Switzerland is home to many world-renowned brands. These big firms create employment and contribute to the GDP. They create wealth and opportunities. They enrich the lives of everyone in the country, including vast numbers of migrants. An important contributor of the sustained success of these global brands is how they care for their employees. Here is a look at some of the big names which make it all possible.
Nestlé
Nestlé is a Swiss multinational food conglomerate headquartered in Vevey, the birthplace of milk chocolate. It is the world’s largest food processing corporation. Nestlé’s annual revenue in 2020 was CHF 14.2 billion (about EUR 13 billion). Nestlé has 273,000 employees and has operations in 186 countries. It employs 10,133 people in Switzerland. Full-time employees of Nestlé are eligible for incentives based on the company’s overall annual performance. Being a part of Nestlé also comes with perks like discounts on buying and renting vehicles, tickets to sporting events, and more.
Rolex
Rolex is among the world’s best known luxury watch manufacturers. Based in Geneva, Rolex has been a leader in its domain for more than 100 years. It commands 22% of the global market for Swiss watches. Rolex produces more than 800,000 watches annually. All its watches are made and set by skilled employees. The watchmaker’s manufacturing process is the most sophisticated in the world. Rolex produces its gold cases, bracelets, dials, bezels, and movements in-house with incredible efficiency and quality. Rolex controls the production of all the main components of its watches like the movement, the case, bracelet, and dials. Production quality is further enhanced with the use of exclusive equipment in manufacturing. Rolex has 4,000 employees worldwide. It generated CHF 8 billion (EUR 7 billion) in retail sales in 2019.
Swatch
Swatch was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Biel, Switzerland. It is an international group active in the design, manufacture, and sale of watches, jewellery, watch movements, and components. The group owns the Swatch product line and other brands including Blancpain, Breguet, and Glashütte Original. Swatch has 2 segments namely Watches & Jewelry, and Electronic Systems. The former is involved in the design, production, and marketing of watches and jewellery. The Electronic Systems segment develops, manufactures, and sells electronic components. Swatch supplies nearly all the components needed by its 18 watch brands. Swatch Group companies also supply movements and components to third party watchmakers in Switzerland and around the world.
In 2019 the Swatch Group’s global revenues amounted to CHF 8.24 billion (EUR 7.5 billion). As of late 2020 Swatch had 32,400 employees in 50 countries. Switzerland is home to vast numbers of migrant workers. These expat professionals regularly send remittances back to their home countries via the Ria Money Transfer App and similar channels. Swatch encourages employees to make the most of their strengths. The firm helps them progress in areas where they might have room for improvement. Employees receive a monthly performance-based share up to 50% of the base salary. They also get monthly contributions towards health insurance, employee discounts, and other benefits.
Lindt
Chocoladefabriken Lindt and Sprüngli AG is a Swiss chocolatier and confectioner founded in 1845. Lindt is a global leader in chocolate confectionery. It is well-known for its chocolate truffles, chocolate bars, and other goodies. Lindt is renowned for premium quality, a wide selection of products, and a presence in more than 120 countries. During more than 160 years of Lindt ‘s existence it has become known as one of the most innovative companies in its domain. Lindt is one of few chocolate makers to control every step of production, right from the selection of the cocoa beans sourced from the best growing areas, to the final finished product. In financial year 2019 Lindt recorded group sales of CHF 4.51 billion (EUR 4.1 billion) and employed 13,557 people globally.
Sika
This is a Swiss multinational specialty chemical company. It supplies primarily to the building and motor vehicle industries. Sika products are used in a wide range of applications such as bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting. Sika has over 300 factories and subsidiaries in 100 countries. At the end of 2019 Sika won the Swiss Technology Award for an innovative new adhesive technology. Sika has 25,000 employees (as of 2020) and generates annual sales of CHF 7.88 billion (EUR 7.2 billion). Sika employees enjoy medical/dental/vision cover, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, educational assistance, and short-term disability benefits with salary continuation.