Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/BienneManufacturing the future

Are you active in advanced manufacturing and looking to grow?

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne is uniquely well positioned to support you in your Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing activities. It offers a full range of services for taking your products from idea to market maturity and a high-quality research infrastructure for developing and producing prototypes and small series. The Smart Factory Lab on site includes a demonstration factory for smart manufacturing, as well as space for individual industrial project work. A large industrial area is available in the immediate vicinity of the park for further expansion phases, relocations and spin-offs.

Are you looking for Swiss quality?

Switzerland is one of the world’s leading locations for high-value-added manufacturing: Swiss products and services are universally associated with quality, rel iabil ity and exclusivity. The excellent reputation they enjoy is a clear competitive advantage for manufacturers and service providers, who can position their Swiss made products and services in a higher price segment.

Switzerland, a haven of stability

Switzerland’s financial stability, business-friendly climate, and solid social and political system mean that investors are able to engage in long term activities with complete peace of mind.

Where innovation drives business

Switzerland Innovation

To maintain its place at the forefront of global innovation, Switzerland has launched a network of five innovation parks dedicated to businesses active in R&D. As part of Switzerland Innovation, the Park Biel/Bienne offers companies active in advanced manufacturing first-class premises with expansion potential in the vicinity of top notch higher education institutions. Startups and research projects can benefit from experienced skills in project and corporate management on a temporary or needs-based basis.

Your European hub

Living and working where cultures intersect

Only 40 km from the predominantly German-speaking federal capital of Bern, the high-tech stronghold of Biel/Bienne has a vibrant francophone and germanophone network attractive to companies wishing to conduct business in French and German and be at the crossroads of both the French and German markets. Being based in a multilingual region makes recruiting qualified staff and accessing markets a lot easier.

Fast and easy access

Biel/Bienne is excellently located within the Swiss rail and motorway networks. Four international airports can be reached within 90 minutes. Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne is situated directly at the city’s railway station and will soon have a dedicated highway exit.

• 3,000 m² of office workspace immediately available

• 225 CHF/m2 average price• 1 Smart Factory Lab• 6 3D printers for plastics and

metals• 1 FabLab with 2 Do-It-Yourself 3D

printers• 1 clean room• 15,000 m² of workspace available

in a new building (2017-2018)• 4 international airports in close

proximity• ¼ of Swiss industrial jobs located

in the greater Biel/Bienne region

The place to B

SIP BIEL/BIENNE

ZURICH ✈BASEL ✈

BERN ✈

LAUSANNE

GENEVA ✈

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 2

From Biel/Bienne to… Travelling time

Bern 30 minutes

Bern airport 40 minutes

Geneva airport 1h30

Basel airport 1h00

Zurich airport 1h20

Emmanuel Hannart, CEO, Selectron Systems

“Being located in Biel/Bienne means not only that we can communicate in French, Italian or English, but also that we have a privileged access to the German culture. This is useful when specifying technical solutions which have to be integrated in complex machines, and make them suit to the German habits and culture.” Emmanuel Hannart, CEO, Selectron Systems

Selectron Systems develops and sells automation solutions for rail vehicles. It also provides related services such as engineering, commissioning, technical support, training, and repair.

Worldwide direct and connecting flights are available from Bern airport © Flughafen Bern AG

Your stepping stone to internationalizationA number of leading international companies have already set up operations in the greater Biel/Bienne region, which today boasts the highest density of high-tech companies in Switzerland and is home to ¼ of Swiss industrial jobs. The region is a world capital for watchmaking and precision.

Mechanical and electrical engineering

• Harting – development of electrical and electronic connectors, as well as cable harnesses for networks or machinery, or for power and data application www.harting.com

Biel/Bienne is the biggest bilingual city in Switzerland © Ville de Bienne | Guy Perrenoud

• Feintool – development of fineblanking systems and production of ready-to-install fineblanking and forming components, notably for the automotive industry www.feintool.com

• Balluff HyTech – development and production of miniaturized sensors for industrial automation www.balluff.com

• Haag-Streit – development, manufacturing and marketing of high-precision tools for diagnostic ophthalmology www.haag-streit.com

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 3

Rafael Bottós, CEO, Welle Laser Technology

“One crucial reason for choosing the bilingual city Biel/Bienne was certainly its international quality standard in the precision industry, which has allowed us to become even more competitive and efficient. The central position of the city within Europe and its proximity to the main industrial hubs also played a role in the decision to settle in Biel/Bienne.”Rafael Bottós, CEO, Welle Laser Technology

Welle Laser Technology manufactures high quality laser machines, working mainly in large-scale industry segments with solutions that help optimize the production lines and increase the productivity.

• MPS Micro Precision Systems – development and production of customized micro mechanicals solutions in challenging fields of applications (watch industry, medical and orthopedic instrumentation; defense) www.mpsag.com

• PB Swiss Tools – manufacturing of hand tools and medical instruments www.pbswisstools.com

• Festo – world leader in automation www.festo.com

• Schaublin – manufacturing and distribution of conventional lathes, CNC lathes and vertical machining centers milling www.smsa.ch

• Gleason-Pfauter – machines, tooling, processes, services and technologies needed to produce bevel and cylindrical gears www.gleason.com

• GF AgieCharmilles – leading provider of machines, automation solutions and services to the tool and mold making industry and to manufacturers of precision components www.gfms.com

• Tornos – manufacture of machines designed to produce parts requiring extreme precision and quality www.tornos.com

The Ypsomed Group is a leading developer and manufacturer of injection systems for self-medication

• Studer – development and manufacture of precision cylindrical grinding machines; a competence center in internal cylindrical grinding is located in Biel/Bienne www.studer.com

• Sonceboz – design and production of electric actuators www.sonceboz.com

Life Sciences

• Ypsomed – development and production of custom-made injection systems www.ypsomed.com

• CSL Behring – development, manufacturing and marketing of protein-based therapies www.cslbehring.com

• Ziemer Group – surgical and diagnostic tools in the field of ophthalmology www.ziemergroup.com

High-tech fellow tenantsBy setting up at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne, you would thrive alongside the following companies:

• ETEL With the largest direct drive motor range available on the market, ETEL provides solutions ranging from high-end motion systems with nanometer precision, to industrial applications requiring high torque/force www.etel.ch

• ESPI Development and production of technical

solutions to facilitate the quick and flexible measurement of mechanical parts www.espi.fr

• evolaris A collaboration between the Bern University of Applied Sciences and aircraft manufacturer MSW Aviation, evolaris is building the world’s first electronically powered aerobatic plane www.evolaris.net

• Bozzio Development and production of safety-related electronic applications www.bozzio.ch

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 4

• acquisition of a large office and production facility

• relocation of its assembly activities from Ticino

• 160 new jobs

• building of a new manufacturing facility

• investment of 100 million francs

• relocation of 460 jobs

Recent investments in Biel/Bienne

Balluff HyTech’s new facility

Swatch

Georg Fischer

Balluff HyTech

• investment and relocation of 70 employees to its new facility in the greater Biel/Bienne region

• over 25 high-skilled new jobs

• center of excellence for miniature sensor technology

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne...

• Promotes contacts with universities and research institutes

• Brings together like-minded people• Provides world-class infrastructure

and facilities for industrial companies

• Facilitates connections through national and international networks

• Next Generation Flight Training An innovator in the European helicopter industry, NGFT offers customized solutions in the areas of consulting, training and simulation www.ngft.com

• SonoView R&D service company specialized in acoustic technologies for medical, seismic and industrial imaging and audio applications www.sono-view.com

• SwiSS-9 EMPA spin-off active in the development of solutions for the nano-coatings of surfaces www.swiss-9.com

• Biomech Innovations Development of an innovative system for the treatment of secondary fractures

• Mysins Development of a software allowing customers to detect any health problems at an early stage, and to implement preventive measures

External appearance of the future GF building

The building acquired by Swatch in Biel/Bienne

Be part of a top-end ecosystemSwitzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne supports innovation and research in the fields of advanced manufacturing technologies, energy storage and medical technology. The research focus on advanced manufacturing technologies includes the new generative production process, with a focus on metallic materials and their processes (metallic 3D printing or additive manufacturing).

If you are interested in one of the following sectors, don’t miss the chance to be part

of a new hub for innovation and boost the development of your company.

• Additive and precision manufacturing

• Smart manufacturing

• Robotics and adaptive automation

• Next generation electronics

• Design and management of distributed supply chains

• Software development

• Green sustainable manufacturing

joysteer® is an electronic driving system for people with severe physical disabilities © Bozzio AG

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 5

Areas of focus of Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne

3D printing • Optimization of components,

processes and machine parts• Development of software solutions

for the Additive Manufacturing range

• Configuring concepts for future Additive Manufacturing machines

Industry 4.0• Smart Factory Lab: real processes

of industrial partners are developed, optimized, networked, programmed in a 1:1 model and then transferred to the customer

Get access to the brightest minds

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne is located within close proximity to worldwide top-ranked Swiss research and educational institutions, allowing your business to benefit from one of the best scientific and academic environments in the world.

BFH-TI – Bern University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology 2 km Medical, industrial and energy technologies www.ti.bfh.ch

HE-Arc – Haute École Arc 30 km Industrial design engineering, microtechnology www.he-arc.ch

University of Bern 40 km Institute for Applied Physics, Department for Laser Physics, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research www.unibe.ch

Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)

The BFH performs applied research and development in market-oriented key areas and in close collaboration with companies and institutions. In 2014, more than 480 large research projects were carried out.

Biel/Bienne Campus

Over the next few years, the BFH will concentrate its technical disciplines in the new Biel/Bienne campus right next to the main station and to Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne. This site will constitute an innovative high-tech center of excellence for automotive engineering, energy systems, electrical engineering, communications, IT, machine engineering, medical informatics, micro and medical technology and building and architecture.

The current main building of the Bern University of Applied Sciences – Engineering and Information Technology in Biel/Bienne © Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH

EMPA – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology 65 km Metallurgy and metal powder research www.empa.ch

BBME – Bern Biomedical Engineering Network Various locations It includes over 500 clinicians and researchers from around 60 teams from different institutions www.bbme.ch

CSEM – Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology 30 km Microelectronics and energy technology www.csem.ch

EPFL – Federal Institutes of Technology Lausanne 100 km Electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, microengineering, computer and communication sciences www.epfl.ch

HEIA-FR – School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg 50 km Civil engineering, chemistry, computer science, telecommunications, electrical and mechanical engineering www.heia-fr.ch

HEG – Haute École de Gestion Arc 30 km Business administration, marketing management www.he-arc.ch/gestion

ETH – Federal Institutes of Technology Zurich 115 km Industrial processes, new materials, information processing, health, energy www.ethz.ch

The Institute for Applied Physics of the University of Bern © Universität Bern, Kommunikation & Marketing

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 6

Current building New building (as of 2019)

Rental space for clients 1,700 m2 approx. 4,000 m2

Training rooms - approx. 2,000 m2

Rental space for extensions - approx. 1,000 m2

Coworking space 250 m2 approx. 500 m2

Laboratories 500 m2 approx. 2,500 m2

Smart Factory Lab approx. 500 m2 approx. 1,000 m2

Auditorium 100 m2 approx. 200 m2

Cafeteria 100 m2 approx. 500 m2

Technical / Conference rooms 500 m2 approx. 1,300 m2

Garage - approx. 80 car parking spaces

Current building of Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne

New building (15,000 m2) in the direct vicinity of the new BFH-TI campus and Biel/Bienne’s main station

New BFH-TI campus building

Possible extensions of up to 100,000 m2 of gross floor area, reachable within a 3 minute walk

Plug and play

Everything you need to get your business up and running is already on site. A new building with a floor space of approximately 15,000 m2 will be built in 2017-2018.

Offices and facilities

If you are a startup or a young company looking to drive your innovative ideas forward in an inspiring environment, the coworking space is a perfect solution for you. Rent a desk for as little as 300 Swiss francs per month, and get three months free on a one-year rental. If you need an individual office, prices range from 200 to 250 francs per square meter per year, depending on the agreed services and conditions.

The coworking space is designed specifically for startups and young companies

Two Selective Laser Melting systems SLM 250 HL are available on site

The FabLab is intended for the production of single pieces

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 7

Current building New building (as of 2019)

Equipment

Electronics 150 m2 200 m2 various measuring equipment, electronic parts

Electronics Rapid Prototyping external 300 m2 tin printer, SMD-Placer, N-Reflow soldering system

Software development 50 m2 100 m2 PCs, emulators

Mechanics 100 m2 500 m2 CAD/CAM, CNC machines, lathes, round / flat and grinding machines, presses, measuring machines

Optics / Laser - 200 m2

3D Rapid Prototyping laboratory

150 m2 300 m2 various ABS and metal 3D printer

Clean room class 7Electronics / Mechanics

30 m2 75 m2 UV, DL, N, W, workplaces, tools, packaging, processing machines, dust extraction

Reserve rooms for projects - 550 m2

Six additional clean rooms of different classes will be available in the new building as of 2019.

We support your innovative ideas

Depending on your project and its potential for added value, in particular in terms of job creation, technology and investment, you may be granted financial assistance or tax relief:• Tax relief for a maximum period of

10 years (two periods of 5 years) at municipal and cantonal level

• Non-repayable contribution to startups: up to 100,000 Swiss francs

Laboratories, clean rooms and equipment

DL clean compressed air UV 380 V / 40 Amp.N nitrogen connection W water / waste water

• Non-repayable investment grant: up to 200,000 Swiss francs can be allocated by the Bern Economic Development Agency; for larger amounts, a decision is made by the Minister of Economic Affairs

• Interest-free or low-interest loans

In addition to these cantonal and municipal grants, innovative business ideas may receive financial support through the Foundation for Technological Innovation (STI) and the

Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI), and are also competently coached and linked with partners through the network. STI provides financial support to individuals who are setting up startups with technological innovations and economic potential in the form of an interest-free repayable loan. CTI provides funding for market-oriented R&D projects carried out jointly by firms and universities, as well as for the creation and development of science-based companies.

The electronics laboratory is equipped with the latest CAD system, manual and automatic soldering points, a pool of measuring equipment and repair workplaces

A milling machine at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne 8

Greater Geneva Bern areaAv. de Gratta-Paille 2, PO Box 252 1000 Lausanne 22 – Switzerland

Tel. +41 21 644 00 90

Carmen Fankhauser, Deputy Directorc.fankhauser@ggba-switzerland.ch

www.ggba-switzerland.ch

Sandy beach along Lake Biel/Bienne © Ville de Bienne | Juan-Luis Konitzer

Fantastic quality of life

Switzerland is well known for its natural beauty and high standard of living, and the region surrounding Biel/Bienne is no exception. It offers an environment in which work, leisure and family life can be balanced in perfect harmony. High-quality infrastructures, stunning scenery and affordable housing make it a great place to live. Swiss public and private schools have a well-deserved reputation for excellence. In Biel/Bienne, children start to learn French and German at day-care centers and day schools. Children of expatriate employees can be taught in their native language or receive an

international education at one of the region’s many international schools.

You will feel at home

Unsurprisingly, Switzerland is a favorite destination amongst expatriates: one in four people living in the country does not have a Swiss passport. Foreign companies and workers make a significant contribution to Switzerland’s prosperity. Its linguistic and cultural diversity coupled with the high concentration of foreign residents make Switzerland a country of tolerance and openness.

The Ring is Biel/Bienne’s oldest square © Tourisme Bienne-Seeland | Stefan Weber

Save the date• Swiss Medtech Day | 7 June 2016 |

Kursaal Bern Join the largest and most important event of the Swiss medtech industry. Participants from the fields of research, production, distribution and services receive information on trends, interesting projects and new products. www.swissmedtechday.ch

• 3D Industrial Printing | 8 June 2016 | Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne Come take a close look at your future location and exchange views on 3D industrial printing. The event is held in German.

• Sindex | 6-8 September 2016 | Bern Discover automation in all its forms at Switzerland’s largest event dedicated to industrial automation. www.sindex.ch

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