SUISSE news Summer 2020
Business
July 2020

Business News (July 2020)


BERN-BASED XOVIS’ 3D SENSORS MAKE FACE MASK DETECTION EASY

With the introduction of Face Mask Detection and View Direction, two new AI features for their 3D people counting sensors, the technology from the Bern-based manufacturer Xovis now also helps to comply with the obligation to wear masks.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made face masks compulsory in many public places. Xovis has responded by developing a new AI feature that recognizes whether or not face masks are in fact being worn.

The Bern-based company’s 3D sensors recognize if a person is wearing a face mask and can report that information in a timely manner, making it easier to comply with Covid-19 requirements. This innovative and GDPR compliant technology is also currently the only kind to detect face masks directly on 3D sensors.

"Covid-19 has made face masks compulsory in many public places ; we have responded by developing a new AI feature for our sensors to recognize whether or not face masks are in fact being worn. In a bid to help businesses adhere to public health regulations, this new software plugin for Face Mask Detection will be free of charge until the end of the year for our partners working with the Xovis Cloud Account," explains Anne Wyder, Head of Retail at Xovis.

BASEL IS "PROBABLY THE MOST PRODUCTIVE LIFE SCIENCES LOCATION IN THE WORLD"

Two thirds of the value added attributable to the pharmaceutical industry as a whole in Switzerland is generated in the Basel Area, as revealed by an Interpharma report. However, the region also shines in an international comparison. Interpharma CEO René Buholzer regards it as “probably the most productive life sciences location in the world”.

The association Interpharma has looked into the Swiss pharma cluster as part of a report and compared it with other international life sciences locations. The Basel Area is described in the report as the “leading pharma region of Switzerland”. According to information contained in the report, at a total of 24.5 billion Swiss francs, the area is responsible for generating two thirds of Switzerland’s pharma value added as a whole.

The success of the Basel pharmaceutical sector is attributed to the favourable framework conditions, among other factors, in the report. Moreover, the presence of top-class colleges and universities such as the University of Basel and an offshoot of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) also plays a significant role. Last but not least, the region’s proximity to Germany and France, to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg as well as to Switzerland’s Rhine ports is additionally highlighted.

NESPRESSO INVESTS CHF 160 MILLION IN THE EXPANSION OF ITS ROMONT PRODUCTION CENTER

Nespresso has announced a CHF 160 million investment to expand its Romont production center to meet increasing consumer demand for its coffees. This expansion is expected to create 300 new jobs.

This sum is destined for the expansion of Nespresso’s production center in Romont (canton of Fribourg) in order to meet the growing consumer demand for its coffees and to support its international development in the years to come.

“These are the kind of announcements that feel good in times of crisis. Nespresso confirms that large international groups can produce competitively in our region. It’s also an investment that strengthens our region in the bio-economy field”, said Olivier Curty, State Councillor and Director of Economic Affairs and Employment of the canton of Fribourg.

All Nespresso coffees distributed worldwide are produced in Switzerland. Over the past 10 years, in addition to ongoing investment in its business, Nespresso has invested CHF 700 million in its three Swiss-based production centers in the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg.
SCCC Corporate Members
  • Habib Canadian Bank  (Subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich)
  • Zurich Canada
  • Laderach (Canada) Inc.
  • Custom Spring Corporate
  • Rolex Canada Ltd.
  • Lette LLP
  • Swiss Business Hub
  • Roche Canada
  • Swissmar Ltd.
  • Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.
  • Endress + Hauser Canada Ltd
  • Hilti (Canada) Corporation
  • Switzerland Tourism
  • Mazars LLP
  • Canadian Tire Corporation
  • Lindt & Spruengli (Canada) Inc.
  • Adecco Employment Services Limited