As feared, the US tariffs are causing a collapse in tech exports. According to Swissmem, the resulting negative effects took full effect within seven weeks in the third quarter. Exports from the Swiss tech industry to the US plummeted by 14.2% compared to the same quarter of the previous year .

Ten percent growth in a weakening economic environment is a remarkable achievement in times like these. The fire protection and prevention specialists of the Wagner Group report consolidated total revenue of EUR 152 million in 2024/25, despite rising labor, raw material, and transportation costs.

The fire protection specialists of the Wagner Group have been honored with the "GIT Safety Award 2026" for their "OxyReduct F-Line." The system expands the OxyReduct process with H2- based fuel cell technology, which simultaneously ensures emission-free energy supply.

 CvDungern

Cecil von Dungern will succeed current CEO Andreas Erbe, who, according to the company, will leave Wagner Fire Safety Consulting GmbH at the end of March for personal reasons. Von Dungern's successor already joined the management team at the beginning of January.

Image: reFuel.ch

Nine Swiss colleges, universities, and research institutions from various disciplines are involved in a consortium called "reFuel.ch," funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), which launched in December.

Photo: Swissmem

The Swiss metal industry association Swissmem views the dramatic appreciation of the Swiss franc against the euro and the US dollar as a threat to the tech industry, which exports 80% of its products. This development is detrimental to companies already struggling with a sharp decline in orders due to the industrial recession.

Th. Schulze

ZF Friedrichshafen, which began as a "gear factory" and the Zeppelin Foundation and has grown into a globally active technology group with systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industry, has appointed Thomas Schulze to its Supervisory Board. 

W. Wagner, B. Weindl

Wagner Rail GmbH, a subsidiary of fire protection solutions provider specializing in rail transport, has expanded its management team. Bernhard Weindl joins Markus Müller and Peter Stahl as an additional CEO, driving the expansion and further development of Wagner Rail GmbH.

Crane control specialist HBC radiomatic describes it as the largest construction project in its history – and is now nearing completion. A new building with a total area of approximately 5,500 square meters has been built at its production site in Crailsheim in recent months. 

The fire protection systems provider has hired Kai Beckhaus as CEO of its Chicago-based US subsidiary, Fire Safety Inc. Beckhaus joins from Jungheinrich and was until recently President of MCJ Supply Chain Solutions LLC, the joint venture between the company and Mitsubishi Logisnext. 

S.Hajra, T.Wagner

At the beginning of June, the Wagner Group launched its operations on the Indian subcontinent with a new subsidiary, "Wagner Fire Safety India Private Limited." The focus is primarily on logistics, with a focus on deep-freeze storage, as well as pharmaceuticals, data centers, and textile production. 

"Net zero" is the goal. Not in terms of revenue, of course, but rather to use technological innovations to "limit climate change while maintaining prosperity in Switzerland," explains Swissmem President Martin Hirzel. The metalworking industry faces difficult times ahead.

Fires in logistics warehouses are often fatal not only because of the high levels of stored assets, but also because the released fumes, smoke and soot particles, and other potentially toxic substances and compounds can cause significant damage. 

 With the “smallest smart city in the world”, Bouygues Energies & Services is currently presenting intelligent solutions in Niedergösgen for site operators, municipalities and cities that want to reduce their ecological footprint and manage infrastructures more energy-efficiently.

Photo: Ferag

On the roofs of the conveyor technology specialist Ferag in Hinwil, the installation of the announced photovoltaic system is underway, covering an area of ​​approximately 9,000 square meters, equivalent to the size of 1.2 football fields. The work is being carried out in phases and is expected to be completed in May 2023.