ETH Zurich and University of St.Gallen Launch Manufacturing Alliance to Drive Innovation and Talent Development

ETH Zurich and University of St.Gallen Launch Manufacturing Alliance to Drive Innovation and Talent Development

(IN BRIEF) The University of St.Gallen and ETH Zurich have partnered to establish the “ETH-HSG Manufacturing Alliance,” aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Swiss industry and nurturing young talent. The alliance is supported by 13 leading industrial partners, including Roche, Novartis, and Nestlé, who will contribute CHF 2.1 million over three years. A major feature of the alliance is the creation of the “Circle of Scholars,” a group of doctoral students focused on topics like operational excellence, AI in production, and sustainable practices. These students will collaborate across institutions, providing benefits to all involved partners. The alliance seeks to drive continuous innovation, improve manufacturing processes, and strengthen Switzerland’s industrial leadership. Companies like Nestlé and Johnson & Johnson are already seeing the value of being part of this initiative, which will offer cutting-edge insights and real-world solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZURICH, 3-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of St.Gallen (HSG) and ETH Zurich are joining forces to launch the “ETH-HSG Manufacturing Alliance,” an initiative aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Swiss industry and nurturing the next generation of talent. The partnership combines the expertise of both institutions, fostering fresh research and practical solutions to advance the manufacturing sector in Switzerland.

As part of this collaboration, the alliance has secured the support of 13 prominent industrial partners, including Roche, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Takeda, SHL Medical, Nestlé, Lindt & Sprüngli, Givaudan, Schneider Electric, Schindler, Endress+Hauser Flowtec, VAT Group, and SFS Group. These companies will contribute a total of CHF 2.1 million over the next three years, beginning in January 2025.

One of the key features of the alliance is the creation of the “Circle of Scholars,” a group of six talented doctoral students who will work closely with industry partners on crucial topics such as operational excellence, global production networks, artificial intelligence in production, and sustainable business practices. The students will be employed at either HSG or ETH Zurich, facilitating cross-institutional collaboration and regular exchanges. Unlike traditional doctoral programs, this model allows all partners to benefit from the research conducted by the entire group of scholars.

Professor Thomas Friedli from the University of St.Gallen’s Institute of Technology Management (ITEM-HSG) emphasized the importance of the alliance, stating, “We are creating a platform that not only translates scientific findings into practice but also engages industry partners directly in research. The aim is to foster a continuous dialogue between research and industry, which will ultimately enhance Switzerland’s position as a leader in industrial innovation.”

Prof. Torbjörn Netland from ETH Zurich noted, “What makes this alliance unique is that the doctoral students will tackle real-world challenges from day one, benefiting both industry and young talent alike. For instance, some students will apply artificial intelligence to optimize manufacturing processes within companies.”

The importance of this initiative is underscored by recent findings from the “Swiss Manufacturing Survey 2024,” which reveals that despite challenges, Swiss companies continue to demonstrate confidence in the country’s industrial competitiveness. The 2023 survey also shows a notable trend of companies bringing production back to Switzerland to take advantage of local innovation and stability, highlighting the urgency of strengthening the Swiss manufacturing sector.

The ETH-HSG Manufacturing Alliance is actively inviting companies from various sectors to join this innovative network. Partners will gain access to cutting-edge research, practical solutions, and the opportunity to contribute directly to research projects. Peter Hagmann, head of Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics & Safety at Nestlé, one of the current industrial partners, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with ETH Zurich and HSG, two leading institutions, to enhance our Factory of the Future program and leverage world-class talent.”

Leila Schwery, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations and Engineering at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, added, “Switzerland’s strong academic and industrial capabilities are vital in shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Our partnership with ETH Zurich and HSG through this alliance will advance manufacturing and deliver tangible benefits to patients and society.”

Media Contacts:

University of St.Gallen (HSG)
Prof. Dr Thomas Friedli
Institute of Technology Management (ITEM-HSG)
+41 71 224 72 61
thomas.friedli@unisg.ch
Media Office: +41 71 224 22 25, kommunikation@unisg.ch

ETH Zurich
Prof. Dr. Torbjörn Netland
Chair of Production and Operations Management (POM)
+41 44 632 05 55
tnetland@ethz.ch
Media Office: +41 44 632 41 41, mediarelations@hk.ethz.ch

SOURCE: ETH Zurich

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