

Reorganisation of leadership in the kitchen and ventilation market
Gregory Oswald will return as CEO for the DACH market at Franke Home Solutions on 1 February 2026. He previously headed this division of the Aargau-based Franke Group from 2022 to 2024. He then served as CEO of WESCO AG in Wettingen, which was acquired by Franke in

Air transport between growth and climate costs
Civil aviation in Switzerland generated direct added value of CHF 9.8 billion in 2024. Total added value amounts to CHF 24.8 billion. Zurich is the most accessible region in Europe. This is according to a report by INFRAS commissioned by the Federal Office of Civil

Infrastructure investment gains momentum in Europe
Implenia has won new contracts in Germany and Norway for three bridges and an inner-city motorway tunnel. The total contract volume amounts to around €350 million. The projects are in line with the Group's strategic focus on large, challenging mobility and energy supply

New balance of power in modular room solutions
The Condecta Group is acquiring the entire Swiss FAGSI fleet of rental containers from the ALHO Group. The FAGSI site in Wikon is being expanded into a centre for high-quality mobile space solutions. This will enable Condecta to realise larger and more complex projects in the

Building technology grows beyond regional boundaries
The Burkhalter Group is acquiring BZ-Dépannage Sàrl in Lonay, a company specialising in sanitary facilities, heating, maintenance and repairs, with effect from 15 January 2026. With this acquisition, the Group is entering the building technology market in western

Platform strategy strengthens construction and environmental expertise
TIC Holding Switzerland AG has acquired HSE Conseils. With this acquisition, the company aims to expand its portfolio in the industrial, building materials, construction, environmental and occupational safety sectors. HSE Managing Director Marc Dutoit will remain in his

Senior citizens sell their homes late and downsize only slightly after moving out
The Zurich Cantonal Bank's real estate barometer has analysed voluntary moves out of owner-occupied homes. It is striking that moves usually involve couples, do not involve a change of location, and become more frequent from the age of 85 onwards. After moving out, the number of rooms per person

Pension funds focus on sustainable living
Vertina Investment Foundation has successfully completed a capital increase. Its Vertina Wohnen investment group exceeded its target volume of CHF 50 million, raising CHF 74.3 million. The proceeds from the issue will be used to finance and realise two residential projects in

Sustainable commercial real estate in the focus of institutional investors
Swiss Life Asset Managers plans to launch a listed Swiss real estate fund focusing on commercial properties. The fund, which is based on an integrated ESG strategy, holds real estate in direct ownership and offers investors high income

Regional strength compensates for weakness in the Asian market
Sika AG, a company active in the specialty chemicals sector, achieved preliminary sales of CHF 11.2 billion in the 2025 financial year. In local currencies, this corresponds to growth of 0.6 per cent. In Swiss francs, negative currency effects (-5.4 per cent) resulted in a decline of 4.8 per

Long-term supply agreement strengthens global wind energy industry
Gurit Holding AG has signed a five-year supply contract with a manufacturer of wind turbines. The contract covers the supply of core kits featuring Gurit OptiCore technology and is expected to generate net sales of CHF 250 million for

Prices for detached houses and condominiums continue to rise
The Raiffeisen Transaction Price Index reports continued strong price momentum for single-family homes and condominiums. Prices for single-family homes rose by 0.2 per cent compared to the previous quarter, while condominiums cost 1.2 per cent more.


Expansion of Building Solutions through acquisitions in Western Europe
Building materials specialist Holcim has acquired French concrete component manufacturer Alkern. The acquisition strengthens Holcim's business in the Building Solutions segment and brings it closer to its goal of this segment accounting for around 50 per cent of net sales by

Winterthur introduces new guidelines for sustainable procurement
The city of Winterthur is changing its public procurement rules as of 1 July 2026. These rules are binding for all municipal departments for contracts worth CHF 50,000 or more and are intended to have a positive impact on the climate and the

New double-track line relieves congestion on the route between Zurich and Winterthur
SBB has commissioned Implenia and Marti to construct five of the six lots in the Zurich-Winterthur multi-track project. The contract is worth around CHF 1.7 billion. Construction work is expected to be completed in around ten

Gray Energy Steep Pass for Tenant Protection
The debate about a sustainable building stock is at a crossroads. While the construction of energy-efficient buildings, energy-efficient renovation and the use of low-emission energy sources are now standard practice, the opinion-forming process on grey energy is still in full swing. Grey energy is

Zurich strengthens energy transition with 60 million program
The canton of Zurich wants to further reduce emissions in the building sector. To this end, the cantonal government is applying for a new framework credit of CHF 60 million until 2029. Together with federal funds, up to CHF 286 million is available for energy promotion

Real estate market in a state of tension
In 2026, the Swiss real estate market will continue to be caught between interest rate reversals, political uncertainty and declining construction activity. While residential properties continue to increase in value, the commercial market is coming under pressure. The latest SIV market report shows

New investor focuses on continuity and long-term prospects
After almost 30 years at the helm of the Hotel Bernerhof Gstaad, Brigitte and Thomas Frei have transferred their majority stake to two new owners. Geneva-based RISK MANAGEMENT GROUP and Zug-based Holdingstone AG have handed over operational management to François Grohens.


Mega merger with a signal effect
Rio Tinto and Glencore are negotiating a potential mega merger that could create the world's largest mining and commodities group with a strong focus on copper. Rio Tinto must decide by February 5, 2026 at the latest whether a binding offer will be made. Whether the Zug-based group will actually be


Apartments are shrinking again
More and more people are living in less space. New-build apartments are becoming smaller for the first time in decades, while the living space per capita remains historically high. This trend is fundamentally changing planning, construction and energy policy and is turning space itself into a

Basel between regulation and reality
The mood in the Basel property world is tense, and rightly so. Anyone planning, redeveloping or investing in projects today feels the contradictions between political aspirations, economic reality and social expectations. Hardly any other economic region in Switzerland is currently as exemplary of

Digital brokerage platform expands offering in the skilled trades market
The SIREN GROUP from Freienbach and its HomeBuddy platform are becoming part of the online marketing company QuinStreet. The Californian online marketing company is paying a total of $190 million for SIREN's marketplace for connecting tradespeople with

Majority stake drives growth in the Peruvian market
Holcim has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Peruvian construction company Cementos Pacasmayo. The transaction, with a volume of USD 1.5 billion, is intended to strengthen Holcim's presence in Latin America and is a central component of the NextGen Growth 2030

Strategic takeover strengthens mortar business in Northern Europe
Sika, which is active in speciality chemicals, is acquiring Finja Betong AB, a Swedish mortar manufacturer. The transaction gives Sika a strong basis for expansion in Northern Europe, creates cross-selling potential and strengthens its production
