Wild & Küpfer wins Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2022

In front of around 900 guests, the Prix SVC Ostschweiz was awarded on March 10, 2022 in St.Gallen. It was an anniversary, because the award ceremony took place for the tenth time. OC President Christoph Zeller could see the joy and relaxation, the event could be held largely without pandemic-related restrictions. "It was not easy to always have a plan B or plan C ready," said Zeller in his opening speech.

Multi-stage jury process

The six finalists presented at the event - Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG, Ifolor AG, Högg Group, La Conditoria, Mosmatic AG and Wild & Küpfer AG - were previously selected from a longlist of initially over 200 companies in a multi-stage jury process. The 13-member jury of experts visited the candidates during a jury tour in order to form a differentiated picture of them on site. The winner was then selected from all the nominees according to clearly defined criteria. Overall, the six companies conveyed a multifaceted impression of the economic region of eastern Switzerland, which stretches from Lake Constance to Graubünden.

Wild & Küpfer: It all started in a pigsty...

Wild & Küpfer AG, represented by CEO Tobias Wild, was the final winner. "The management is as competent and qualified as the plastics experts," said jury president Andrea Fanzun in his laudation, praising the successful concept of Wild & Küpfer AG. The technology market leader in plastic injection molding in Switzerland and Europe is a second-generation family-run SME with around 200 employees. Despite all its internationality, the company has not forgotten its roots in eastern Switzerland, as the jury president notes: "Despite its international orientation, the company, whose history began in a pigsty, is also strongly anchored locally. Values are not just part of the image brochure here, they are exemplified."

From the "rearmost crash" into the wide world

Second place went to Mosmatic AG from Necker, which won over the jury with its convincing growth strategy, clear commitment to the innovation and production location in Switzerland and an outstanding training program. Its status as the undisputed number one for swivels - 97 percent of its products are exported - has been hard-earned: You are guaranteed to always find a part from Mosmatic at every carwash worldwide. Third place went to the traditional company Appenzeller Alpenbitter AG, whose success story has continued for over 120 years and is still in family hands. And the recipe for the herbal schnapps, which was also prescribed as medicine in earlier times, remains a secret to this day.

The diploma ranks of the Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2022

The other winners of the Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2022 were the Högg Group from Lichtensteig (manufacturer of lift systems), Ifolor AG from Kreuzlingen (market leader in personalized photo products) and La Conditoria Sedrun-Switzerland (manufacturer of what are probably the world's smallest Bündner nut cakes). All companies received valuable prizes donated by the main sponsors. What will also remain is the lasting effect of this business award, as Thomas Köberl, who won the first Prix SVC Ostschweiz with Abacus in 2004, also mentioned. And Andreas Wälti, winner of the Prix SVC Ostschweiz 2020, also emphasized that SMEs, which are otherwise not so much in the public eye, can noticeably increase their level of awareness in this way. The date of the next award ceremony has also already been set: It will take place on Wednesday, March 7, 2024.

More information: Swiss Venture Club