Thermoplan AG wins the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2016
The winner of the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2016 is Thermoplan AG from Weggis, leading manufacturer of innovative, fully automatic coffee machines and special equipment. The real estate service provider Alfred Müller AG from Baar (ZG) and Frank Türen AG from Buochs (NW), manufacturer of all types of security doors, follow in second and third place. Other prize winners of the evening are bio-familia AG from Sachseln (OW), the MÜLLER STEINAG Group from Rickenbach (LU) and Network 41 AG from Sursee (LU). These six award winners were selected by a regional jury of experts in a multi-stage selection process from 90 Central Swiss companies for this gala evening of entrepreneurial excellence.
Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2016: Impressions (all pictures: thb)
Coffee with perfect milk foam is the core competence of Thermoplan AG, whose success story once began with foam whippers. Today, Thermoplan is one of the global market leaders in the segment of fully automatic coffee machines and special equipment. These are used in catering establishments and well-known coffee houses on all continents. At its headquarters in Weggis, 260 employees work on new and further development of products in order to offer customers the perfect coffee experience. The Weggis showcase company is led by CEO Adrian Steiner and more than convinced the 11-member jury of experts of the Prix SVC Zentralschweiz. In his laudatory speech, jury president Niklaus Bleiker emphasized: "The jury is very impressed that Thermoplan continues to rely on Switzerland as a high-price location for both research and production. This is more than admirable for a company with an export share of around 98%." And he continues, "One of the main reasons for the great success of the family-owned company is its great innovative strength, in addition to the Swiss quality it lives by." And Adrian Steiner himself dedicates the prize to all the employees of his company: "The prize belongs to all of us!"
Second and third place for Alfred Müller AG and Frank Türen AG
Second place goes to Alfred Müller AG, a real estate company that covers all services along the real estate life cycle. "The jury is impressed by the way Alfred Müller AG has successfully faced up to a very fluctuating market environment for more than 50 years with great economic success," emphasized jury president Niklaus Bleiker in his laudatory speech. The sustainability with which the Baar-based company looks after its customers is exemplary, as is its social commitment to environmental protection and development aid. "The award is a great honor for us and our employees," says David Hossli, Chairman of the Management Board, pointing out that competition in the real estate business has become tougher.
Craft, high-tech and the diversity of a material
Frank Türen AG was awarded third place. Founded in 1897 as a carpenter's workshop, the company, now run by the fourth generation, is a supplier of special doors such as fire protection and security doors. The variety knows hardly any limits: The latest products allow access with a palm vein reader that replaces the key. This shows that the carpentry trade is undergoing major changes and that high-tech is increasingly finding its way in, as Managing Director Marcel Frank explained during the presentation round in conversation with moderator Nik Hartmann.
Other winners of the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2016 are the Obwalden-based muesli producer bio-familia AG, the Müller-Steinag Group, which specializes in concrete products, and the telecommunications network provider Network 41 AG. These three companies are also characterized by a leading position in their specialties and have economic appeal far beyond Central Switzerland. With the products of bio-familia AG, the term "Müesli" became known worldwide. However, Managing Director Peter Odermatt continues to focus on regional roots and has so far turned down all takeover offers: "We have a great responsibility for the region". Müller-Steinag's products are becoming increasingly popular with architects: the company has managed to give the material concrete a great creative variety that goes far beyond sewer pipes. And Network 41 AG is now not only active in the catchment area of Central Switzerland, but also has branches in Germany and Austria.
Meeting place for the Central Swiss economy
This is the sixth time that the Swiss Venture Club (SVC) has awarded the Prix SVC Central Switzerland to exemplary small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region that impress with their products and innovations, their corporate culture, the quality of their employees and management, and their sustainable track record. The award ceremony was hosted by Nik Hartmann. Around 1,200 guests from business, politics and society were impressed by the diverse and often little-known strengths of Central Switzerland's top companies. "People are the most important thing" emphasized SVC President Hans-Ulrich Müller with regard to what ultimately constitutes entrepreneurial success.
