Winner of the first Prix SVC Aargau Solothurn: Villiger Entsorgungssysteme
Villiger Entsorgungssysteme AG from Oberrüti (AG) is the winner of the first edition of the Prix SVC Aargau Solothurn. With its high-performance system solutions, the winning company is actively shaping the future of waste disposal and recycling.
The Prix SVC Aargau Solothurn celebrated its premiere on April 30 at the Emil Frey Classic Center in Safenwil. Around 550 guests from business, politics, society and the media were given an insight into the diverse entrepreneurship of this region. This was reflected in the five finalists, who came from a wide variety of sectors. Robin Wasser, OC President of the Prix SVC Aargau Solothurn, emphasized: «Our SMEs in Aargau and Solothurn impressively demonstrate how tradition and future interact. The Prix SVC offers them the space for dialog and networking and the opportunity to present themselves to a broad public. This is particularly valuable in such a diverse economic landscape.» Sabine Keller-Busse, Head of Switzerland at UBS, presenting partner and main sponsor of the SVC Entrepreneur Awards, emphasized in her welcoming address that this diversity - as a result of Switzerland's business friendliness - must be taken care of. All the more so as the general conditions are challenging for many companies due to the current geopolitical uncertainties.
Close decision within the jury
The five finalists bonacasa AG from Oensingen (SO), Constri AG from Schinznach-Dorf (AG), Fehlmann AG from Seon (AG), Pallas Kliniken AG from Olten (SO) and Villiger Entsorgungssysteme from Oberrüti (AG) were selected by a broad-based jury in a multi-stage process. After visiting all the finalists, the jury then made its decision in a closed meeting. This was very close, as jury president and entrepreneur Rea Erne admitted in an interview with presenter Nicole Frank. «There were some heated discussions at times,» she reported.
Everything for a clean public space
All finalists received valuable prizes donated by the main sponsors. In the end, the main prize went to Villiger Entsorgungssysteme AG. The company develops and produces modern solutions for waste disposal, recycling and logistics in Switzerland. The company combines a high level of vertical integration with sound engineering expertise and a clear focus on sustainability to create efficient and future-oriented systems for industry, commerce and the public sector. With around 240 employees at its headquarters and in partner companies, Villiger combines technological innovation with a pronounced awareness of quality. As a result, the company has established itself as a reliable and valued partner for local authorities and waste disposal companies - both in Switzerland and beyond European borders. Rea Erne honoured the winner in her laudatory speech: «Our society is consuming more and more, and with it the need to organize complex waste disposal and logistics systems reliably in the background is growing. Villiger has developed from an agricultural machinery workshop into a central system provider whose solutions now make a significant contribution to efficient container logistics. The company works quietly, networked and precisely, making it a classic hidden champion that has a lasting impact on the quality of life in our communities.»
«Smart living» into old age
All other finalists were also recognized, including bonacasa AG. The company is a leading provider of smart living solutions for comfortable and secure living in Switzerland. The company combines digital technologies with personal services to enable people to live independently within their own four walls. With offerings ranging from emergency call systems to concierge services, bonacasa sets standards in networked living. The focus is on user-friendliness, quality and innovation. In collaboration with real estate developers and public institutions, bonacasa is actively shaping sustainable living spaces. Due to demographic change, the demand for bonacasa's services is likely to increase further, as founder and CEO Ivo Bracher explained.
Successful in niches with diversification
Constri AG is a traditional Swiss trading and production company. As the only manufacturer of table bombs in Europe, Constri produces its traditional product in Swiss quality at its headquarters. The company also offers plastic parts, toys and construction aids for concrete construction. With the ProSpiel brand, Constri focuses on sustainability, tested quality and educational added value and is widely established in schools and kindergartens. The family-run company is characterized by customer proximity and innovative strength. «We consciously use diversification as our strength,» says CEO Eva Hilf.
Precision for small series production
The industrial company Fehlmann AG develops and produces high-quality precision machine tools for milling and drilling applications. Development, production and assembly are carried out exclusively at the company's headquarters, which guarantees maximum precision and reliability. The company offers a broad spectrum - from manual milling and drilling machines to automated CNC machining centers - and thus covers a wide range of industrial requirements. Fehlmann's machines are particularly suited to the production of small batches. Around 210 employees, sustainable ISO-certified processes and comprehensive service make Fehlmann a reliable partner for industry. Fehlmann AG is also a strong training company: 10 percent of its employees are apprentices.
Family-run private clinic
Pallas Kliniken AG is a leading Swiss clinic and healthcare company specializing in ophthalmology, dermatology and aesthetic medicine. As a family-run clinic group, it has been successful on the market for over 30 years and operates more than 17 locations in German-speaking Switzerland. With around 400 employees and over 120 doctors and specialists, Pallas treats more than 120,000 patients every year - from simple consultations to complex procedures. Innovation, the highest quality of treatment and patient-oriented care are at the heart of its services. Pallas Kliniken AG is also one of the few private clinics in Switzerland to be family-owned. This is to remain the case for the time being, says CEO and owner Georgos Pallas, referring to the trend towards more and more private hospitals being owned by investor groups.
Business rendezvous
The presentation of entrepreneur awards has been a central element of the Swiss Venture Club SVC for 25 years. In ten regions now, successful companies are brought into the public eye. As an independent, non-profit organization, the SVC promotes SMEs as the driving force of the Swiss economy. It is supported by Presenting Partner UBS and Gold Partners Emil Frey, Forvis Mazars, IWB, Mobiliar and Swisscom, as well as numerous other sponsors.
