From watches to medical technology

An exciting mix of internationally significant industry clusters form the backbone of Switzerland's economy - networksof producers, suppliers, research institutes and service providers. These are closely interwoven through links between purchasers and suppliers or shared technologies and skills, facilitated by an excellent environment for research and technology, an efficient registration and certification system and well-educated, technically skilled and often multilingual employees. Whilst the large companies' brands are mostly well-known, they often rely on local small and middle-sized companies to fulfill important supply function for special niche products. This is a quick overview:
Automotive: Switzerland has a network of highly specialized suppliers of components for a variety of applications, namely in the fields of precision and micro-mechanics, materials and plastics technology as well as from the textile industry.
Building technology: Siemens Building Technology's international headquarters in Zug takes advantage of the regional building technology cluster. For instance, fire alarm systems or energy efficiency installations are being developed in the Lake Zug area. This cluster in central Switzerland greatly facilitates the acquisition of expertise and promotes competitiveness.
Cleantech: Switzerland has become a world leader in the development of environmentally friendly technology and systems for efficient energy use, playing a leading role in the reduction of CO2 emissions and recycling in particular.
Information technology: As a business location, Switzerland is an important hub for the IT and communications sector. You will find Google's largest engineering office in Europe as well as Dacuda, a 25 people business that produces and exports a scanner mouse which is used in 150 countries.
Life sciences, chemicals and pharmaceuticals: The density of biotech companies in Switzerland is unique in the world. The companies in this field range from large multinational corporations such as Novartis and Roche to innovative start-ups, with the latter in particular flourishing because of the presence of the two federal institutes of technology in Zurich and Lausanne.
Luxury watch industry: In recent years, Swiss watch manufacturershave succeeded in boosting their leading position in the global market to more than two percent of the market in the upper price segment.
Machinery, electronics and metals industries: With companies such as ABB, Bühler, Georg Fischer and Schindler, Switzerland is one of the best workplaces in the world in almost all sectors including also companies like Ganser CRS. With its 10 employees it is a pioneer in the field of common-rail injection technology for diesel engines and delivers systems for diesel locomotives of the Indian State Railways.
Medical technology: In Switzerland, investment in research and the growth rates of med tech companies are above average. Along with well-known companies such as Synthes and Sonovathe country is also home to smaller businesses like Maxon medical global, manufacturer ofdrive systems, gearheads and encoders for medical technology.
Commodities trading: Historically, Switzerland was a major transportation hub where several European trading routes met. Today it is one of the most important transhipment points for commodities. Geneva has become an important platform for crude oil and grain trading. Zug, where the two major companies Xstrata and Glencore are located, has established itself as a global trading center for mining products.
The article is contributed by Switzerland Global Enterprise