World Report

The canton boasts a thriving and diversified economy, as well as a pleasant climate and some stunning scenery

he Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland, Ticino, is the warmest region of the country in more ways than one. Not only is the weather sunnier, the citizens are possessed of the same warmth and Latin temperament.
A pleasant climate, stunning lakeside scenery, a well-educated workforce and the closeness of Milan are all key factors in enabling foreign firms to attract high-calibre employees. In the past decade a substantial and growing hi-tech sector has established itself in the canton, employing around 2,500 people.
The metallurgy and engineering industries rank as the biggest employer, with 7,000 workers, while the textiles and clothing sector employs more than 4,000 people and about 3,000 work in pharmaceuticals. Tourism is also important and food manufacturing also employs several hundred people.

Claudio Camponovo, director of the Ticino Chamber of Commerce, says there is a very diversified economy for a canton of just 350,000 people, of which 165,000 constitute the workforce. The chamber has 800 members, of which 50 are associations, such as those of the banking and construction industries.
He adds that over the past decade many foreign firms have located in Ticino, and the banking sector has grown considerably, particularly Italian banks. Most are located in Lugano, although Chiasso and Locarno are also attracting financial institutions.

LEWIS
‘It is like Amsterdam here, because you have such a blend of cultures’

“We are the third biggest banking centre in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva,” says Mr Camponovo. “All this is due to the fact that we are near Italy, because all these banks are not just for Ticino. They exist for the Italians.
Michael Lewis, general manager of Hawe Neos Dental, says one of the reasons why US company Sybron Dental Specialties decided to take over this Ticino specialist manufacturer of dental products was the well-trained personnel, many of whom are multilingual. “Also, the Italian-Swiss here are much more open and much more cosmopolitan. There has been an influx of German-Swiss and French-Swiss as well, and you hear English wherever you go,” he says. “It is a bit like a little Amsterdam here, because you have such a blend of cultures.
“The biggest market for us in our industry is Germany and the second is Italy. We can reach 95 per cent of the market within 24 hours.” He adds: “Ticino is recognised for attracting investment. There are also tax and financial benefits, and everyone is very helpful.”

Since its takeover last year, Hawe Neos Dental has expanded rapidly. The concrete has been poured for a new extension to the plant at Bioggio, which will open this spring and will nearly double the manufacturing space.
More than 90 per cent of the firm’s output is exported. The biggest challenge is meeting demand, says Mr Lewis. “The initial demand from the US, for example, was for us to produce 1.3 million dental items. After initial tests and sampling, the order came back for 3.9 million items.”
The company has bought another site which could be used to extend the manufacturing space further, or create a distribution centre. It currently employs around 120 people, but Mr Lewis adds this figure is likely to rise to around 165 by the end of next year.