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High destructive potential
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 .
Swiss Logistics Campus in Zofingen officially opened
Numerous visitors, friends and the entire crew of the new Swiss Logistics Campus of the Swiss Association for Vocational Training in Logistics, Swiss Logistics by SVBL ASFL, found their way to the official opening of the impressive new location in Zofingen over the weekend.
Leading in intralogistics with robots
the International Federation of Robotics' (IFR) annual report "World Robotics 2025 - Service Robots," approximately 102,900 robots for transport and logistics tasks were sold worldwide in 2024. Sales increased by 14 percent in 2024. More than three-quarters came from Asia, and 11 percent from Europe.
"Organic" combined with high tech
High-tech and products processed from natural ingredients are not mutually exclusive. "Organic" does n't mean everything is done manually, but rather that it adheres to high ecological standards. This is also true for the organic wholesaler Weiling, where an AutoStore system has recently enabled peak logistical performance.
Ready for the "Great Leap"
Founded in Xuzhou in 1943, the Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG) generates approximately €13 billion in revenue with 13,000 employees worldwide. Its portfolio includes construction machinery, cranes, commercial vehicles, and a growing range of material handling equipment and port handling machinery.
Completely unmanned logistics?
Warehouse robotics specialist Geekplus is launching its new picking station "Geek+ Brain," ushering in a new era of warehouses operating entirely without human workers. CEO Yong Zheng " a major step from partial automation to full process intelligence . "
Start of the IFOY countdown
Applications for the IFOY Award 2026 are still open. The submission period is now in its submit products and systems for the prestigious award until October 30th
55 percent more orders
Revenue of the intralogistics specialist TGW, which plans, builds, and maintains highly automated logistics centers, slightly exceeded the previous year's all-time high of €1.07 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year . Order intake reached €1.5 billion, and the number of employees rose to 4,645.
With brains on the spot
Robotics provider German Bionic is presenting a new AI-assisted exoskeleton called "Exia" at this year's A+A – the world's leading trade fair for occupational health, safety, and ergonomics. According to the company, this is the world's first exoskeleton controlled by augmented AI with high levels of comprehension.
Train protection at Rochers-de-Naye
Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera (MVR) is modernizing its railway infrastructure on the line connecting Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye, offering spectacular views of the Vaud Alps and Lake Geneva, using Stadler's CBTC signaling technology.
Next stop: Gulf region
Next stop: Gulf region
Stadler CEO Peter Spuhler couldn't miss this opportunity. Both Transport Minister and CEO of Saudi Arabia Railways Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and Swiss Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin were present at the signing of a 600 million euro contract for 20 high-speed trains for Saudi Arabia.
The new trains will be designed according to the latest European and international standards and specially equipped for the climatic and environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia. They will be approximately 175 m long, feature two independent diesel-electric propulsion units that comply with the latest European Stage V emissions standards, and accommodate approximately 320 passengers. They will be deployed on the SAR's rapidly expanding rail network throughout the country.
The supply contract includes a base contract for ten trains with an option for a further ten. The maintenance contract covers full maintenance and the supply of spare parts for a period of ten years and for an additional ten trains for the next decade. The total contract value is estimated at CHF 600 million.
Fig.: Stadlerrail
The contract follows an international tender process by SAR in 2022. Stadler was selected as SAR's preferred provider in 2023, followed by an extensive negotiation process. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), and an engineer himself, explained that the acquisition of these modern trains is a response to the growing demand for East Train passenger services, as the new trains will help double the annual capacity of the East Trains to more than 3.8 million passengers per year and offer direct services from Riyadh to Dammam (express service).
Al-Jasser added that the introduction of these modern trains into the rail network is also in line with the initiatives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), which aims to (...) expand the public transport system in the Kingdom and open up new horizons for economical transport.
The CEO of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), Bashar bin Khaled Al-Malik, stated: "Today, we are witnessing a comprehensive development and a sustained strategic transformation in the railway sector. (...) The new trains will serve the entire operating area of the Eastern Railway network, increasing seating capacity, the number of daily journeys, and the network's annual capacity, as the trains will serve the stations of Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq, and Dammam."
"We will do everything in our power to meet the high expectations of the SAR and its passengers," said Peter Spuhler. Entering the Gulf region's railway market is a strategic milestone for Stadler, "a market that is expected to outperform other railway markets in terms of travel experience and passenger growth."
(Pictured from left to right: Stadler CEO Peter Spuhler, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and Bashar bin Khaled Al-Malik, CEO of Saudi Arabia Railways)
