Precision Engineering

To act big, first think small

The canton of Vaud has a long tradition of expertise in miniaturization and micro-mechanics, which is now being extended to around a dozen sectors of activity such as the manufacturing of industrial machinery and medical technologies. Research centers and businesses in Vaud also lead the way in robotics, aerospace, metrology, and drones. More traditional sectors such as watch manufacturing are not being left behind either. Timepieces made by Blancpain, Audemars Piguet, and Jaeger Lecoultre – all companies established in the canton – are today sold around the globe.

Swiss products enjoy a reputation for quality the world over, which means that "Swiss made" is a foundation on which activities and products with high added value can be developed, and many foreign businesses choose Switzerland and the canton of Vaud for this very reason.

The success of companies in the canton can be attributed in no small part to the presence of cutting-edge research institutes at the EPFL and the HEIG-VD. Partners willing to support businesses are positioning themselves specifically in this field, with a prime example being the Technopôle de Sainte-Croix, which is the national center of excellence in micro-soldering.

The canton of Vaud is investing heavily in highly innovative fields such as additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and industrial design, with the latter being a rapidly growing pole of innovation.