Swiss Manufacturing Firms Innovate and Thrive
(University of St.Gallen, July 20, 2017)
The 2017 Swiss Manufacturing Survey study examines the competitiveness, innovative capacity, opportunities and challenges of Swiss manufacturing companies. Researchers at the University of St. Gallen’s Institute of Technology Management (ITEM-HSG), with the help of Raiffeisen and Swissmem, evaluated data on 247 firms from 14 industries ranging from machine-building to textiles. About 80 percent of the firms interviewed were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); 44 percent operate internationally. The report reflects the latest trends, opportunities and obstacles faced by Switzerland’s manufacturing companies. Despite the unfavorable exchange rate and high labor costs, the Swiss production landscape has good prospects thanks to its sound economic basis. Moreover, products from Switzerland are still considered superior to their foreign competitors’ in terms of quality, reliable delivery and innovation.