Export Award 2018: These are the three finalists

The candidates have been determined. The independent Jury of business, science and media representatives has announced who is in the running for the 2018 Export Award:

• Industrielack AG, Wangen SZ: ILAG leaves no stone unturned
• Acutronic Medical Systems, Hirzel ZH: Strong presence in a small niche market
• On, Zurich: The running community is enthusiastic

The winner will be chosen at the Foreign Trade and Investment Forum on April 26 in Zurich. The awards will be presented by Ruth Metzler-Arnold, Chairman of the Board of Directors of S-GE.

Swiss Made all over the world

The finalists are holding their own all over the world, despite the fact that more than 750 new protectionist measures have been enacted every year since 2009, as the Global Trade Alert by Professor Simon Evenett of the University of St. Gallen shows. High barriers to entry are particularly prevalent in the medical technology sector - making the export performance of Acutronic Medical Systems, which manufactures high-precision ventilators for premature babies, all the more outstanding. The company has already established itself in Western Europe and the Middle East and is beginning to put out feelers in China. But On's running shoes and ILAG's cookware coating also have to meet high standards around the world, which the companies have managed highly successfully.

The finalists for the Export Award 2018

lLAG leaves no stone unturned: When it comes to coating cookware and baking pans, ILAG is big business. The export-oriented SME scores with quality and an innovative business model: Consistent relationship management with all participants in the value chain and image-enhancing co-branding ensure that the company is growing - and generated sales of 34 million Swiss francs in 2017. In the most important markets, ILAG is on the road with sales agents, while the US market is handled from its own office in Chicago. ILAG is still mainly successful in the consumer goods industry, but in the future it will increasingly focus on applications in industry. www.ilag.ch

Strong presence in small niche: High-tech equipment for tiny customers: With its product range, Acutronic Medical Systems covers the entire spectrum of neonatal artificial respiration. The universally designed, easy-to-use high-tech devices are used in operating theaters, intensive care units, and county halls in many European countries, the Middle East, and China. In this way, products from Hirzel ensure that many premature babies survive without permanent damage. And also that the Swiss medtech company thrives. www.acutronic-medical.ch

The running community is enthusiastic: Push off hard, land softly, and run with a feather-light stride without any discomfort - around three million runners worldwide rely on shoes from On. Founded in 2010 by three Swiss sports enthusiasts, the label has taken the global running scene by storm with its revolutionary CloudTec sole. Thanks to its consistent focus on the premium segment worldwide and a clever marketing strategy, On is the fastest-growing brand in the running shoe market and is present in 4,000 stores in 50 countries. www.on-running.com

Growing internationally between globalization and protectionism

Switzerland Global Enterprise's Foreign Trade Forum is the meeting place of the year for all Swiss exporters. Small and medium-sized companies in particular find inspiration and practical advice for their international business here, according to the organizer. For SMEs, on the one hand, it has never been so necessary and potentially profitable to do business on a broad international scale. On the other hand, it is becoming increasingly complex to deal with the multitude of markets and the specific trade barriers. During the generous breaks and at the Apéro Riche, there will be room for exchange with over 600 participants and numerous exporters who are facing similar challenges or have already successfully mastered some of them.

Registration and program at www.s-ge.com/awf