Pemat wins the 2026 Rhine Valley Economy Prize

Pemat is one of the first companies you see when you drive from Altstätten to Oberriet. What visibly begins there at the entrance to the town has an impact far beyond the region. For around 30 years, the company and its 20 employees have been developing high-precision solutions in bending and rolling technology and have made an excellent name for themselves in demanding niches. Little known in Switzerland, they are in high demand on the global market: customers include Porsche and Louis Vuitton.

Free-form bending as a core competence

The heart of Pemat is free-form bending. This allows metal tubes and profiles to be formed three-dimensionally, freely and with absolute precision. Each part is unique, with length, radius and shape precisely tailored to the project in question. Where others reach their technical limits, Pemat's strength begins. Its solutions are used where maximum precision is required and standard processes are not sufficient. In a street lighting project in Dubai, no other supplier was able to offer the solutions that Pemat created.

Great joy at Pemat about the award

Company owner Peter Mattle was visibly moved when the award was announced in secret a few months ago. His joy at receiving the award, which was presented to him by jury president Klaus Brammertz in the presence of conference moderator Sonja Hasler, was also very clear to see on Friday. He stood on stage together with his wife Romana and his long-time companion Roger Schläpfer. He also expressly thanked his wife, who had so often had to go on vacation without him, and said it was admirable that she was still by his side.

He also thanked his teams and all employees. His recipe for success? «Visions should not only be dreamt, but also executed.» In concrete terms, this means, for example, not waiting for customers to come up with ideas and questions, but finding new solutions in advance. He also always has a plan B. Roger Schläpfer confirms: «Peter Mattle always finds a solution!»

Klaus Brammertz emphasized that Pemat absolutely deserved the award. It is a typically modest SME in the Rhine Valley that is virtually better known in the world than in its own region. Mattle returned the favor: «We are delighted to have been chosen as a small SME. That's something wonderful!» This joy was palpable: After the award ceremony on stage, at the edge of the hall, Peter Mattle and Roger Schläpfer hugged each other.

Developed and manufactured in the Rhine Valley

Pemat realizes complex projects for customers all over the world. These include large-format ceiling and façade constructions, bench and interior design elements, special solutions for industrial plants and sophisticated constructions for trade fair, event and cultural construction. These solutions are developed and manufactured in the Rhine Valley and assembled at international locations.

The company is an example of industrial value creation with depth. Pemat creates qualified jobs, trains skilled workers and keeps specialized know-how in the region. At the same time, its projects strengthen the international perception of the Rhine Valley and Switzerland as a business location.

A broad-based jury decided

The Rhine Valley Business Award is presented annually as part of the Rhine Valley Business Forum. It is awarded to companies that make a special contribution through entrepreneurial performance, innovative strength and regional responsibility. The special character of the forum also includes the artistically designed sculpture for the Rhine Valley Economy Prize, created by Karin Thür. The decision in favor of the Pemat was made by a broad-based jury. Klaus Brammertz from AGV Rheintal is the chairman. Also represented are the St. Gallen Rhine Valley Association, one representative from each of the five main sponsors of the Rhine Valley Economic Forum as well as Galledia Event and Galledia Regionalmedien («Rheintaler» and «Rheintalische Volkszeitung»).