Goodbye 2022.

Christmas is near - we say thank you and goodbye 2022

As every year, the Christmas decorations started very early. The mild and beautiful autumn weather, which still lured us on sunny walks and long hikes in the mountains in November, didn’t really help us get into the festive mood. Now, however, Christmas is just around the corner, and it is time for us to say goodbye to a successful, albeit challenging, 2022.

Review 2022

In 2022, we were able to realise wonderful and sometimes challenging projects together with our customers, as you could read in our blogs throughout the year. In addition, we have continuously supplemented our website with interesting information about innovations and our great passion, the processing of solid wood. New acquisitions and succession arrangements were made, and we can now look back on a successful, albeit once again challenging, year.

New acquisitions and developments

One of the biggest projects in 2022 was to replace the existing extraction and filter system with a new, state-of-the-art system. This complies with current fire and explosion regulations, is more energy efficient and protects the health of our employees even better than before thanks to its improved extraction performance.

Thanks to our ongoing commitment to occupational health and safety, we fortunately had very few absences due to minor accidents and illnesses. We have also invested in two new cutting machines (cross-cut saw and longitudinal saw), which can be put into operation at the beginning of 2023.

In the field of CNC, we conducted a complete refit of the electronic and some mechanical components on the CR 27 1 Tandem machine.

Our machines are built to last and are therefore worth a general revision of this kind and ensure the high precision often required for the future.

In addition, many hours were spent on the introduction and further development of our Lean Management. After about one and a half years, the results are encouraging. This motivates us to continue working intensively in the coming year to use resources sensibly and to be able to increase productivity with consistently high quality. Another milestone was the sale of our subsidiary WEKOS AG, which can now realise its full potential under new management.

Challenges and opportunities

Challenges were once again great in 2022. For one thing, we had to cope with the increase in wood prices, especially for the popular and most common wood species such as oak and American walnut. The effects of the pandemic also remained palpable. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, inflation, energy price increases and the resulting consequences are presenting many KMUs with massive challenges.

Leadership qualities are more important than ever to stay on track and to recognise and avoid difficulties in time. However, difficult times also always offer opportunities. We gather useful experiences and are challenged to think and act outside the box.

Here is to a good and successful 2023

Price developments in all sectors and global events will certainly keep us on our toes in 2023 and pose new challenges. We are required to face them, to remain flexible and to recognise opportunities. We look forward to realising new and interesting projects together with you, our esteemed customers, partners, and employees. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent cooperation and wish you and your families a wonderful festive season and all the best and much success for the coming year.

Thomas von Rickenbach
Owner and Managing Director

Attractive worktime schemes at vonrickenbach.swiss ag.

14 out of 33 employees work part-time at vonrickenbach.swiss ag.

vonrickenbach.swiss ag in Muotathal SZ has offered the possibility of part-time work for over 30 years. This is very popular with employees. Thomas von Rickenbach, owner and managing director of vonrickenbach.swiss ag, knows that not only the employees benefit from this, but also the company.

Part-time working time model

Flexible working hours and a reduction in working time allow employees to reconcile work and family life or to spend more time on extra-curricular activities. However, it is not only the employees who benefit from this, but also the employers. For employers, the advantages are not just that productivity and motivation are often higher because of part-time employment, but that it can also be variably adapted to the needs of the company and the employees and can be used to cover off-peak times or peaks in workload.

Part-time employees a well-proven concept since 30 years

Around one third of our employees at vonrickenbach.swiss ag work part-time. We have been using the part-time working model for over 30 years. Even back then, we had employees who worked part-time for us in addition to their jobs, especially in agriculture. Particularly in the busy summer months, farmers were dependent on smaller working hours. The subject of part-time work was intensified a good seven years ago when we received an order from Victorinox that required large numbers of wooden knife handles be manually fine ground and oiled. To ensure that not just one person was responsible for this repetitive and time-consuming work, we divided the work among several people.

Today, five employees work for such or similar jobs with a workload of 10 to 20 per cent on variable working days and hourly wages. In production, two people work 80 per cent, one 90 per cent and one irregularly 30 to 40 per cent.
But part-time employees are not only found in production, but also in other departments such as planning and administration. For family reasons, one of our project managers is employed at 80 per cent and works one day from his home office. If this possibility did not exist, we might have lost him as a valuable employee. In the administration office, two staff members share the tasks of accounting and human resources at 40 and 50 per cent each.

Home office and flexitime

In addition to the part-time working model, we also offer home office and flexible working hours. Even before Corona, we optimised our computer infrastructure for home office use. During the pandemic we could benefit from the fact that these structures were already in place. Today, the barrier to work from home has been lowered as a result. Two years ago, we also introduced flexible working hours.

In the morning, everyone starts at the same time, but lunchtime and closing time can be freely chosen within fixed time windows. For example, if someone only takes a short lunch break, they can leave work earlier in the evening. In doing so, we have met the need of employees who have longer working commutes and who can thus reduce transfer times. However, this flexibility in working hours requires good communication among employees so that teams still function, and productivity is not affected.

Challenges for companies

Pros and cons of part-time work

Part-time work does not only have advantages for the employer. First, part-time work results in additional expenses due to an increase in personnel costs, administrative expenses, and workplace costs. Managing two half-time employees is more time-consuming than managing one full-time employee. Also, the effort for coordination and communication is much higher and more complicated. It is important to keep all part-time employees informed about important events in the company so that they are always on the same page as the full-time employees.

The positive aspects outweigh the negative

Although the cost of employing part-time staff increases, the positive aspects of this working time model outweigh the negative and enable us to position ourselves well in a competitive market. A large part of our funds is regularly spent on the renewal of machinery and infrastructure. Administrative expenses and personnel costs must therefore be kept as low as possible, as well as the expenses for production planning and actual production. We can handle peaks in orders on time by increasing the number of employees who are employed on a part-time basis. Thanks to this flexibility, we can do without expensive temporary staff. In addition, thanks to flexible working hours, we can extend machine utilisation.

Contemporary employer

vonrickenbach.swiss ag is an innovative and modern employer that can respond to the needs of applicants and existing employees. The desire for more flexibility is not always just about having more free time for hobbies, but also to be more involved in the family.

The role image of men and women has changed a lot in recent years and will change further, also in rural regions. More women would like to work, and men wish to spend more time with their children.

vonrickenbach.swiss ag – a family business

vonrickenbach.swiss ag is a family-owned company with around 30 well-qualified employees. It is our aim to keep up with the constant changes in the working environment to remain successful in the market and to offer talented, highly motivated employees a modern environment in which they can develop their skills.

Thomas von Rickenbach
Owner and Managing Director

Here you may read Thomas von Rickenbach’s interview with the Schreinerzeitung about working time models (German)

schreinerzeitung.ch

Together on the Way.

All on Board.

Strong values and high expectations of ourselves are a long-standing tradition in our over 100-year-old family business . The last two years proved how important and right it is to live these values, but also to be open to changes. The past year was therefore dedicated to the vonrickenbach.swiss ag STRATEGY 2030. For this purpose, an all-day strategy workshop was developed with an external partner, in which all employees were asked to actively contribute to the implementation of the VRS STRATEGY 2030.

Prepared for a challenging future

At vonrickenbach.swiss ag, permanent strategic dialogue, established communications and regular validation and revision of the strategy are integral parts of entrepreneurial practice. With the VRS Strategy 2030, we want to ensure that every employee knows what corporate strategy means. The future intentions and visions as well as the main focus of vonrickenbach.swiss ag are clear and every employee can actively contribute to a successful strategy implementation.

Successful teamwork

Since the implementation of the strategy course, almost half a year has passed, and positive changes have already become noticeable. These include the improvement of communication channels, the introduction of quality bonuses, the organisation of workplaces and the revision of the CRM system, to name but a few. We wanted to know from our employees how they experienced this strategy workshop and what they learned from it.

the team

Stefanie Brand, Head of Personnel and Administration

In conversation with our employees

Thomas von Rickenbach (TVR): Stefanie, you designed the item “target setting” in the strategy course and personally presented it to the team (in small groups) several times. How was this for you as an experience?

SB: Beforehand, we revised the process and the topic of target setting and thus presented the new contents. I found it exciting to work out together with the employees how they themselves can actively contribute to the success of the company by pursuing their own goals. In doing so, I am hopeful that I was able to show them in an understandable way that every single measure and goal of theirs contributes to the company achieving its goals and thus implementing its strategy (according to the motto: big goals are achieved by taking many small steps).

TVR: You also had an insight into all the other stations of the strategy course (a total of 8 stations). How did you experience our employees?

SB: The employees seemed very interested and impressed. I think they appreciated that we got them on board and made the effort of such a workshop. We are aware that the further development of the company can only be implemented if the employees support the strategy and understand it. Because only those who understand why it is important to adapt to the changes around the company are also willing to get out of their own comfort zone and go the extra mile.

TVR: What has changed in the meantime from your point of view – where do you see the greatest potential for development from an HR perspective?

SB: I hear from various sides that communication has improved. Measures such as regular briefings or the introduction of the CIP board help to react to employees’ contributions in a timelier manner. When employees realise that they are taken seriously and that suggestions are implemented, satisfaction and motivation increase. When employees experience themselves as an important part of the company, they are more willing to take responsibility for their own actions, to think for themselves and to actively participate. Knowing that we are all pulling in the same direction increases the sense of belonging and identification with the company. These are the best conditions for achieving great goals.

Harald Binder, Production Manager

In conversation with our employees

TVR: Harald, how did you personally prepare for your presentation in the SWOT analysis section of the strategy course?

HB: First of all, it was interesting for me to find out what is meant by SWOT analysis. All I could find on the internet at first was general information. The difficulty for me was to work out the basics for the presentation, which we could then also use in the long term. We had two test presentations during which a lot of things were discarded and developed by the feedback of fellow colleagues to become a usable basis.

TVR: What insights did you gain from this one-day workshop? Were there any “aha” moments?

HB: The preparations beforehand were challenging, but the result clearly compensated for the effort.

TVR: From your point of view, what has changed since the presentation of the Strategy 2030 (to the entire VRS team)? Are the employees motivated to implement the measures you presented?

HB: We have improved a lot as a team. One can see that we were able to expand our knowledge through the workshop and incorporate this into our daily work. Through the lean management, we are also working on our processes within the production and constantly improving them. It is important to stick to it.

TVR: What potential for change have you already been able to personally address as production manager? Have you already succeeded in simplifying the daily work, making the operation more efficient and gaining resources for leadership tasks?

HB: I was able to delegate some of the tasks that I used to handle myself. This has given me the time I need for upcoming projects. However, additional resources are needed to tackle further leadership tasks. Again, it is important to persist.

Adi Rüegg, Internship

In conversation with our employees

TVR: Adi, during your eleven-month internship you were able to make significant contributions to the implementation of lean management. After this experience, what would you advise another company that is also implementing Lean Management?

AR: I would advise a company that wants to implement Lean Management to ask itself three basic questions. First, what is the purpose of lean management in the company? Secondly, what is our vision and thirdly, what measures or tools do we want to use to achieve this goal? As beneficial as Lean Management can be, as complex it is. A company must be clearly aware that lean management is an ongoing process that must be supported one hundred percent by all managers. Only in doing so will it be possible to bring the most valuable asset of a company, the employees, on board.

TVR: In retrospect, what would you do differently in terms of lean management? Would you necessarily handle it in the same way?

AR: Being more patient and giving employees time to understand what this topic is about, but also giving them enough time and space so that they can adjust and adapt to the new direction in addition to their daily work. In retrospect, I would put more focus on recurring instructions, requests, and explanations. I would immediately investigate even better rule communication.

TVR: What is your opinion about the future lean management potential of VRS?

AR: I see great potential that Lean Management can exploit in the future. Many employees now understand the mechanism and actively contribute by making useful inputs. When the same energy is put into “Lean Management”, a self-dynamic will emerge. The operating processes become even better, the production area is used more efficiently, and the employees come to work even more motivated. This in turn will also become noticeable to the already loyal clientele.

Thomas von Rickenbach, Managing Director/Owner

For me as CEO and owner of vonrickenbach.swiss ag, it is important that every employee is familiar with the core elements of the Strategy 2030, knows what our next strategic steps are and what contributions they can provide to the implementation of the strategy.

During the workshop, I realised that many of the employees did not really know what values our company upholds. What goals we are pursuing in the medium and long term and what our and my personal motivation is to achieve them. I was even more pleased that most of the employees participated in the workshop with great interest and engagement. Interesting questions were asked, suggestions and proposals were made, but also critical comments were raised. The openness of the people surprised me, but at the same time made me realise that no one in our company must hide but is allowed to voice constructive criticism without fear of consequences.

Personally, one measure has always been very important to me, and that is communication within the company. Of course, we knew that we had potential for improvement in this field, but the workshop confirmed this once again in a tangible way. Since then, we have been working intensively on this measure, because there is still room for improvement in almost all areas of the company.

Another important step we need to take is to increase the flexibility of our employees. In today’s so-called VUCA world, where companies must adapt to constantly changing conditions, especially in the age of digitalisation and where leaders must react quickly if they want to continue to be successful. This means, for example, that companies must eliminate outdated leadership methods as quickly as possible and adjust them to the new environment. That is why it is important, among other things, that employees remain flexible and can also be deployed flexibly. We also want to work on our attractiveness as an employer. Our goal must be to be able to hire very well qualified people and to make sure that they remain with the company, ideally for many years. Because the best technology in the company is of no use if it cannot be used properly due to a lack of skilled workers.

In recent years, the focus of improvements has been directed more externally. In the coming years, we will also strive to further improve operations and processes internally. Topics such as digitalisation, lean management, and the workshop of the future will play a major role in this.

As an employer, it makes me proud to feel that our employees care about the well-being of the company. That they stand together in times of crisis and when needed they are prepared to contribute extra effort. I am convinced that we can still achieve a lot with a motivated team.

With Joy and Confidence into 2022

In the coming year 2022, vonrickenbach.swiss ag will consistently pursue its corporate strategy, share with you our passion for solid wood, and gladly go the extra mile for you. We look forward to new challenging projects.

Thank you very much for your loyalty, partnership and the inspiring cooperation that motivates us and makes us what we are. We wish you merry and relaxing holidays with your families and all the best, happiness, and health for the New Year.

Thomas von Rickenbach

Handicraft professions with a future.

The carpenter.

The carpenter

A career with a future

The profession of a carpenter has long since ceased to be a “dusty” craft. Digital technology has also made its way into our profession for a long time and has an accordingly high value in carpentry apprenticeships. At vonrickenbach.swiss ag, an apprentice learns both the basics of computer-aided drawing and design with CAD software, programming technology and the machining of complex shapes and special materials with our large, state-of-the-art CNC machines , but also the old craft with conventional tools. Today, many things can be produced with ultra-modern technology, but for many carpentry jobs it still requires the well-proven work by hand. vonrickenbach.swiss ag is a proud apprenticing company and is happy to pass on its passion for working with solid wood to the next generation.

The carpentry profession from a close perspective

Carpenters make furniture, carry out interior finishing work, manufacture construction elements and install them, build skis and many other things made of the natural material wood. They cut, saw, plane, drill, mill, sand, stain, or varnish either with tools by hand or on large stationary machines and computer-controlled CNC machining centres. They also take customer requests, design, and create or work from customer plans. They draw up sketches and detailed plans by hand or with the help of CAD programs. Carpenters plan material orders, individual work steps and calculate cost estimates. There are even carpenters who oversee and coordinate an entire renovation project.

Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship to become an EFZ carpenter lasts four years, usually in a carpenter’s workshop or in a trainee’s workplace. The apprentices attend vocational school one day a week. If they perform very well at school, they can attend professional baccalaureate school during their basic training.

Requirements

The requirements for an aspiring carpenter are definitely the pleasure of working with the natural material wood. But also, manual skills, technical understanding, good three-dimensional imagination, drawing skills, logical thinking, and a precise way of working. In addition, physical agility, a sense of aesthetics and good robust health.

Advanced education

Technical and vocational schools as well as the Association of Swiss Master Carpenters and Furniture Makers (VSSM) offer various courses. If you want to continue your education, you can take a higher professional examination to become a master carpenter or attend higher professional schools and obtain diplomas as Dipl. Techniker/in HF Holztechnik, Bachelor of Science in wood technology or interior design and many others. Well-known schools for this are, for example, the Bern University of Applied Sciences with the Department of Architecture, Wood and Construction, the Bürgenstock University of Applied Sciences or the University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Design in Zug.

The apprentices at vonrickenbach.swiss ag

vonrickenbach.swiss ag has been a proud apprenticing company for many years. We are very dedicated to passing on our knowledge and our great passion for the processing of solid wood to the next generation and to prepare the apprentices in the best possible way for their professional life after their apprenticeship. We currently employ one apprentice in the 1st year of his apprenticeship.

Siro Rüttimann

in training as a carpenter EFZ

Siro Rüttimann (SR) is our 1st year apprentice carpenter and has been working in our company for 7 weeks now. He provides a brief insight into his daily work routine below.

Thomas von Rickenbach (TVR): Siro, when and why did you decide to become a carpenter?

SR: My father also trained as a carpenter, so I was always interested in this profession. In secondary school I went on a trial apprenticeship and after that it was obvious to me that I wanted to become a carpenter.

TVR: What made you decide to start your apprenticeship with us?

SR: Actually, it was a coincidence: I was looking for an apprenticeship in my second year of secondary school and found out through a friend that you still had a carpenter apprenticeship available. I was then allowed to do a trial apprenticeship and applied straight away and luckily got the opportunity to work here.

TVR: What fascinates you most about being a carpenter?

SR: What fascinates me most is working with wood. I have always been interested in and inspired by the different types of wood. In addition, I can put my ideas into practice creatively.

TVR: What kind of work can you already accomplish on your own and what kind of work do you like best so far and why?

SR: I have been here for seven weeks now and for a good three weeks I receive my orders in the morning and in most cases I can accomplish them independently already. So far, I like all the work, but I really like working on the big machines.

TVR: Do you already have plans after your apprenticeship?

SR: At this point, I am still uncertain whether to further my education as a carpenter or to do a second apprenticeship as a timberman. Fortunately, I still have some time before I must decide.

We wish Siro all the best with his apprenticeship and are pleased that he is part of the vonrickenbach.swiss ag team.

Simon Bachmann

Successful in professional life

In recent years, apprentices have come and gone after successful training to gain experience in other companies. One of them is Simon Bachmann (SB). Simon graduated as a carpenter EFZ from our company about six years ago and has been working for a small carpentry company ever since. We wanted to know from Simon how he experienced the carpentry apprenticeship with us back then and what his future looks like now.

TVR: Simon, a good six years ago you left our company after successfully passing your final apprenticeship examination. Why did you choose the profession of carpenter back then?

SB: I knew since kindergarten that I wanted to become a carpenter. My father is also a trained carpenter, we often did crafts together. There was even a workbench in our kitchen. So, becoming a carpenter was a “boyhood dream” for me that came true.

TVR: How did you experience the apprenticeship at the time and how did it prepare you for your current professional life?

SB: I had a very good time during my apprenticeship. I would describe vonrickenbach.swiss ag as a model apprenticeship company. We as apprentices were allowed to do a lot of tasks independently and our work was very much appreciated. After the apprenticeship, I was well prepared for my future career.

TVR: Have you ever regretted this career choice?

SB: No, never, I would do it again in an instant!

TVR: What have you done in the last few years as a trained carpenter?

SB: I’ve been working in the job for a good six years, and in the meantime, I’ve been constantly improving my skills. Last year I completed the production specialist in VSSM at the ibW Höhere Fachschule Südostschweiz. I am currently in further training to become a project manager in carpentry, which I will complete in October 2022.

TVR: Is there anything you would like to pass on to our apprentices?

SB: I recommend that they continually improve their skills and continue their education after completing their apprenticeship.

Thank you, Simon, for the interesting insight, we wish you continued success and good luck.

Passionate about teaching

vonrickenbach.swiss ag is a family-owned company with around 30 qualified employees. Procuring and processing solid wood is our great passion and has been for generations. We are proud to be an apprentice company for future carpenters. It is important to us to pass on our passion for solid wood and our great knowledge in the processing of this noble material to young people, so that our profession will endure for generations to come.

Thomas von Rickenbach

Wood brings a homely feel to bathrooms.

Wood makes bathrooms homely. The natural material wood provides visual warmth and enhances every bathroom. On behalf of Wilhelm Schmidlin AG in Oberarth, we were commissioned to produce two stylish bathroom accessories made of solid wood for the modern bathroom.

Wilhelm Schmidlin AG

For more than 70 years, the Swiss bathroom manufacturer Schmidlin has been producing first-class products made of glazed titanium steel. With around 90 employees at its production site in Oberarth (SZ), the innovative, owner-managed industrial company manufactures bathtubs, shower trays, shower surfaces, washbasins, urinals, kitchen splashbacks and whiteboards in great variety and proven quality. We are very pleased to have been commissioned by Schmidlin to produce two stylish bathroom accessories made of solid wood. The two accessories were designed by industrial designer Björn Ischi exclusively for Schmidlin, enhance every bathroom, are also practical and give the room more warmth thanks to the wood.

Holz im Bad

Wood in the bathroom can basically be used everywhere except in the shower. Splashing water is usually not a problem, especially as it dries again quickly with good ventilation. Standing water in the form of puddles should be avoided, however. However, the surface treatment and care of the wood are important. Water-repellent oils have proven to be the best protection, but must be reapplied every one to two years depending on wear. Domestic species such as oak and walnut are well suited for damp rooms.

Since the two accessories to be produced will be exposed to large fluctuations in temperature and humidity, a type of wood was chosen that can best withstand both factors. In addition, nothing was deliberately glued, which was possible due to the dimensions, as this could in turn lead to weak points.

Swiss Label

Holz macht Bäder wohnlich. Der natürliche Werkstoff Holz sorgt für optische Wärme und wertet jedes Badezimmer auf. Im Auftrag der Wilhelm Schmidlin AG in Oberarth durften wir zwei stylische Bad-Accessoires aus Massivholz für das moderne Badezimmer produzieren.

Stylish accessories for the bathroom

The bathroom is becoming more and more modern, homely, and even replaces a frequent visit to a spa. This trend change has not gone unnoticed by Schmidlin AG. The sole Swiss manufacturer of bathroom products such as bathtubs, shower trays, washbasins and many other products made of glazed titanium steel therefore decided to expand its range with two more stylish ELEMENT wooden accessories.

Swiss Made

Both Schmidlin AG and vonrickenbach.swiss ag are committed to Swiss Made. In addition to their high-quality standards, it was therefore important for Schmidlin to be close to the manufacturer. Their products were to be produced locally and from solid Swiss wood.

Swiss Label

SOLID OAK WOOD

Both accessories, a modern bathtub tray and a round tray for the washbasin, are made of solid oak. Oak is very suitable for wet areas and is also durable. Both products were cut by us to the given specifications, provided with the necessary cut-outs by means of our modern Five AXIS CNC MACHINE, sanded by hand and finally oiled.

Der richtige Partner

Also worth mentioning are the magnets that are retrofitted by Schmidlin underneath the two products. These special magnets, which are not problematic for steel bathtubs, prevent the shelves and their contents from slipping or falling down.

Anyone who likes to make themselves comfortable in the bathtub with reading or entertainment is perfectly served by the magnetic BATHTUB TRAY. With its milled grooves, the product offers a secure hold for the tablet as well as space for two drinks. The Schmidlin ELEMENT bath tray is available in two lengths: 75 cm and 90 cm. Suitable for bathtubs made of glazed titanium steel.

The right partner

This magnetic tray is the ideal place for everything that easily gets lost or falls into the water, such as earrings, necklaces, and rings. The tray is oiled to make it water-repellent. Suitable for a wide range of washbasins and bathtubs made from glazed titanium steel.

THE RIGHT PARTNER

FOR THE PERFECT PRODUCTS

We were able to accompany and support Schmidlin in their development process from the very beginning. Starting with the evaluation of the first digital drafts, through prototype production to the final series. Our know-how and flexibility were in demand. Our strength in CNC milling of solid wood was shown in the low amount of finishing work, such as sanding and plastering, which in turn had a positive effect on the costs.

We are the specialists for SOLID WOOD WORKING. With our 5-axis CNC MACHINES, the 10-spindle planing machine, a modern panel press and the latest laser technology, almost no wishes remain unfulfilled.

We thank SCHMIDLIN for this exciting order and wish them continued success.

Gerne informieren wir Sie an dieser Stelle, dass unsere Firma infolge Betriebsferien und Revisionsarbeiten an unserem Maschinenpark vom 26.7. bis 13.8.2021 geschlossen bleibt.

Wir wünschen Ihnen einen wunderbaren, erholsamen Sommer!

Thomas von Rickenbach

Social responsibility.

Create prospects.

”It has always been a major concern to our family to give people with health restrictions or special needs a chance to find their way back into everyday working life.”
– Thomas von Rickenbach

The aim of NETZWERK ARBEIT KANTON SCHWYZ is to reintegrate people with health restrictions into working life. Together with the Schwyz IV office, the organisation supports interested companies in reintegrating and dealing with these employees in a reintegration programme. We at vonrickenbach.swiss are one of many companies participating in this programme. We want to take on SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY and thus offer new perspectives to those affected.

WHAT DOES SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEAN?

There is no universal answer to the question of what CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) actually means. From an employer’s perspective, corporate social responsibility means that companies engage positively with their business environment and respond and act accordingly. In this context, all actions are voluntary, i.e., initiated by the companies themselves – and not by the government. They also go well beyond the legal minimum imposed on companies and can be applied to a wide range of fields of activities in the economic or social spheres, as well as in the environmental field.

WE PROVIDE PERSPECTIVES

vonrickenbach.swiss ag participates in the integration programme of Netzwerk Arbeit Schwyz out of conviction. As a company, we want to assume SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, create perspectives for less privileged people and give something back to society. It has always been our great concern to give people with health restrictions or special needs a chance to find their way back into everyday working life. We want to provide a place where they can do what they are capable of in a sheltered environment.

However, we do not follow a specific process for integration. We deploy these employees where there is a need and for work that they can do well and at their own pace. The range of work is diverse, be it sanding, oiling, sorting out wood, loading CNC machines and many other tasks.

Captions for pictures below:

Assembly work, preparation for CNC cutting
Sorting wood for production
Grinding and mostly repetitive work in production

BEING PART OF A WHOLE

STRONG TOGETHER!

Depending on the size of the company and the sectors, such opportunities are available in different ways. People with special needs will always have an impact on the existing staff and on the operational process itself. It requires tolerance, acceptance and understanding from everyone. It also takes time to get the processes right, but then these employees can be a great enrichment and support for our specialists by relieving them of work that takes a lot of time, especially repetitive time-consuming work. The persons concerned experience appreciation by carrying out the work, which helps them to find their way back into a regular everyday life and to become part of a whole.

A CHANCE FOR CHANGE

Personally, the integration programme of NETZWERK ARBEIT is of great importance to me. It enables affected people to enter or return to the labour market. In my opinion, it is the responsibility of us entrepreneurs and of our society in general to integrate them and give them a CHANCE for a change, as they have often got into this situation through no fault of their own.

Thomas von Rickenbach
Owner / CEO vonrickenbach.swiss ag

Values and Partnerships

Authenticity. Practised principles. Strong partners.

A sustainable recipe for success?

During times of change and crisis, values, traditions, and long-standing partnerships carry immense significance for me. Passion, a willingness to constantly make changes and a desire to achieve the best solution for the customer also help to establish healthy foundations.

Honestly practised values serve as a significant part of a successful corporate culture, are a driving force for creativity and innovation, and make a key contribution to future success on the market. A healthy dose of humility, modesty, and liberation from one’s own importance often leads to different perceptions, greater objectivity, appreciation, and an openness to adapt to new situations. We will continue with determination along our well-trodden path, accompanied by our long-standing partners and valued customers and employees.

Corporate culture as a key success factor

For over 10 years, I have been committed with passion to our family business which was founded in 1910 and of which I am now the 4th generation manager. The current COVID-19 period demonstrates the significance of our consistently applied corporate culture. The values we practise, such as the willingness and courage to make changes, have an even greater significance, especially during times of crisis. Tough times force us to break out of our comfort zone, quickly adapt to new situations, rethink standard systems and identify customer requirements early on. A crisis also offers scope for creativity and innovation and can tap into potential and hidden talent.

About me

There is no patented recipe

There is certainly no all-encompassing patented recipe for the optimal corporate culture. I firmly believe that mutual appreciation, trust, respect, loyalty, team spirit and in particular the promotion of values are key success factors for making things happen together.

Collaboration with Victorinox

Thank you!

You, as a long-term partner or valued customer, and our employees motivate me to go that extra mile, day after day. It is very important to me to thank you all for your loyalty, support, and inspiring dialogue. Such things are all the more priceless during times of crisis.

Ready for the successful implementation of your project

With our long-standing experience, expertise in CNC solid wood processing, laser technology and highly trained and motivated team, we will strive to do everything we can to implement your ideas with perfect quality and precision in the future too.

We would like to dedicate our next blog piece especially to our employees. Find out more about the new management team, our leadership culture, and the greatest asset of all – our employees.

Wishing you strength, the courage to make changes, success and good health!
Thomas von Rickenbach

COVID-19.

How we respond to the new coronavirus.

A strong, over 100-year-old family business

An opportunity in this crisis!

Current developments in connection with the new Coronavirus are bringing large parts of our globalised world to a standstill and are associated with serious economic consequences.

Nevertheless, life will and must go on. The values practised in our traditional family business are of great importance, especially in these challenging times, e.g. social responsibility, respect, solidarity and, in particular, the safety and health of our employees and families.

We are currently allowed to continue our operations in strict compliance with the Swiss Federal Council’s guidelines and implementation of the FOPH’s recommendations. In this way, we can also make a small contribution to the continuation of our partners’ business activities and the minimisation of economic damage.

We have prepared for all possible scenarios with our management team and are prepared in case we must interrupt our operations at short notice.

Either way, we will remain in touch with you and can be reached by e-mail and telephone. Solid wood is and remains our passion. The current phase offers scope, opportunities and new possibilities in cooperation. Exchanging customer ideas, developing concepts, submitting offers – everything is possible digitally when working from home.

Stay healthy!

Thomas von Rickenbach
Managing Director / Owner

Swiss Design Camp.

from 9 to 13 February in Muotathal.

The first SWISS DESIGN CAMP took place from 9 to 13 February 2020 in tradition-conscious Muotathal. During this week, four partner companies from the Muotathal, including vonrickenbach.swiss ag accompanied selected talented designers in the development of a product from the idea to the prototype, provided advice and facilitated the manufacturing of the developed product.

SUSTAINABLE PROMOTION OF SWITZERLAND AS A BUSINESS LOCATION THROUGH DESIGN

The SWISS DESIGN CAMP (SDC) aims to promote Switzerland as a business location through design. Economic efficiency and sustainability form the basis of all design processes. The SDC offers a platform for motivated up-and-coming talent and supports them from their idea to the market-ready product. The camp is intended to be an important platform for the exchange and implementation of products and ideas and also to become an established meeting place for innovative lateral thinkers.

The camp, which will be held annually at different locations, is looking for further investors and sponsors to use this design-oriented, sustainable economic platform. The initiators of the camp are Björn Ischi, an industrial designer from the Biel Lake region and David Spielhofer, Director of OREA Küchen, a renowned kitchen brand from Muotathal.

FIRST SWISS DESIGN CAMP IN MUOTATHAL

A total of 12 students from various Swiss universities were chosen through a selection process. For one week, the up-and-coming talented designers were supported by experts in accordance with themed guidelines, from the idea to the finished prototype. Four manufacturers from Muotathal, in particular vonrickenbach.swiss ag, strongly supported the talented designers with their ideas and implementation so that the newly developed products could be produced and made marketable within a short time period. Speakers from different industries, a “challenging taste” workshop with selected cooks and a book containing the collected materials from the entire camp rounded off the first SWISS DESIGN CAMP. The enthusiastic members discovered the results and an exclusive insight into the entire development process during an exhibition.

We are happy to have been able to support the talented young designers with our expertise and are curious to find out what will become of these designers of tomorrow. In our next blog, we will introduce you to two Swiss designers who are already successfully selling their products on the market.

Thomas von Rickenbach
Director / Owner

Swissness.

at vonrickenbach.swiss ag.

Since June 2019, vonrickenbach.swiss ag has been a member of SWISS LABEL, the association for the promotion of Swiss products and services. SWISS LABEL is committed to typical Swiss values such as quality, reliability and a clear indication of origin. With its trademark, the crossbow, it is an impressive representation of “Swissness”.

SWISS LABEL

Created in 1917 as the “Schweizer Woche” (Swiss Week), it was successfully rebranded as SWISS LABEL in 1989. Since then, the association has gained new members with the symbolic milestone of 1000 having been reached in 2018. The SWISS LABEL trademark, the crossbow, is associated in particular with William Tell, the revered Swiss freedom fighter. The crossbow therefore stands as a symbol of confidence-building values such as quality, security, reliability, solidity, independence and freedom. At vonrickenbach.swiss ag, we represent these values, just like the other members of SWISS LABEL.

MEMBERSHIP

SWISS LABEL strengthens the overall identity of Switzerland as an important, globally active export country and enhances buyers’ and consumers’ awareness of the origin and quality of goods and services of Swiss origin. Being a member of Swiss Label requires that industrial products comprise a Swiss value share of at least 70 per cent, for foodstuffs at least 90 per cent and service companies must provide their services from Switzerland. SWISS LABEL members are entitled to use the protected trademark with the crossbow on their products in Switzerland and in the most important export countries. Since 2019, von rickenbach.swiss ag has also been a member of the SWISS LABEL association.

SWISS TRADITION

Our over 100-year-old family business at the heart of the Swiss Alps stands for tradition paired with precise craftsmanship and technological progress.

We are proud of our Swiss quality products which we produce ourselves. With the SWISS LABEL crossbow trademark, we are able to successfully position ourselves on the market and demonstrate our close ties with Switzerland as a business location and workplace.

We will tell you more about the SWISS DESIGN CAMP in Muotathal in our next blog.

Thomas von Rickenbach

Director / Owner