2026 will push Swiss companies to their limits

Swiss companies will face numerous challenges in 2026: members of the baby boomer generation born up to 1964 will retire next year, leaving noticeable gaps in key positions. At the same time, the strong Swiss franc is weighing on export companies. They often have to decide whether to raise prices abroad, with the risk of losing market share, or to settle for lower margins. Added to this are the consequences of US punitive tariffs, which not only make Swiss exports to the United States more expensive, but also complicate operational processes. Patrick Sommer, Managing Director at CNT Management Consulting, knows from his own experience what Swiss companies are currently struggling with: «The tariffs are triggering a bureaucratic nightmare – companies have to provide complete proof of where every single screw comes from,» he explains. «The additional costs must either be offset by price increases or absorbed by sacrificing margins. At the same time, there is politically motivated pressure to examine whether relocating production to the US is more economically attractive in the long term than remaining in Switzerland.» He sees many companies performing a difficult balancing act: «On the one hand, companies must plan their human resources carefully and take into account the impending wave of retirements and export problems; on the other hand, they must not lose touch with technology. This means integrating digital solutions into existing systems, investing in AI, and providing targeted training for employees.»

Bureaucracy limits scope for action – especially for SMEs

Political decisions such as the recent US punitive tariffs are increasing uncertainty for Swiss companies: they make long-term planning more difficult, force ongoing cost adjustments, and thus pose a business risk. Despite increasing pressure to modernize, many companies lack the funds for urgently needed digitization and automation projects. «Although most companies realize that digital innovation would strengthen their competitiveness, high labor costs, extensive sustainability investments, and the tense economic situation often stand in the way of such projects,» says the expert from CNT Management Consulting. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are facing additional burdens. Increasing ESG and sustainability requirements demand data from them that large corporations now take for granted – including the carbon footprints of products, proofs of origin, and information on supply chain compliance. «Many SMEs do not have this information or have to compile it manually, which is time-consuming. This ties up staff, who are already in short supply, and costs valuable time in day-to-day business,» says Sommer.

AI is «no gimmick»: Why it must provide real relief today

In light of rising costs, scarce human resources, and growing reporting requirements, digitization will become a greater focus in 2026. For many companies, the main concern is how to achieve greater output with fewer staff. In this context, AI has become a key prerequisite for business success. However, Sommer urges a targeted approach: «AI is not a gimmick, but a tool that provides measurable relief in times of skilled labor shortages.» It is therefore crucial to create concrete applications. Process mining—for example, with SAP Signavio—makes bottlenecks visible, while integrated digital processes reduce waiting times and sources of error. This requires streamlined processes and reliable data, because a poor process remains poor even when automated.

Three relevant consulting industry trends in the new year

CNT expert Sommer identifies three key trends in his own field of consulting, which focuses on digital transformation in companies. First, AI implementation must focus on «hard ROI»: «What is needed is not abstract strategies, but the measurable, operational implementation of AI that promises a clear, short-term return on investment,» says Sommer. Second, consulting firms that do not rely on AI risk quickly losing their competitive edge. And third, Sommer believes that S/4HANA Cloud must make the transition to a business case: «The ongoing SAP transformations must prove that they actually streamline processes and do not just modernize IT,» concludes Sommer.

Source and further information: CNT Management Consulting

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/2026-bringt-schweizer-unternehmen-an-die-belastungsgrenze/