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.

Find more about Precision Engineering in Vaud

Our success stories

Flyability

Plus sûrs, plus rapides et moins coûteux: les drones de la start-up<br />vaudoise Flyability ont conquis le marché de la vérification d’installations difficiles d’accès.

SWISSto12

SWISSto12 is Switzerland’s fastest-growing aerospace company, shaping the next chapter of the space and satellite industry from its headquarters in the canton of Vaud.

Parker Hannifin

For over a century, Parker Hannifin has contributed to technological advances that create a better world. With its Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) headquarters in the Canton of Vaud, the US conglomerate offers solutions in a broad range of markets and industrial applications.

News and events

8/31/2023

Economic promotion: Strategic rapprochement with Quebec

A meeting between a delegation from the Quebec government and Vaud’s Department of the Economy, Innovation, Employment and Patrimony (DEIEP) took place yesterday in Lausanne. On this occasion, the State Councillor of the Department of the Economy, Innovation, Employment and Patrimony had the opportunity to exchange views with her Quebec counterpart, the Minister of International Relations and Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Sharing complementary values and assets in terms of innovation and the economy, Quebec and the Canton of Vaud, which have a common language, have agreed to set up a strategic rapprochement.

6/20/2023

Greenlina converts plastic waste into fuel

Tackling the recycling challenge of several companies in an efficient and innovative way is the ‘trigger point’ shared by Thévenaz Leduc, Romande Energie and Spontis. Together, they came up with the solution by forming a consortium, with the backing of the Canton of Vaud and the support of the platinn innovation network, represented by Innovaud. This collaborative effort to find an alternative to incinerating certain types of waste led them to Greenlina.