The Häring Group wins the Prix SVC Northern Switzerland 2019

They have become a tradition in seven economic regions of Switzerland: the awarding of the Prix SVC by the Swiss Venture Club (SVC). This independent association of companies for entrepreneurs has set itself the goal of supporting the Swiss economy as a driving force. Every two years in the seven economic regions of Espace Mittelland, Central Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland, Zurich, Ticino, French-speaking Switzerland and most recently on November 28, 2019 in the region of Northern Switzerland, SMEs are honored that stand out for their special economic achievements. The traditionally festive and exciting event, which was hosted by Nubya and Dani von Wattenwyl, was attended by around 1,200 guests from politics, business and culture. They made the award ceremony an important meeting point for the business community in northern Switzerland.

Close decision at the Prix SVC Nordschweiz 2019

The winner of the 9th Prix SVC Nordschweiz was the timber construction general contractor Häring-Gruppe, based in Eiken, Aargau. The online retailer Brack.ch was ranked second and the IT company BSI Business Integration Systems AG third. The diploma rank is shared by Burckhardt + Partner AG (architecture), Solvias AG (pharmaceutical contract research) and Zaugg Maschinenbau AG. These six award winners were first put through their paces by the jury in a multi-stage selection process from over 100 companies. In an interview with moderator Dani von Wattenwyl, jury president Willy Gläser revealed that the final selection was a close-run thing this time. Each finalist was ranked first at least once by individual jury members; this has never happened before in this form.

Wood - the most modern building material

Christoph Häring, owner and CEO of the Häring Group, and Marc Isler, CEO of Brack.ch AG, took the stage at the end. Both were outwardly calm, but a certain tension was evident. "I can assess the situation," Christoph Häring quipped in response to Dani von Wattenwyl's question about how he felt. He said he was preparing for second place. The surprise was all the greater when SVC President Andreas Gerber read out the Häring Group as the winner... In the subsequent laudation, SVC Northern Switzerland Regional Director and jury member Bernhard B. Fischer emphasized: "The prize is also an award to Christoph Häring for his life's work. By living entrepreneurship, he has always led the Häring Group successfully - even through difficult times." Founded in 1879, the family business is now run by the fifth generation and employs 130 people. Häring develops and produces new products, processes and business models using wood as a sustainable building material. From single-family homes to high-rise buildings, from bridges to industrial buildings - both nationally and internationally. Well-known buildings include Europe's largest wooden dome for the Rhine saltworks, the "wave" at Bern's main train station, and a Buddhist temple complex in China. With the latest business idea "Attico", a possibility to equip flat-roof houses with additional floors in lightweight wood construction, the company also contributes to the trend of dense building.

Brack.ch and BSI Business Systems Integration on the podiums

Due to its nationwide fame, some in the audience had probably bet on Brack.ch AG as the winner. For Switzerland's largest independent online store, founded in 1994 by Roland Brack, CEO Marc Isler, who represented the founder who was absent due to illness, was able to accept the second prize. Bronze was awarded to the owner-managed BSI Business Systems Integration AG from Baden. The software company with a total of eight locations in Switzerland and Germany offers smart industry solutions for retail, banking, insurance and life science, which are convincing as user-friendly helpers. The company specializes in software for CRM and marketing automation based on innovative technologies.

More information: Swiss Venture Club