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Grisons' high-tech sectors and fields of development

First-class trained skilled workers and researchers work next to each other in the Grisons. Cluster-like networks of research institutes, innovation hubs and high-tech companies are growing up in different regions. The know-how is concentrated in the sectors of life sciences, medical technology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, automation, sensorics, photonics and ICT.

Sensors for the future: Photonics made in the Grisons

It is not possible to imagine daily life without light-based technology solutions. Photonics is one of the key technologies of the 21st century. The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FHGR) shows a pioneering spirit with its photonics laboratory and study course, which is unique in Switzerland. Photonics is one of the focus research topics of the center for innovation and technology transfer (CSEM). It ensures that ground-breaking fundamental research is transferred to advanced processes and products. Thanks to this competency center, light-based technology along the Rhine from Chur to Lake Constance is experiencing an entrepreneurial upswing.

 

The alpine Rhine Valley is developing into a «Photonics Valley» with international radiance. CEDES is also to be found among the Grisons' photonics lighthouses. This innovative company sets global standards with sensor solutions from its own science park located in Landquart. With the German company TRUMPF, based in Baden-Württemberg, one of the largest machine tool manufacturer in the world benefits from Grisons' know-how in laser technology at its location in Grüsch. At the same time, via the INNOZET foundation, TRUMPF provides support for startups in the Grisons. Viega Switzerland, on the other hand, is reshaping the international sanitary market with new sensor technologies from its own innovation and technology center in Chur.

Highly precise professionals: High-tech from Grisons' experts

High-tech products from WITTENSTEIN are sent into space and win F1 grand prix races: This company, specialising in electro-mechanical service drive systems, runs a competency center in Grüsch. The strong technology know-how available in the largest canton of Switzerland was also motivation for Bizerba Busch, the leading company in the field of weighing technology and industrial automation, to establish two global competency centers for filling and transport systems here.

Room for innovation

In the modern infrastructure of the TECHNOPARK Graubünden in Landquart, Grisons' technological innovators find an inspiring expert network and room to develop. In this way, poweersnet makes simple and rapid integration of Charging, Smart City and IoT in daily life possible, while next door, MITHRAS perfects a technical solution, which allows body heat to be used as a sustainable energy source for Smartwatches and other Wearables.

Life sciences prosper in the Grisons

In the Grisons, many experts are active in the fields of medical technology and life sciences – for example the US company Hamilton, the largest industrial employer in the Grisons and leading supplier in the fields of medical technology, laboratory automation, warehousing technology and sensorics, based at Bonaduz and Domat/Ems, or in Zizers at the headquarters of INTEGRA Biosciences, an international top supplier of high-quality and highly accurate laboratory equipment for Life Science research.

 

Other life-sciences companies in the Grisons include InfoRLife of Italy's ACS Dobfar, which produces mainly «ready-to-use» pharmaceutical products for the American market, or Sapa Prodotti Plastici, a company of the US-based Baxter-Group.

 

A formidable network of research institutions and clinics have also become established in the Grisons, including the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI), the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), CK-CARE or the Brain and Trauma Foundation Grisons/Switzerland.

When the chemistry is right

With around 1,000 employees, the EMS Group is one of the largest private employers in the Canton of Grisons. The specialty chemical company generates a major part of its net sales as supplier to the international automotive industry with application-specific polymer developments. Thanks to this tradition-rich Grisons-based major corporation, a wealth of know-how in the field of chemistry and engineering has been concentrated at Domat/Ems for many years.

For more information on the Grisons as a business location, please contact our cantonal business location development team.

 

Economic development and Tourism Agency of the Grisons
Ringstrasse 10
7001 Chur
Switzerland
Phone +41 81 257 23 42 | E-Mail
gr.ch/invest

Invest in the Grisons

Room for big ideas

Working in the Grisons
We shape the future

The Grisons offers a varied selection of employers – whether traditional companies, major corporations or small and medium-sized enterprises. In this regard, we deny the preconception of a sleepy mountain canton and show – rather proudly – the various futuristic projects, which are being worked on in the Grisons. Here, people are tinkering with world-famous technical devices, innovative tool machinery and even robots.

Through the regional online employment market of the Grisons, it is ensured that you don't miss any of the promising chances in the Grisons labor market. Take a look, risk some research – perhaps your dream job is to be found here in the Grisons.

Further information about working in the Grisons