The anniversary Wifo shows how innovation and courage are driving the Rhine Valley forward

"Three decades of Wifo - three decades of exchange, impetus and shared visions." Roland Günther from Abacus Research AG, representing the main sponsors, opened the 30th Rhine Valley Economic Forum with these words. The event not only impresses with the diversity of companies and personalities that it brings together year after year, but also shows how crucial the interplay between location and strategy is. Continuity and the courage to constantly reinvent oneself are key factors - not only for a successful forum, but for every future-oriented company.

Roland Günther was followed on stage by Susanne Hartmann, President of the Government of St. Gallen. She emphasized the urgency of investing in securing the future of the Rhine Valley: "Secure the future, because the future is uncertain." Innovation is the key to the successful further development of the region. Hartmann was confident: exciting prospects were open to the Rhine Valley and she hoped to be able to report on initial successes at the next Wifo.

The trophy stays in Switzerland

This year's "Prize of the Rhine Valley Economy" went to Leica Geosystems - a pioneer of modern measurement technology and a synonym for precision and innovation. The company has made a decisive contribution to establishing the Rhine Valley as "Precision Valley" and remains firmly rooted in the region even 20 years after its acquisition by Hexagon. The late honor of Leica Geosystems with the award raised the question: Why only now? Jury president Klaus Brammertz took it with humor and said: "I've asked myself that too." CEO Thomas Harring was relaxed. He lifted the heavy sculpture with a smile and assured: "The trophy isn't going to Stockholm or to my house." Instead, the trophy will find a place of honor with the employees.

Guy Parmelin focuses on innovation and neutrality

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin quickly won over the audience with his charm and humor. "The hall is sold out. That's certainly not just down to me, but maybe a little bit," he joked at the beginning. He then turned his attention to the question: "How do we make Switzerland attractive as a business location and keep it that way?" According to Parmelin, this question has rarely been as topical as it is today, as times are more uncertain than ever. He emphasized the importance of education, research and innovation and stressed that innovation is not a matter of course, but requires continuous care. This also includes the protection of intellectual property, the real asset of a company.

Parmelin described neutrality as one of Switzerland's greatest strengths. It allows us to remain objective in difficult geopolitical times. In conclusion, the Federal Councillor emphasized that Switzerland can only be successful if it actively shapes the future itself. This avoids unnecessary assumptions, fear and passivity and is the key to mastering challenges and seizing opportunities.

Hilti CEO on the future of the construction industry

Jahangir Doongaji, CEO of the Hilti Group, spoke about the challenges facing the construction industry. Low productivity, a shortage of skilled workers and increasing demands on sustainability and safety were shaping the industry. "Construction is getting better - faster, safer and greener," explained Doongaji, emphasizing how digitalization and robotics are driving change.

Hilti relies on clear strategies based on the company's core competencies as well as long-term investments in innovation and employees. "It takes courage to make decisions," emphasized Doongaji. With the vision "Making Construction Better", Hilti wants to make construction more productive, safer and more sustainable and continue to assert itself as a trustworthy partner in the industry.

Corporate strategy in uncertain times

The panel discussion with Jahangir Doongaji, Franziska Tschudi Sauber, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Weidmann Group, and Alfred Felder, CEO Zumtobel Group, shed light on the challenges facing international companies in the face of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Franziska Tschudi Sauber recalled a guiding principle from her student days at the HSG: "You should build tents instead of palaces. For her, flexibility and the ability to adapt are crucial in entrepreneurship. Jahangir Doongaji compared today's corporate management with a video game and explained that everything changes quickly and companies have to react accordingly. Alfred Felder added that innovation is crucial in such times: "It always pays to invest in the future - even in difficult times.

In addition to strategy, corporate culture plays a decisive role. Doongaji emphasized: "The strategy says what we do and the culture says how we do it." He emphasized how important it is to actively live the culture. At Hilti, managers are therefore not only judged on results, but also on how they develop employees. Tschudi Sauber added that it is sometimes necessary to part ways with high-performing but not team-oriented employees in order to protect the culture. All three agreed that in a tight labor market, it is crucial to attract and retain qualified specialists.

Generation change: women in management

After the break, moderator Sonja Hasler held a discussion with Antje von Dewitz, CEO of Vaude Sport, and Diana Gutjahr, President of the Board of Directors of Ernst Fischer AG, about their experiences with the generational change in family businesses. The focus was particularly on the challenge of taking on a management position as a woman - a role that was not a given for either of them. Their fathers had not originally intended them as successors. Gutjahr was closely involved with her father's company from an early age, but she was not initially seen as a successor: "Steel and metal are not typical female domains."

According to von Dewitz, family businesses are "very passionate and family-run, which also entails risks, especially when different systems collide". The change towards more sustainability at Vaude after her takeover was a major transformation process: "We changed a lot of materials, switched everything to sustainable and recycled and made the supply chains transparent." The concept was initially met with skepticism, but she remains convinced: "Sustainability costs money, but it makes companies innovative and fit for the future."

Farewell to Reinhard Frei

At the end of the 30th Rhine Valley Economic Forum, Reinhard Frei, who shaped the forum for many years, was bid farewell. Karl Stadler, former President of the Employers' Association, paid tribute to his achievements and described Frei as the driving force behind numerous projects that have made the Economic Forum a permanent fixture in the Rhine Valley. The anniversary forum ended with great applause and a ceremonial handover of the baton to Karin Krawczyk.