Swiss medtech firms well positioned for the next burst of growth

Switzerland occupies a top position worldwide as an attractive location for medical technology with a view to its density and economic importance. With 52,000 full-time positions, the country has the biggest proportion of all medtech employees in Europe. With approximately 1,450 manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and service providers, the most companies per head are located here. With a proportion of 1.1% of all those gainfully employed, 2.3% of GDP and 5.2% of all of Switzerland's exports, the medtech industry here even tops that of the EU and the USA.

Efficiency improved, euro crisis overcome
In times of change, the Swiss medtech firms have largely done their homework and improved their operational excellence. According to the authors of the study, they are well positioned for the next burst of growth.

A third of the firms overcame the euro crisis with the help of the SNB's monetary policy. However, the international exchange rate problems remain, which curtails the competitiveness of the Swiss medical technology firms in the affected countries such as the USA. For this reason, investments are also being made in countries with more advantageous rates.

Partnerships and product licences
In order to acquire market shares, 20% of the firms are planning collaborations and joint ventures with suppliers, distributors and buyers. Partnerships and acquisitions along the value chain are in demand. Firms with high growth expectations are concentrating on developing new services, fundamentally regenerating their portfolio and occupying niches. In addition to the insourcing of productive capacities, the acquisition of product licences – similarly to in the pharmaceuticals and biotech industry – is emerging as a new trend in medical technology.

76% of Swiss medical technology firms (5% more than in 2012) are planning "strategic" investments in the next two years as well, approximately 70% thereof in production and R&D. Marketing & sales are growing in importance as a third area. The focus is increasingly on the home market, with spending in Switzerland to increase by 10%.

The report can be downloaded for free from the website of the Medical Cluster.