Sustainable development and the demands it places on companies are becoming more and more important. Thanks to their innovative strength, Swiss SMEs are an important part of the global trend. Conversely, the multifaceted aspects of sustainability offer unique opportunities for successful business models, value chains, and market development strategies in international business.
The International Trade Forum looks at the topic of sustainability from a entrepreneurial perspective and generates new impetus to how Swiss companies can get off to a sustainable start in global competition while remaining successful long term: just as exemplified by the three finalists of the Export Award 2024. One of the three companies will be selected as the winner at the International Trade Forum.
Lombardi – Swiss engineering to combat climate change
The Lombardi Group, based in Giubiasco (Canton of Ticino), provides engineering services for demanding transport, underground and water-related infrastructures, focusing on renewable energy. Leveraging the expertise it has acquired by building Alpine hydropower plants and long transalpine railway tunnels in Switzerland, it exports this around the globe while maintaining its core engineering services from Switzerland, even for orders from far-flung markets. This enables the SME to successfully compete on a global scale and exhibit strong organic growth.
NÜSSLI – temporary structures from Switzerland for the global stage
The NÜSSLI Group from Hüttwilen (Canton of Thurgau) creates 1,500 temporary stages, grandstands and pavilions every year. Its structures can be found at many of the major business, cultural and sporting events around the world. Its export share has been steadily increasing since the company was established in 1941. Today, it sits at 60 percent and is expected to rise to 80 percent by 2027. The structures are set up and dismantled swiftly and highly professionally – just a few days after a gig, there is no visible trace of it left. As a result, NÜSSLI’s temporary structures are a good example of sustainable economic activity.
Xovis – measuring people flows around the world with Swiss precision
Since its establishment in 2008, Xovis AG has become a global leader in intelligent people flow management. 300,000 Xovis sensors are in use in airports, retail, transport and smart buildings around the world. Xovis high-precision sensors detect the presence and movement of people, and use artificial intelligence to determine characteristics such as gender, position, and direction of vision. This technology enables people flows to be analyzed and optimized in real-time.
Award ceremony at the International Trade Forum
The three finalists were selected by an honorary and independent jury. The winner of the Export Award 2024 will be announced at a ceremony as part of the International Trade Forum at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on April 23, 2024. The award will be presented by Ruth Metzler-Arnold, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of S-GE, and Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO of S-GE. Further information can be found here: https://www.s-ge.com/de/export-award
