The Swiss Fund
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Company profileAllreal Holding AG is one of Switzerland’s leading property companies, based in Opfikon, Canton of Zurich. Its business model combines a high-quality portfolio of commercial and residential properties, the majority of which Allreal develops, builds and manages itself. The group operates in the “property segment” (letting of office, retail and residential space) and the “development segment” (main contractor services, architecture, planning). The property portfolio is concentrated in Switzerland’s economic centres, with a focus on the Greater Zurich area as well as Basel, Bern and Geneva. Allreal has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since March 2000 and is characterised, among other things, by a long-standing, stable dividend policy. www.allreal.ch

SwissnessAllreal is deeply rooted in Switzerland’s economic centres, with a portfolio comprising exclusively Swiss properties. For over 25 years, the company has stood for Swiss quality in architecture, construction and property management “from a single source”. Its broad Swiss shareholder base underlines its close ties to the Swiss capital market.

Animal protection and nature conservationAllreal aims to achieve CO₂ neutrality across its portfolio by 2050 and is committed to promoting biodiversity and the use of recyclable building materials. With the Richti site in Wallisellen, Allreal realised one of Switzerland’s first “2000-watt sites” between 2010 and 2014. The company has its sustainability performance regularly assessed as part of the GRESB benchmark and publishes an annual sustainability report.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileBanque Cantonale Vaudoise (BCV) is the leading universal bank in the canton of Vaud, with its head office in Lausanne. The bank offers the full range of banking services: retail banking, mortgage lending, private banking, corporate banking, asset management and trading. It supports all sectors of the canton of Vaud’s economy and has a comprehensive presence across the canton with over 60 branches and around 200 ATMs. The BCV Group is one of the largest cantonal banks in Switzerland. Thanks to its solid capital base and strong performance, BCV holds an AA rating from Standard & Poor’s without relying on an explicit government guarantee. www.bcv.ch

SwissnessSince its foundation in 1845, BCV has been firmly linked to the canton of Vaud as its majority shareholder – a classic example of a Swiss cantonal bank’s roots in public law. It is an integral part of Vaud’s economy and identity, with a clear focus on the regional home market and support for local SMEs, private clients and institutions.

Animal protection and nature conservationAs a cantonal universal bank, BCV is committed to the sustainable development of the Vaud economy and supports local businesses and projects through its extensive branch network. Furthermore, BCV is a cooperation partner in the asset management arm of Ethos Services, a sustainable proxy advisory firm and investor and a subsidiary of the Ethos Foundation, which was established by Swiss pension funds to promote sustainable investment and active Swiss shareholding.

Swissness factor9/10

Company profileBerner Kantonalbank AG (BEKB/BCBE) is the leading universal bank in the Canton of Bern and one of the largest cantonal banks in Switzerland. It offers the full range of traditional banking services for private clients, SMEs, corporate clients and institutional investors, including payment services, mortgages, investment and pension solutions as well as asset management. The bank has a dense branch network throughout the Bern region and serves around 483,000 customers. Assets under management total over CHF 45 billion. BEKB has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1998. In recent years, BEKB has, among other things, built a reputation as a particularly sustainable financial institution. www.bekb.ch

SwissnessBEKB is a traditional cantonal bank with the Canton of Bern as its majority shareholder, which entails close ties to public law and an implicit state guarantee. Since its foundation in 1834, the bank has been inextricably linked to the economic development of the Canton of Bern and provides significant funding to local SMEs, the agricultural sector and private clients. With over 48,000 shareholders, the majority of whom are from the region, BEKB has strong local roots.

Animal protection and nature conservationFor several years, BEKB has been publishing an “Annual and Sustainability Report” and has set itself climate targets to reduce the emissions caused by its lending and investment activities. The bank offers sustainable investment and mortgage products (e.g. energy-efficiency mortgages) and is strongly committed to sponsoring local cultural, sporting and social projects in the Canton of Bern.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileThe Burkhalter Group was founded in 1959 as a sole trader in Zurich and is now one of Switzerland’s leading providers of building services. The holding company, based in Zurich, brings together over 80 group companies at 169 locations in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Its range of services covers electrical engineering, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing as well as telematics, automation and security technology – from installation and servicing to maintenance for residential, industrial, commercial and infrastructure buildings. Growth is strongly driven by the trend towards energy-efficient building refurbishments and targeted acquisitions. www.burkhalter.ch

SwissnessBurkhalter was founded over 65 years ago as a family business in Zurich and is today the epitome of Swiss building services engineering expertise, with an exclusive focus on the domestic market of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Its decentralised structure, comprising locally rooted subsidiaries operating under well-known regional brand names, reflects Switzerland’s federalist economic structure. The high number of apprentices (around 1,000) underlines the company’s commitment to dual vocational training, a hallmark of the Swiss education system.

Animal protection and nature conservationBurkhalter benefits directly from the trend towards energy-efficient building refurbishments and thus contributes to the energy transition and CO₂ reduction across Switzerland’s building stock. The group attaches great importance to vocational training and diversity and publishes information on health and safety, staff development and resource efficiency in its annual report.

Swissness factor9/10

Company profileBVZ Holding AG, based in Zermatt (Canton of Valais), is the parent company of the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway Group, one of the leading rail and tourism companies in the Swiss Alps. Its core business comprises the operation of railway lines in the cantons of Valais, Uri and Graubünden, including the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway and the iconic Gornergrat Railway and Glacier Express brands. In addition, the group operates hotels and catering establishments in Zermatt via its subsidiaries, as well as providing property services. In the 2025 financial year, the Group achieved record figures: the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway carried over 10 million passengers for the first time, while the Gornergrat Railway carried 864,000. www.bvzholding.ch

SwissnessBVZ Holding is inextricably linked to the legend of Zermatt and the Matterhorn – two of Switzerland’s best-known symbols in international tourism. The group’s railways (Gornergrat Railway, Glacier Express) are among the most photographed and most significant tourist railway routes in the world and epitomise Swiss engineering excellence in alpine terrain. The group’s strong regional roots in Valais underline its close ties to the local economy and population.

Animal protection and nature conservationBy operating electrified mountain railways, the BVZ Group contributes to climate-friendly alpine mobility as an alternative to motorised private transport. The planned procurement of new multiple units (an investment of CHF 420 million) for the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway is set to significantly improve energy efficiency and capacity. As a car-free holiday resort, Zermatt itself plays a pioneering role in sustainable alpine tourism, from which the BVZ Group, as the key infrastructure operator, benefits directly.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileCembra is a leading Swiss provider of innovative financing and payment solutions. Its product range includes personal loans and car finance, credit cards, a range of related insurance products, as well as invoice financing and savings products. Cembra serves over 2 million customers in Switzerland and employs around 800 staff. Cembra is headquartered in Zurich and operates throughout Switzerland via various branches and online sales channels, as well as through credit-card partners, independent brokers and car dealers. Cembra has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange as an independent Swiss bank since 2013. The company is rated A- by Standard & Poor’s and is recognised by leading ESG rating agencies for its strong performance in the area of sustainability. www.cembra.ch

SwissnessCembra is one of the few independent Swiss retail banks that focus entirely on the Swiss domestic market and operate exclusively in Swiss francs. The company has a broad Swiss shareholder base and strong roots in the local consumer credit business.

Animal protection and nature conservationCembra has set itself net-zero climate targets and reports in accordance with recognised ESG standards (including GRI). The bank places great importance on diversity (employees from around 40 countries) and responsible lending, including measures to prevent over-indebtedness in consumer credit. Cembra is a member of Swiss industry initiatives on responsible lending, such as the ‘Information Centre for Consumer Credit (IKO)’.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileDavos Klosters Bergbahnen AG (DKB) is one of the largest and most diversified mountain railway companies in Switzerland. It operates the cable car systems in the Parsenn / Gotschnagrat and Jakobshorn ski areas, as well as other facilities in the Davos Klosters destination, covering a total area of around 150 km² with 255 kilometres of slopes, 82 runs and 27 transport facilities. In addition to its core business of mountain railways, the business model includes a significant portfolio of hotels and catering establishments, which now account for more than 40% of the group’s turnover. DKB is a key employer and economic driver in the Davos Klosters region. www.davosklostersmountains.ch

SwissnessDavos Klosters is one of Switzerland’s most traditional winter sports destinations and is known internationally, among other things, for the World Economic Forum. As the operator of the cable cars, DKB forms the backbone of tourism in this destination. Its strong diversification into the hotel and catering sectors exemplifies the typical Swiss model of integrated alpine tourism companies, which generate value for the region far beyond mere lift operations . As one of the region’s largest employers, DKB contributes to the economic stability of Davos and Klosters.

Animal protection and nature conservationGiven its high altitude (Parsenn at over 2,800 m), the ski resort enjoys comparatively reliable snow cover; nevertheless, Davos Klosters Bergbahnen continuously invests in efficient snow-making systems and energy-efficient cable car facilities. The good connections to the Rhaetian Railway enable many guests to travel to the resort sustainably and without using a car. The extensive portfolio of hotels and restaurants also provides opportunities for measures relating to building energy efficiency, regional sourcing and the reduction of food waste.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileEspace Real Estate is a medium-sized Swiss property company based in Solothurn. The company owns, develops and manages a portfolio of residential and commercial properties in the Swiss Mittelland. Its origins lie in the redevelopment and development of industrial sites and a land bank — demolition, refurbishment and new-build projects remain at the heart of its business model to this day. The portfolio focuses on the cantons of Solothurn, Bern, Aargau, Lucerne, Schaffhausen and Jura.

SwissnessAll properties are situated in the Swiss Mittelland. The company serves the domestic housing market rather than catering to international investor demand. There is no expansion abroad and no exposure to foreign currencies — rental income, financing and valuation are conducted entirely in Swiss francs. The company emerged from the merger of Vereinigte Drahtwerke Biel with MAB-Invest – the conversion of former industrial sites into residential and mixed-use neighbourhoods is a prime example of Swiss domestic development.

Animal protection and nature conservationEspace builds and renovates in accordance with SNBS criteria, which are geared towards climate-neutral buildings in line with the Energy Strategy 2050. Heating oil and other fossil fuels are systematically replaced by renewable heat generation in the energy mix. In addition, the company is expanding its energy infrastructure and digitising business processes.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileGeoterra Holding AG is the parent company of a group of around 20 legally independent engineering firms throughout Switzerland. Founded in 1963 by surveyor Jachen Caflisch in Wollerau, Schwyz, Geoterra has developed into Switzerland’s leading independent geomatics and engineering group. The service portfolio is divided into three segments: Surveying and Documentation (37% of turnover), Geomatics and Infrastructure (35%) and Soil and Structural Engineering (28%). Geoterra positions itself as the leading succession platform for owner-managed engineering firms in Switzerland. One-third of its client base consists of public sector organisations (municipalities, cantons, federal railways) and two-thirds from the private sector. www.geoterra-gruppe.ch

SwissnessGeoterra embodies the Swiss geomatics and surveying sector in corporate form. Through more than 60 years of organic growth, the group has internalised Switzerland’s unique federalist organisational model: each subsidiary retains its regional identity, brand and proximity to clients – mirroring the cantonal structure. Virtually all turnover is generated in Switzerland. The group is deeply embedded in public infrastructure (official surveying, cadastral registers, federal railway projects), operates in all three national languages and played a part in the construction of the ‘New Railway Link through the Alps (NEAT)’. Swiss standards of precision characterise the corporate culture.

Animal protection and nature conservationThrough its core business, Geoterra contributes directly to climate change adaptation: the Group monitors permafrost, landslides and infrastructure risks, thereby providing critical data for Switzerland’s climate resilience. Building Information Modelling (BIM) and planning methods based on it promote resource efficiency in the construction sector. On a social level, Geoterra strengthens regional corporate identities, offers staff share ownership and invests in vocational training.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileFounded in 1962, Intershop Holding AG is one of Switzerland’s oldest listed property companies. Its business model focuses on the acquisition, development, management and sale of properties throughout Switzerland, particularly in the Greater Zurich area. The portfolio comprises office, commercial, logistics and residential properties with a value of around CHF 1.75 billion. Intershop pursues an active management strategy with a focus on site developments and the repositioning of existing properties, such as the conversion of former industrial and logistics sites into modern commercial and mixed-use locations. The shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and are regarded as a value stock with a stable dividend policy. www.intershop.ch

SwissnessIntershop is one of Switzerland’s longest-established property companies and has been listed on the SIX for many years. The portfolio is entirely concentrated on the Swiss market, with a focus on the economically strong Greater Zurich area.

Animal protection and nature conservationIntershop continuously invests in the energy-efficient refurbishment and conversion of existing properties rather than in new-build developments on greenfield sites. This conserves resources (grey energy). The letting strategy increasingly takes energy efficiency standards into account in refurbishments and tenant fit-outs.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileJungfraubahn Holding AG, based in Interlaken, is the leading mountain railway and tourism group in the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland. The company operates a network of rack railways, funiculars and cable cars, including the famous Jungfraubahn to the “Top of Europe” (Jungfraujoch, 3,454 metres above sea level), the railways to the Schilthorn, Männlichen and First as well as other tourist facilities, catering establishments and hotels in the Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen region. The group is one of Switzerland’s leading tourism providers and a major attraction for international visitors, particularly from Asia. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. www.jungfrau.ch

SwissnessThe Jungfrau Railways are one of the best-known landmarks of Swiss tourism and the very symbol of the Swiss Alps – the railway to the Jungfraujoch (“Top of Europe”) is situated within the Unesco World Natural Heritage Site of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. The company has had deep roots in the Interlaken/Grindelwald/Wengen region for over 100 years and, as the largest employer and tourism operator, plays a key role in shaping the regional economy of the Bernese Oberland.

Animal protection and nature conservationThe strategic guidelines include improving the energy efficiency of rail systems, a consistent focus on sustainable tourism using CO₂-conscious modes of transport and resource-efficient operations as well as the diversification of services across all four seasons to reduce seasonal peaks in demand. The protection of the alpine environment is at the heart of the company’s strategy.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileLuzerner Kantonalbank AG (LUKB), founded in 1850, is the leading universal bank in the Canton of Lucerne and one of the larger cantonal banks in Switzerland. It operates 22 branches in the Canton of Lucerne, 1 office in Zurich (private banking and structured products) and 1 sales office each for structured products in Lausanne and Lugano. At the heart of LUKB lies the traditional cantonal banking business for private and corporate clients in the Lucerne economic and living area. Beyond its home market, LUKB serves clients in specialist areas such as investment, pensions, property, taxation, corporate finance and wealth management. 38.5% of the share capital is widely held by the public, whilst 61.5% is owned by the Canton of Lucerne. LUKB benefits from a state guarantee. www.lukb.ch

SwissnessLUKB is a long-established cantonal bank with the Canton of Lucerne as its majority shareholder and a history spanning over 175 years (founded in 1850). It is the key financial partner for the inhabitants, SMEs and the public sector in the Canton of Lucerne and embodies the Swiss model of a cantonal bank established under public law with a clear public-service mandate. Over 60% of all private individuals in Lucerne and around 50% of all Lucerne-based businesses have a banking relationship with LUKB.

Animal protection and nature conservationLUKB has aligned itself with the climate policies of the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Lucerne, with the aim of achieving ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2050 and an interim target of net-zero for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030. The bank systematically integrates ESG criteria into its investment solutions and lending practices and publishes an annual sustainability report.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileMeier Tobler is the leading Swiss supplier of building-services equipment for heating, air conditioning, ventilation and plumbing. The company is not a manufacturer, but a trading and service provider: it procures, stores, distributes and maintains building-services equipment, working in partnership with independent installation partners. Its business is divided into product retail, with around 50 cash-and-carry outlets across Switzerland, the sale of heating and air-conditioning systems, and the service and repair business. Strategically, the company stands to benefit from the replacement of fossil-fuel heating systems and the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings as part of Switzerland’s 2050 climate targets.

SwissnessThe current company was formed in 2018 through the merger of two long-established Swiss building services engineering firms, Walter Meier and Tobler Haustechnik. Its origins date back to the machine-tool business founded by Walter Meier in 1937, which was transformed over the decades into a building services engineering group through a series of acquisitions. Turnover, the customer base and service provisions are almost entirely based in Switzerland.

Animal protection and nature conservationThe core business contributes to decarbonisation: Meier Tobler replaces fossil-fuel heating systems with heat pumps and other renewable heat generators, thereby acting as a direct partner in the implementation of Switzerland’s 2050 climate targets in the buildings sector, which accounts for around a quarter of domestic CO₂ emissions. Within its own operations, the Oberbuchsiten logistics centre is equipped with a 2-megawatt photovoltaic system.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileWith a broadly diversified property portfolio with a total value of around CHF 4.2 billion, Mobimo Holding AG is one of Switzerland’s leading property companies. Its portfolio comprises residential and commercial properties, as well as development projects for its own investment portfolio and for third parties, all situated in prime locations in Switzerland. The buildings are characterised by balanced utilisation and careful management. Through its development projects, Mobimo further strengthens its earnings base and the value retention of its portfolio. As part of its development services, the company also creates investment opportunities for third parties. Mobimo employs around 180 staff. www.mobimo.ch

SwissnessMobimo is a long-established, wholly Swiss property company headquartered in Lucerne with a consistent focus on the Swiss property market – particularly growth regions in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland. The company’s in-house development of entire neighbourhoods and sites (e.g. Mobimo Tower Zurich) shapes the cityscapes of several Swiss cities and underlines the company’s regional roots.

Animal protection and nature conservationMobimo systematically integrates ESG criteria into its property management and development activities, including energy-efficient refurbishments, the use of energy-efficient technologies and the certification of new-build and existing properties in accordance with recognised sustainability standards (e.g. Minergie). Climate targets for the gradual decarbonisation of the portfolio are an integral part of the company’s strategy.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileThe Zurich Opera House operates a music theatre and a ballet company in the city of Zurich. It maintains its own orchestra, a company of singers, a choir and a ballet company and supports emerging artistic talent. Artistic freedom is guaranteed by law.

SwissnessProduction, performance, workshops and administration are based exclusively in Zurich. There is no export of productions and relocation is unthinkable. Set construction, costumes, make-up and technical services are provided in-house, thereby safeguarding rare professionals.

Animal protection and nature conservationOn the warehouse in Zurich-Oerlikon, there are 2,660 solar panels among which wildflowers grow. According to the company itself, this makes it the first and, to date, the only opera house to generate its own electricity.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profilePilatus-Bahnen AG has been operating the world’s steepest rack railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus-Kulm near Lucerne since 1889 as well as cable cars from Kriens to the summit. The company positions itself as a tourist destination with international appeal, featuring mountain restaurants, hotels on the summit and adventure activities such as a treetop walk and summer toboggan runs. In the 2025 financial year, a new record was set with around 840,000 passengers carried. The company has around 3,000 shareholders, reflecting a broad, regionally rooted ownership base. Its headquarters and operations are located in the Canton of Obwalden on the border with Lucerne. Pilatus-Bahnen is a major employer in the tourism sector in Central Switzerland. www.pilatus.ch

SwissnessSince its opening in 1889, the Pilatus Railway has been regarded as a pioneering feat of engineering and a landmark of Swiss railway construction – ‘the world’s steepest rack railway’ is an internationally promoted flagship of Swiss tourism. With around 3,000 shareholders, the company has a broad regional shareholder base. The shares are often passed down from generation to generation. Mount Pilatus itself is a mountain steeped in legend, holding great cultural significance for the City of Lucerne and shaping its global image as a tourist destination.

Animal protection and nature conservationThe rack railway and the cable cars are electrically powered and thus offer a climate-friendly alternative; the rack railway has also undergone ongoing technical modernisation to improve energy efficiency. As operator on an ecologically sensitive local mountain, the company pays particular attention to the protection of alpine flora and fauna, as well as to visitor management in nature conservation areas.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profilePSP Swiss Property is one of Switzerland’s leading property companies. The company owns office and commercial buildings worth around CHF 10 billion. The properties are situated in Switzerland’s major cities, primarily Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern and Lausanne. The prime locations and high quality of the properties characterise the company’s investment strategy. Thanks to a conservative financing policy and the resulting high equity ratio of over 50%, PSP Swiss Property has an exceptionally sound balance sheet. PSP Swiss Property shares have been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (PSPN) since the company’s initial public offering (IPO) in March 2000. www.psp.info

SwissnessPSP Swiss Property focuses on the Swiss domestic market and owns commercial and office properties located exclusively in Switzerland in prime locations within the largest economic centres, primarily Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and Basel. Its conservative, equity-strong balance sheet policy and deliberate avoidance of international expansion make PSP Swiss Property a sought-after ‘pure play’ for the Swiss property market.

Animal protection and nature conservationSustainability is an integral part of PSP Swiss Property’s business strategy. For many years, the company has reported transparently on developments in the areas of the environment, society and corporate governance. A key focus of the sustainability strategy is climate protection. PSP Swiss Property is committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement. The sustainability objectives are implemented step by step and on a property-by-property basis. The decarbonisation of the portfolio is achieved through the replacement of fossil-fuel heating systems, targeted refurbishment measures and the expansion of renewable energy sources.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileThe Rhaetian Railway (Rhätische Bahn, RhB) is the backbone of public transport in Graubünden and, at the same time, one of Switzerland’s best-known tourist landmarks. The rail network comprises 384 kilometres of narrow-gauge track, 102 stations, 624 bridges and 115 tunnels — all situated in the high Alps. The business is divided into passenger transport, car transport through the Vereina Tunnel, freight transport, infrastructure, property and rolling stock. The RhB thus provides both a licensed basic service for the people of Graubünden and top-class tourist services.

SwissnessThe Rhaetian Railway provides comprehensive coverage of Graubünden; trilingualism in its operations is a matter of course. As a network operator, it is physically tied to the region and cannot be relocated under any conceivable scenario. The Albula and Bernina lines have been recognised as engineering masterpieces and have been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2008. In 2025, the RhB, together with local partners, launched the ‘Landwasserwelt’ – complete with a viewing platform and viaduct shuttle – as a new tourist attraction. Few companies embody the Swiss engineering tradition as directly as the Rhaetian Railway.

Animal protection and nature conservationThe RhB reports in accordance with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures and – particularly noteworthy for a small company – the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). According to its own account, it is even one of the first railway operators worldwide to report in accordance with TNFD, thereby contributing to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Since 2025, the RhB has been pursuing a concept of ‘strong sustainability’, in which the ecological dimension and the primacy of nature are understood as the foundation for social well-being and economic success.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileRigi Bahnen AG is one of Switzerland’s most historic mountain railway companies and provides access to the ‘Queen of the Mountains’, the Rigi massif in Central Switzerland. The company was formed in 1992 through the merger of the Arth-Rigi Railway and the Vitznau-Rigi Railway and today operates two rack railways and two cable cars. In addition to rail operations, the business model includes an extensive range of catering facilities with several mountain restaurants, shops, leisure and wellness facilities, as well as winter sports facilities. In 2025, Rigi Bahnen AG recorded its fourth consecutive record year with over 1.02 million passengers. www.rigi.ch

SwissnessThe Rigi is one of Switzerland’s most iconic scenic mountains and a true tourist ‘landmark’. The Vitznau-Rigi Railway (1871), as Europe’s first mountain railway, is a central element of Swiss tourism history. The company is deeply rooted in the local community (over 5,500 shareholders, many from the Lake Lucerne / Central Switzerland region), reflecting a strong sense of regional connection and identification.

Animal protection and nature conservationRigi Bahnen AG participates in the Swiss tourism sector’s Swisstainable programme at the highest level, ‘Level III – leading’, and is committed to climate protection in tourism through the myclimate initiative ‘Cause We Care’. Specific measures include a photovoltaic system at Vitznau station (avoiding approx. 18,500 kg of CO₂ per year) and the use of lake water for heating and cooling the administrative building and depot in Vitznau. As part of the ‘Future Rigi 2030+’ strategy, around 120 potential measures for climate-friendly, sustainable tourism on the Rigi have also been developed.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileSäntis-Schwebebahn AG, based on the Schwägalp (Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden), has been providing access to the Säntis (2,502 metres above sea level) – the highest and most visited panoramic mountain in Eastern Switzerland – since 1935. The business model is based on several pillars: cable car operations (the Schwägalp–Säntis aerial tramway), catering (three mountain restaurants) and the hotel sector with the Säntis Hotel, complemented by a shop and retail area. As part of the major ‘Säntis 2026’ project, the existing cable cars will be completely replaced by a new, more efficient and wind-resistant reversible cable cars. www.saentisbahn.ch

SwissnessThe Säntis is one of the best-known scenic mountains in Eastern Switzerland and a landmark of the Appenzellerland / Toggenburg region, with a centuries-old tradition of alpine farming. The broad ownership structure, comprising 19,727 registered shareholders – predominantly from the region – gives the company a distinctly regional character and strong local ties. With the ‘Säntis 2026’ new-build project, the company is investing in the site’s future viability as a tourist destination while preserving its alpine identity.

Animal protection and nature conservationSäntis-Schwebebahn AG has been awarded the highest rating, ‘Level III – leading’, under the Swisstainable programme (1 of only 13 businesses in Eastern Switzerland to hold this classification). It is committed to the circular economy, collaboration with regional producers and measures to reduce food waste. At the ‘Säntis – das Hotel’ development, 30 geothermal probes cover a large proportion of the energy requirements. Furthermore, concrete was produced on-site using excavated material from the ‘Säntis 2026’ construction site, saving around 3,000 lorry journeys and 80,000 litres of diesel.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileSchilthornbahn AG, based in Mürren in the Bernese Oberland, operates the transport infrastructure between Stechelberg, Gimmelwald, Mürren, Birg and the Schilthorn summit (2,970 metres above sea level). The company became famous for the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn, the setting for the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969), which remains a major tourist attraction with international appeal to this day. The business is divided into the cable car and excursion transport segments as well as the hotel and catering sectors. Through the major “Schilthornbahn 20XX” project, the company has invested heavily in the modernisation of the cable-car infrastructure, which led to a record year for visitor numbers in 2025 despite construction-related service interruptions. The company has close ties to the municipality of Lauterbrunnen – according to its articles of association, at least two members of the board of directors must be resident there. www.schilthorn.ch

SwissnessWith the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant and its James Bond heritage, the Schilthornbahn embodies a world-renowned Swiss tourism icon at the heart of the Jungfrau-Aletsch Unesco World Natural Heritage Site. The company is deeply rooted in the local community: it is the main employer in the car-free mountain villages of Mürren and Gimmelwald, and the articles of association require the local municipality of Lauterbrunnen to be represented on the board of directors. With around 600 shareholders, many of whom are from the region, the ownership structure has traditionally been regionally based.

Animal protection and nature conservationThe complete railway infrastructure is powered entirely by hydroelectricity from the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The company pursues a sustainability strategy focusing on the local population and culture, waste and disposal, nature and landscape, energy and technology as well as construction and renovation. It places great importance on using local produce in its catering facilities. Through the ‘Ein Herz für Gimmelwald’ project, Schilthornbahn AG is also committed to the sustainable development of the village of Gimmelwald.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileSGV Holding AG (Lake Lucerne Navigation Company), based in Lucerne, is the leading tourism and shipping group in Central Switzerland. The group is divided into four operational units: SGV AG operates passenger services on Lake Lucerne with five historic steamboats (paddle steamers) and 15 motor vessels; SGV Express AG operates the high-speed boat service between Kehrsiten and Bürgenstock (around 495,000 passengers in 2025); Tavolago AG is responsible for the catering and hospitality business, including the Lucerne Oktoberfest; Shiptec AG specialises in shipbuilding and vessel maintenance. In total, the group carried over 3.3 million passengers in 2025. The equity ratio stands at a robust 67.4 per cent, and investments in 2025 were financed entirely from the group’s own resources. www.sgvgruppe.ch

SwissnessThe historic paddle steamers on Lake Lucerne are among the best-known landmarks of the Swiss tourism landscape and connect the iconic destinations of Rigi, Bürgenstock and Pilatus. With around 7,000 mostly regional small shareholders and a history spanning almost 190 years, the SGV Group embodies a Swiss institution deeply rooted in Central Switzerland, as well as being a major regional employer and a key contributor to local tourism and gastronomic culture.

Animal protection and nature conservationThe SGV Group has announced that, from 2027, it will become the world’s first shipping company to use synthetic fuel (solar diesel from Synhelion, approx. 100,000 litres per year) in its operations. In addition, there are plans to convert the paddle steamer MS Sapphire to hydrogen propulsion. These measures position the fleet on Lake Lucerne as a pioneer in the decarbonisation of Swiss passenger shipping and support sustainable tourism development in the region.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileSMG Swiss Marketplace Group Holding AG is the Swiss holding company behind a network of leading online marketplaces and brokerage platforms. Its best-known brands include ImmoScout24 and Homegate (property), AutoScout24 (cars), as well as platforms for second-hand goods and classified adverts (Ricardo, tutti.ch, anibis.ch). The company was formed in 2021 as a merger of established Swiss digital platforms, with participation from the TX Group, Ringier, Mobiliar and General Atlantic. It holds a strong market position in each of its core segments in Switzerland. SMG was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange on 19 September 2025. www.swissmarketplace.group

SwissnessSMG brings together Switzerland’s best-known and most widely used digital marketplaces under one roof, giving it a prominent role in everyday Swiss life (finding accommodation, buying a car, classified adverts). The shareholder structure, comprising Mobiliar and the TX Group, reflects close ties with long-established Swiss companies. The 2025 flotation was one of the largest IPOs on the SIX in recent years.

Animal protection and nature conservationAs a digital company with a primarily platform-based business model, SMG has a comparatively small environmental footprint. As part of its stock-market listing, the company has announced its first ESG measures, including those relating to diversity on governing bodies and responsible corporate governance; a comprehensive, externally certified sustainability report is currently being developed.

Swissness factor9/10

Company profileSunrise is Switzerland’s second-largest telecoms provider, offering mobile, fixed-line, broadband internet and television services to both residential and business customers. The company operates a nationwide mobile network and owns the cable infrastructure acquired through the takeover of UPC.

SwissnessSunrise’s turnover and customer base are almost exclusively in Switzerland. Telecommunications services are location-specific; there are no exports.

Animal protection and nature conservationSunrise’s sustainability strategy rests on four pillars — People, Planet and Progress — underpinned by governance as its foundation. In the external EcoVadis rating, Sunrise ranks among the top 1% of companies assessed worldwide. All of its electricity is sourced from renewable sources, predominantly Swiss hydropower. For a network operator whose environmental impact depends to a large extent on electricity consumption, this is the key lever.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileThurgauer Kantonalbank (TKB) is the leading universal bank in the Canton of Thurgau. The bank is a public-law institution with a state guarantee. TKB sees itself as a customer-focused advisory and retail bank serving private individuals, SMEs and corporate clients in the areas of payment transactions, savings and investment, mortgages and asset management. Thurgauer Kantonalbank has an extensive branch network throughout the canton and positions itself as a reliable financial partner throughout its customers’ entire life cycle. The bank recorded its best-ever results in the 2025 financial year. www.tkb.ch

SwissnessTKB is a public-law bank with a state guarantee, whose main shareholder is the Canton of Thurgau – a classic example of the federal, regionally anchored Swiss banking landscape. Since 1871, TKB has been ‘the bank for and in Thurgau’ and is deeply rooted in the local economy and society.

Animal protection and nature conservationTKB pursues a holistic sustainability strategy across the three ESG dimensions environmental, social and governance. It offers sustainable investment and financing products (e.g. sustainable mortgages or investment funds through its stake in Arete Ethik AG) and, as an employer and training provider, is committed to diversity and social responsibility in the region.

Swissness factor9/10

Company profileValiant Holding AG is the parent company of Valiant Bank AG, an independent Swiss regional bank headquartered in Bern. The bank was formed in 1997 through the merger of three Bernese regional banks and positions itself as a straightforward, easy-to-understand universal bank for private customers and small and medium-sized enterprises. Its historical roots date back to 1824. The business areas include traditional retail banking (accounts, mortgages, savings), SME financing, pensions, investment and asset management. Today, Valiant operates an extensive network of branches and advisory centres throughout Switzerland. The company serves over 380,000 customers with assets under management of around CHF 35 billion. www.valiant.ch

SwissnessValiant is a Swiss regional bank with a federalist structure, formed by the merger of locally rooted banking institutions. Its business model is consistently geared towards the Swiss domestic market, with a dense branch network. The brand stands for straightforward, customer-focused banking services ‘made in Switzerland’.

Animal protection and nature conservationValiant aims to become climate-neutral (net zero) by 2050, with specific interim targets for 2030 for operational and financed emissions in line with TCFD reporting. The bank applies ESG criteria when selecting investments. It publishes an annual combined business and sustainability report.

Swissness factor9/10

Company profileVZ Holding AG is the parent company of the VZ Group (VZ VermögensZentrum), a Swiss financial services provider specialising in independent, fee-based advice in the areas of retirement planning, mortgages, tax, insurance and estate planning. The company deliberately refrains from accepting commissions and kickbacks from product providers and positions itself as an independent client adviser. The VZ Group has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2007 and operates in more than 30 locations. The company serves over 90,000 clients. www.vzch.com

SwissnessThe VZ Group embodies the model developed in Switzerland of independent, fee-based financial advice without the sale of products for commission – a business model closely linked to Switzerland’s commitment to transparency and client focus. Despite international expansion (Germany, UK), Switzerland remains the clearly dominant home market and the origin of the corporate culture, thanks to its dense network of advisers.

Animal protection and nature conservationVZ takes ESG criteria into account when selecting investment products and offers clients targeted sustainable investment solutions (index funds and investment funds with an ESG focus). At the same time, the company takes a critical and educational stance towards ‘greenwashing’ in sustainable investment products and publishes relevant studies for investors. Its in-house, eduQua-certified programme trains over 50 trainees annually, contributing to the social sustainability of its human resources development.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileThe Valais Cantonal Bank (Walliser Kantonalbank, WKB) is a public-law limited company and the leading universal bank in the Canton of Valais. It offers its private and business clients the full range of services expected of a modern, customer-focused universal bank – from accounts and mortgages through investments and pensions, to financing for businesses and the public sector. WKB has a market share of around 25% in the Valais banking market and maintains a presence throughout the Canton of Valais via a dense network of branches. As part of its statutory mandate, it contributes to the balanced and sustainable development of the Valais economy. www.wkb.ch

SwissnessAs a cantonal bank governed by public law, WKB is inextricably linked to the Canton of Valais and its statutory mandate. It focuses on the regional market, supports the local economy (tourism, agriculture, SMEs) and, as one of the canton’s most important employers, forms part of the regional identity.

Animal protection and nature conservationSocial and environmental concerns are an integral part of WKB’s corporate philosophy; the bank has long pursued an active policy of sustainability and corporate responsibility. It regularly publishes a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report in addition to its annual report, focusing on innovation, customer focus and the sustainable development of the Valais economy.

Swissness factor9/10

Company profileThe Weisse Arena Group (WAG) is the main tourism operator for the Flims-Laax-Falera destination in the Surselva region of Graubünden and one of Europe’s best-known freestyle and snowboarding destinations. The group comprises Weisse Arena Bergbahnen AG, which operates 28 transport facilities (cable cars, chairlifts and T-bar lifts); Weisse Arena Hospitality AG, which runs six hotels; Weisse Arena Leisure AG, which operates sports shops, ski schools and hire centres; and the catering division, which comprises 32 bars and restaurants. In 2025, the municipalities of Flims, Laax and Falera took over the cable cars, lifts and mountain restaurants from Weisse Arena. By making this purchase, the municipalities sought to prevent a takeover by a (foreign) investor. www.weissearena.com

SwissnessLaax/Flims/Falera is one of the pioneering destinations for alpine freestyle skiing and snowboarding and has, for decades, shaped the image of the Swiss mountains for a younger, international audience. Its close ties with the three supporting municipalities – which have now even taken over the tourist infrastructure themselves – underline its strong local roots and its cooperative-style sense of responsibility towards the mountain region.

Animal protection and nature conservationFor over 15 years, the Weisse Arena Group has been running the ‘Greenstyle Foundation’, a programme aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and a full supply of regional, climate-friendly energy. The ‘Rocksresort’, with over 1,000 beds, has been recognised on several occasions as the world’s most environmentally sustainable ski hotel. The municipalities’ takeover and modernisation of the infrastructure is also likely to encourage investment in energy-efficient snow-making and transport systems.

Swissness factor10/10

Company profileZermatt Bergbahnen AG operates all the mountain railways around the Matterhorn in Zermatt and is thus responsible for one of the world’s most famous winter sports and summer tourism destinations. Its business is primarily divided into the winter segment (ski slopes with a glacier ski area accessible all year round) and the summer segment (hiking, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise mountain experience with Europe’s highest cable car station). The company also operates catering outlets. Zermatt Bergbahnen AG transports around 1 million passengers every year and invests continuously in the modernisation of its transport facilities and in digital access systems. The company has close ties with the municipality of Zermatt and the Citizens’ Community. www.matterhornparadise.ch

SwissnessZermatt and the Matterhorn are arguably Switzerland’s most photographed and iconic mountain landscape and a global symbol of Swiss Alpine tourism. The shareholder structure, with the Zermatt Citizens’ Community, the Municipality of Zermatt and the BVZ Group as the main shareholders, reflects an ownership structure deeply rooted in the local population, as is typical of many Swiss mountain railways.

Animal protection and nature conservationZermatt Bergbahnen AG invests continuously in environmental projects and is increasingly focusing on photovoltaics in the high-alpine region. The company received the Swiss and European Solar Prize for the solar installation at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise mountain station. Plans are in place for the major “Gletschersolar Matterhorn” project, covering up to 20 hectares with an annual output of 17 GWh. In construction projects such as the new “Matterhorn Glacier Ride II” 3S cable car, care was taken to ensure resource-efficient material transport and an efficient propulsion system.

Swissness factor10/10