliver Mayer, Lukas Gysin (Corporate Redesign). Responsible at Kooi: Claude Beauge, Paul Drzimalla (editorial concept). Responsible at Basel West Corporate Communications: Thomas Aerni, Markus Siegenthaler (design concept).

The event venue's partnership with Sunrise UPC is designed to take event experiences to a new level, according to a joint statement. "We are spoiling guests at the Hallenstadion with new productions and digital offerings. In this way, we surprise our Hallenstadion fans in addition to the concert experience. With Sunrise UPC, we have found the perfect partner and our visitors can look forward to many innovations in the future," Philipp Musshafen, director of AG Hallenstadion, is quoted as saying.

First premium partnership

As Switzerland's largest indoor event location with a capacity of up to 15,500 visitors, the Hallenstadion is a venue for international events of all kinds. Over the past two years, the venue had used the "silence" imposed due to Corona to develop new concepts and prepare the way for new partnerships. With the first Premium Partner, a completely new form of cooperation is to open up for the Hallenstadion. The focus will be on emotions and an innovative overall experience for visitors - before, during and after the event. "By working with the Hallenstadion Zurich, we are taking another important step towards becoming the number 1 in the Swiss entertainment market. Thanks to our many commitments in the sports and entertainment sector, we will be able to offer our customers even more exciting and exclusive events - live and via digital channels," says André Krause, CEO of Sunrise UPC.

Globalwine's brand refresh pursued the goal of strengthening the brand's positioning in the dynamic competitive environment, which is increasingly dominated by online retail. The recently launched website is particularly important in this context, as it not only serves as an important sales channel, but also conveys exciting stories about premium wines and their makers and makes them come alive. Various storytelling elements are intended to inspire customers time and again and thus create specific purchase incentives. Based on various market trends, the potential of different types of buyers as well as their motivation and information behavior when buying wine were analyzed and mapped in customer journeys. For example, information on sustainability in viticulture or recommendations for organic and vegan wines were created because they are attracting growing interest among the target groups and have become relevant purchasing criteria. The online buying experience was enriched with various storytelling elements - these range from stories about winemakers, wineries and regions to wine knowledge and recommendations by oenologist Alain Bramaz. Delivered in a variety of formats, video is playing an increasingly important role, bringing to life topics such as winemaking consulting, tastings, and food pairings, as well as stories about winemakers and wineries, which can be found both on the new website and on a dedicated YouTube Channel find

---

Responsible for GlobalwineGeri Theiler (CEO), Alain Bramaz (Head Oenologist & Viticulture Consultant), Stefan Lieberherr(Graphics & Design), Brigitte Auf der Maur (Digital Marketing). Responsible for Branders: René Allemann (Creative Director & CEO), Marisa Güntlisberger (Director Omnichannel Experience), Philippe Knupp (Strategy Director), Anita Hsieh (Brand Designer), Thomas Hausheer (Creative Brand Technologist), Martin Fähndrich (Video Journalist).

With the KDT600 Steinmeyer Mechatronik offers a large XY scan stage for fast scanning tasks, which can be used to examine biological or medical samples with high precision within a very short time. Even applications with a large number of samples and high-throughput processes require only a few loading cycles. Up to 12 well plates can be placed above the exceptionally large transmitted light of 400 mm with a travel distance of 350 mm. Transillumination of samples from below ensures perfect screening of bioreactions.

Scan table with fast positioning system

By using polished cross roller guides as well as ground stage plates, a repeatability of ±0.15 µm in straightness and flatness is achieved. Thanks to this high precision, only minor refocusing is required even for optics with a very short focus length. The ironless linear motor guarantees a sensitive drive without any disturbing influence on the process parameters. At the same time, the linear motor ensures high dynamics. Accelerations up to 3 m/s² and top speeds of 500 mm/s guarantee short scan times, extremely fast scan results are also achieved in start-stop mode. For equal acceleration values in X and Y, dual motors can optionally be used in the lower axis. The internal feedback system with 0.1-µm resolution and therefore possible positioning steps of 0.3 µm also allows the use of optics with the highest resolutions when using micro-wells.

Air bearing table replacement

The KDT600 is designed for maximum repeatability and achieves accuracies through compensation that were previously reserved exclusively for air bearing systems. However, it is significantly more cost-effective with comparable performance. This is particularly beneficial for applications in the life science and biotech sectors, as well as for active ingredient screening in the pharmaceutical industry. Clean room requirements are met, and a nickel coating is optionally available for surfaces that can be disinfected. When servicing is required, the table can be easily separated from the housed cable guide. This shortens maintenance and facilitates integration. Source: Steinmeyer Mechatronics. Steinmeyer Mechatronik is part of the globally active Steinmeyer Group. As a competence center for positioning solutions, mechatronic systems and optical components, the Dresden-based GmbH offers innovative products and customer-specific solutions for individual tasks. 

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/dynamischer-scantisch-mit-grossem-durchlicht/

This year Sanitas Troesch celebrates its 111th anniversary. Together with the agency Festland, which Sanitas Troesch also accompanied in brand strategy and brand appearancethe decision was made to focus on high-quality content. The result is a magazine that presents the world of Sanitas Troesch in a contemporary way.

Relaunch with redesign

For the anniversary edition, the magazine "Bad. Kitchen. Living. was completely redesigned by Festland, both visually and in terms of content. The challenge was that the publication should appeal to and entertain both private individuals and professionals. "Our readership includes sanitary planners and installers as well as investors and architects, and of course our customers and employees," explains Marco Serratore, Head of Marketing & Communications at Sanitas Troesch. The main content is various trend stories on the future of bathrooms and kitchens. Iria Degen and Stephan Hürlemann talk about Swiss Design between tradition and innovation. Simone Achermann and Stephan Sigrist from the think tank W.I.R.E. get to the bottom of developments that will shape our lives and homes of tomorrow. And Johan Olzon-Åkerström, co-founder of the design collective Soeder, talks about the essence of sustainability. Other illustrious voices include Marianne Kohler Nizamuddin, author of the interior blog "Sweet Home," Urs Heller, Editor-in-Chief of GaultMillau Switzerland, and Reto Largo, Managing Director of the Nest Innovation Center in conversation with Patrick Maier, CEO of Sanitas Troesch and Saint-Gobain Switzerland.

Swiss tap water may be of impeccable quality, inexpensive and healthy - but in the long run it's also a bit boring. With "Eau&Moi," Rivella wants to transform the lackluster tap water into a fruity refreshing drink with natural ingredients. For this purpose, pureed fruits, herbs and spices are packed into small pouches that can be added to the tap water as a natural flavor additive. Rosarot designed the car launch for the Rivella brand. For this, the brand values, differentiation and relevance of the product innovation were defined in advance in a brand workshop with the client. The result is a website with newly developed usability and a newly defined user interface. With animations and designs inspired by water and fruit, a visit to the website should become a small shopping experience. The website features smart mechanisms such as a subscription configurator that calculates how much of the recommended daily water intake can be flavored, and an intelligent shopping cart optimized for cross-selling. The holistic storytelling rounds off the website.

---

Responsible at Eau&Moi: Ciydem Buchheit (Head of New Business), Floriane Schmid (Junior Manager New Business). Responsible at Rosarot: René Karrer (Creative Direction), Andreas Steiner (Director Content), Labinot Gashi (Director Digital), Isabelle Niemann (Project Management Digital Marketing), Florian Fleischmann (Art Direction), Marcela Narvaez, Stefanie Steimer (Graphic Design).

The Corona pandemic has had a lasting impact on both the purchasing and nutrition of Swiss consumers. This is the result of a study by the shopping app Bring! on shopping planning and consumption behavior in Switzerland. The study was based on a survey of around 1,000 Bring! users. According to the study, many consumers have changed their shopping plans, the products they buy and their shopping priorities, as well as their eating habits.

More planning, more regionality, more organic

For example, the pandemic had a significant impact on how weekly shopping is planned: 35 percent of respondents said they plan their shopping more intensively than before Corona. 30 percent create more shopping lists, 21 percent now plan in great detail and 17 percent use more time to plan their shopping than before. This is also reflected in the shopping itself: only for 24 percent has nothing changed, while 22 percent now go to the supermarket less often and 18 percent buy more in stock. However, there are not only significant shifts in the how, but also in the what: A good one in eight (13 percent) buys different products than before. When asked what consumers pay particular attention to when selecting products, origin is the most important criterion: For 79 percent, it is a key criterion - and thus much more important than price (47 percent). Production is also important, for example whether the food is organic (47 percent), as are the ingredients (46 percent). Shelf life is also very important for the purchase decision (52 percent).

Swiss: eat healthier and more consciously since the start of the pandemic

This is also reflected in eating habits: Swiss consumers are eating more consciously and sustainably than before the pandemic. Almost half of those surveyed (47 percent) said they were eating healthier than before, 43 percent were eating less meat or none at all, and eight percent were eating more vegan. In contrast, only one in three (33 percent) had no change in their diet, and just two percent were eating less healthily than before - a clear contradiction to the assumption that many had survived the pandemic mainly on snacks and sweets. The consumers surveyed want to continue the trend toward sustainable purchasing and healthier eating. For 2022, they intend to buy more regionally (58 percent) and less wastefully (52 percent) and to buy less meat (27 percent). But they also want to go easy on their wallets and spend less when shopping (33 percent).

Consumers:inside: Trend toward greater sustainability will continue

Most consumers see the changes as a lasting development: When asked which trends will influence their purchasing behavior in the long term, more than four out of five respondents (83 percent) named regionality, followed by seasonality (77 percent), sustainability (61 percent) and organic products (47 percent). Purchasing vegetarian and vegan foods will also become increasingly important for respondents in the future (24 percent). "The results of our analysis clearly show that people in Switzerland are shopping more consciously than before the pandemic," says Nadine Müller, Head of Sales Switzerland at Bring! "The Corona pandemic has led to people shopping less frequently, but in a more planned way, also in order to spend as little time as possible in the supermarket. One result of this - and our study clearly proves this - is that consumers are thinking more carefully about what ends up in their shopping carts and thus also on their plates. This trend will continue, and with it the increased role of purchase planning."

---

The entire study is available for download here available. About the company: Bring! offers branded goods and retail companies the opportunity to reach consumers at the time when it really matters: during the planning and execution of the purchase. The advertising formats offered include sponsored products (the advertised products are natively integrated into the shopping list with the look and feel of the Bring! app), personalized local retailer offers, recipe recommendations in the inspiration section, and many more. 

In addition to its image, Groupe Mutuel is refining its strategy to focus on the two biggest concerns of the Swiss population: health and pensions. With 1.3 million individual customers and 27,000 corporate customers, this strategy is geared to both the personal and corporate insurance markets.

A new brand image after 27 years

The red and white logo represented Groupe Mutuel since 1995, but as of today, amber and navy blue, united in a simple logo, are the company's new colors. In addition to the logo, all other elements that are part of Groupe Mutuel's brand identity are also being modernized, from the style of the photos to the graphic charter. This important change in image is driven by new values introduced two years ago, as well as a new strategic direction for the company. The new brand identity focuses on more proximity, especially through a new communication campaign that will be released from March 28. It tells the "real" life in a natural and emotional way, close to people.

Two prominent ambassadors

As part of the launch of its new brand identity, Groupe Mutuel is teaming up with two talented ambassadors. Belinda Bencic, recent Olympic tennis champion, and Ajla Del Ponte, European athletics champion, will work with Groupe Mutuel over the next three years. For many years, Groupe Mutuel has supported sports, especially running, for example as a partner of around 15 popular races in Switzerland. After all, sport and prevention are enormously important for health. "With Belinda Bencic and Ajla Del Ponte, we can count on two great personalities who embody the benefits of sport and carry the new colors of Groupe Mutuel to the outside world," says a delighted Thomas Boyer, CEO of Groupe Mutuel.

---

With more than 2,700 employees throughout Switzerland, Groupe Mutuel serves 1.3 million individual customers and 27,000 companies. Groupe Mutuel ranks fifth nationally in corporate health insurance.