Winner of the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2020: Renggli AG from Sursee
(Update) On May 26, the winner of the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2020 was chosen - after two postponements. Out of the six finalists, Renggli AG from Sursee in Lucerne won the race, with Elbatech AG and Shiptec AG taking the other places on the podium.
The Swiss Venture Club (SVC), an independent, non-profit association for the promotion and support of SMEs in Switzerland, had actually wanted to award the Prix SVC Zentralschweiz 2020 in June 2020. But the pandemic put a spanner in the works. Finally, however, the time had come: on the afternoon of May 26, 2021, presenter Nik Hartmann welcomed the approved live guests at the KKL Luzern as well as the more than 180 viewers* of the live stream.
Award SME elite
According to Urban Camenzind, member of the cantonal government of Uri and jury president, and SVC regional manager Christoph Baggenstos, cancellation was never an issue. The six finalists were also checked again to see if they had retained their "prize-worthiness" during the "Corona extension". According to the jury, nothing had to be changed in the result - and the award winners could be kept secret until the end. "We award companies that belong to the SME elite in Switzerland. Our focus is on exemplary companies that create jobs and help shape the Swiss economy. With the Prix SVC, we offer these companies a platform to showcase their success to the outside world. Last but not least, the attention that our award winners receive through the Prix SVC should also be an incentive for other companies," says Baggenstos.
Six top-class finalists
The jury has selected the winner of the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2020 from the following six finalists. These six companies were nominated in a multi-stage selection process from 120 companies in the region:
- allvisual ag, Steinhausen: Based on best practice, allvisual advises and implements services and solutions in the areas of digital transformation, product lifecycle management, smart manufacturing/service and 3D visualization for companies in the aviation, automotive, mechanical and plant engineering and medical technology sectors. Interesting detail on the side: at the origin of the company was the design and construction of helicopters. However, this area was eventually sold to an Italian company, which is now successful with it.
- Elbatech AG, Ibach: The company installs modern tunnel radio systems for rail operators throughout Switzerland, thus ensuring uninterrupted communication for all passengers. The design and installation of traction power systems and diamond drilling are other important areas of activity. A special feature of the company is that its fleet now includes its own locomotive.
- Gübelin, Lucerne: The company, known for its gemstone expertise, creates and produces jewelry in its in-house atelier under its own brand Gübelin Jewellery, and also sells world-renowned luxury watch brands in its boutiques. To ensure that the valuable raw materials - gold, gemstones - come from a secure source, Gübelin relies on blockchain technology.
- Renggli AG, Sursee: With over 95 years of experience as a timber construction partner and general contractor, Renggli AG offers energy-efficient and sustainable timber construction projects in modern architecture - equally for multi-storey residential buildings, commercial and public buildings as well as for single-family homes. The fourth-generation family business will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023.
- Seiler Käserei AG, Giswil: As an independent, owner-managed traditional company, Seiler Käserei AG has been producing excellent cheese specialties since 1928. Seiler processes only natural raw materials without additives. The milk comes from farms with controlled agriculture, directly from the slopes and valleys of the surrounding area. Some cheese varieties are also available in organic quality.
- Shiptec AG, Lucerne: With its shipyard and an engineering office, the company provides technical services in the fields of ship design and engineering, shipbuilding, ship overhauls, conversions and ship maintenance for professional and private shipping.
The winner of the Prix SVC Central Switzerland 2020
In the end, it was the innovative timber construction company Renggli AG, based in Sursee, that was able to accept the Entrepreneur Award, which was presented for the eighth time. Max Renggli expressed his gratitude with emotional words for the honor that had unexpectedly come to him and the staff gathered in a workshop in Schötz. Jury president Urban Camenzind, Director of Economic Affairs for the Canton of Uri, paid tribute to the winner in his laudation: "Renggli AG is known for energy-efficient construction with wood and is one of the MINERGIE pioneers in Switzerland and beyond. The family-owned company has already lived sustainability and put it into practice when this word was often still theory. Renggli AG is characterized by innovation and pioneering spirit. This also makes the company successful in business and equipped for the future." Renggli AG employs over 230 people at its locations in Sursee, Schötz, Granges-Paccot, Ascona and Winterthur. The family-owned company is managed in the fourth generation by Max Renggli, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Elbatech AG and Shiptec AG in second and third place
Second place goes to Elbatech AG. This manufacturer of modern tunnel radio systems is characterized by innovative in-house developments and complete solutions. Elbatech was founded in 2007, is run by Florian Reichmuth and Stefan Franzen
and employs 45 people.
Bronze goes to Shiptec AG, the leading Swiss company in the shipbuilding industry. The company was founded in 2013 as a subsidiary of Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG, but its wealth of experience dates back to 1931. Today, Shiptec AG employs over 70 people and is managed by Ruedi Stadelmann.
Three other SMEs from Central Switzerland, allvisual ag, Gübelin and Käserei Seiler, are on the diploma ranks and stand out for their special economic performance.
Prix SVC Central Switzerland: Publicity for SMEs
As the SVC's most high-profile activity, the Prix SVC has become a well-known event throughout Switzerland and is now held every two years in eight economic regions. In 2021, for example, the Prix SVC Espace Mittelland will be awarded in German-speaking Switzerland on August 19.
The Prix SVC Central Switzerland has now been awarded for the eighth time. Furthermore, the following companies have received this award
won: 2018 Seven-Air Gebr. Meyer AG, 2016 Thermoplan AG, 2014 Confiseur Bachmann AG, 2012 LK International AG, 2010 Geistlich Pharma AG, 2008 Max Felchlin AG and 2006 maxon Motor AG.
