Location promotion Winterthur region registers upward trend

The Standortförderung Region Winterthur can report record figures in three respects. First: With a total of 407, never before have so many companies participated in the semi-annual survey and taken the opportunity to communicate. With 1507 companies sent out, this corresponds to an incredible response rate of 27 percent. Previous surveys achieved significantly lower response rates (less than 300 in each case).

Secondly, optimism among businesses is back and has even slightly exceeded the 2014 level. Whereas there had been a massive slump in 2015 due to the uncertainty caused by the removal of the minimum euro exchange rate, companies now appear to have fully recovered from the franc shock. 45.3 percent expect higher sales than in the previous year (39 %). 32.6 percent are planning investments (previous year 27 %), and 19.8 percent an increase in personnel in the coming six months (previous year 18 %).

Satisfied with general conditions  

A total of 85.75 percent are basically satisfied with the current conditions in Winterthur. However, they criticize the traffic situation in the city and the shortage of skilled workers, among other things. Half of the respondents consider the tax burden at the Winterthur location to be high.

Record number of new companies  

Last but not least: The city of Winterthur registered a record number of new companies in 2016, namely 578. So much entrepreneurial spirit and the returned optimism promise a prosperous future for the Winterthur region. The Standortförderung Region Winterthur conducts a survey of local companies every six months in order to feel the pulse with regard to the sales and order situation, staffing levels and willingness to invest.

Further results of the survey can be found in the enclosed PDF under this Link (with graphic) and this Link (details).