Glarus – truly fabulous

"If you don't move with the times, you move with the times." This quote, which has long been a guiding principle in business, sums up what has always characterized the canton of Glarus: The courage to change. Whether with the Factory Act, the first AHV or the reform of municipal structures - Glarus has always demonstrated a pioneering spirit. Old habits don't stand a chance here - Glarus is ready for the future.

The canton of Glarus is also progressive at other levels, for example in terms of digitalization. The MINTGL initiative promotes enthusiasm for the subjects of mathematics, IT, natural sciences and technology among children and young people. Coverage with UHB Internet via mobile communications or fiber optics has increased significantly and is being continuously expanded. And the economy benefits from subsidies for the digital transformation of its products and business models.

Room for development
Glarus has exceptionally large reserves of building land as a result of the municipal structural reform. Thanks to its geographical proximity to Zurich, St. Gallen, Graubünden and Liechtenstein, companies have access to the expertise of universities, dynamic economic areas and skilled workers.

The implemented land use plans in Glarus and Glarus North enable the targeted development of key areas and an unbureaucratic response to the needs of the population and companies. The areas around the Glarus, Näfels and Ziegelbrücke railroad stations offer enormous development potential – in the immediate vicinity of the town center and with excellent transport links. There are 170,000 square meters of land reserves available in the employment zones. At the same time, over 2,000 new apartments are planned in the canton of Glarus – state-of-the-art living space for around 6,000 people. This corresponds to around 15 percent of the current population.

The contact point for the economy supports investors in their search for suitable sites and land reserves. This is based on work zone management, which provides information on building maturity, development and possible natural hazards. In the case of strategically important sites, the canton can become active itself – either by investing directly in their development or by acting as a partner.

Skilled workers for success
If you want to attract companies, you need space – including space for skilled workers. This is exactly what Glarus offers. Here, people have the opportunity to live where they work: to enjoy lunch with the family, to experience nature after work – and all this with a low cost of living, a relaxed real estate market and in a safe, socially intact environment. Glarnerland thus combines the economic strength of the “Greater Zurich Area” with a quality of life close to nature.

The canton of Glarus is also committed to education and training. With the Work 4.0 pilot project, it is specifically strengthening the employability of skilled workers by co-financing training and further education. This commitment is complemented by three cantonal vocational schools, two technical colleges in Ziegelbrücke and the proximity to the universities and colleges in Zurich, Rapperswil, St. Gallen and Chur. Together with offers in adult education, vocational and career counseling, people in Glarnerland have access to almost every training and further education path. The smartglarus.com platform offers a compact overview of educational opportunities, support programs and services – a digital showcase for anyone who wants to learn, work or develop in Glarus.

Innovation for the future
It is often said that innovation mainly originates at universities and colleges. This is only partly true. Start-ups need more than just good ideas: They are dependent on partners from industry and business who can drive product development forward with their experience and know-how. This is exactly what the Glarus economy offers. When it comes to growth, practical factors count: affordable space, qualified specialists and continued access to universities. The canton of Glarus combines all of this. And is therefore an ideal location for start-ups with ambitions.

Innovation promotion is broadly based in the canton of Glarus – thanks in part to cooperation with strong partners such as InnoSuisse and the Innovation Network Eastern Switzerland (INOS). Start-ups and companies benefit from coaching, expertise and financial support for the development of their products and services. One example: the fast-growing drone manufacturer ANAVIA made a conscious decision to locate in Näfels – a clear sign of how innovation-friendly the Glarus region is.

Circular economy in the food and packaging industry

In Glarnerland, the circular economy is a way of life – from the development of energy-efficient machines and innovative packaging solutions to food production and recycling: the economic area combines industrial strength with ecological responsibility. The result is a regional ecosystem that not only thinks about sustainability, but also puts it into practice.

It all started with Netstal Maschinen AG, which develops high-performance injection molding machines. These are used at Resilux Schweiz AG in Bilten – together with high-precision molds from Glaroform AG. Resilux uses them to produce preforms, i.e. PET preforms, as well as finished bottles. These in turn are filled at the mineral springs in Elm.

After use, the cycle starts all over again: the empty bottles end up at the Resilux recycling plant, where they are processed back into high-quality recyclate – ready for the next round of production. This creates a regional ecosystem based on innovation, efficiency and resource conservation. The companies benefit from each other’s expertise and thus drive the circular economy forward.

Rethinking plastics
Kunststoff Schwanden AG is also part of this sustainable network: it develops and manufactures sophisticated plastic parts using multi-component injection molding – with a focus on recyclates and energy-efficient processes.

Where ideas take shape in corrugated cardboard and paper runs in circles
Müller Kartonagen AG supplies customized solutions. Its corrugated cardboard packaging made from renewable raw materials is manufactured regionally – efficiently, in a resource-saving manner and tailored to customer requirements, such as those of Läderach. The raw material comes from the Netstal paper mill, which produces around 50,000 tons of recycled paper every year – from waste paper, most of which comes from Switzerland, and is processed using closed material and water cycles.

Packaging is just the beginning. In Glarus, the contents are also produced responsibly: In the food industry, regional ingredients meet modern processing – sustainably and efficiently.

Traditionally, Glarner Schabziger stands for local food production. Today, the spectrum is broader. Foodstuffs from chocolate to salmon are taking the lead. The entire region benefits from the growing potential of the food industry.

Chocolate art with global success
Since the invention of the Truffes hollow ball in 1970, Läderach has expanded steadily – and is now present in Europe, Asia and North America. The new factory in Bilten makes it possible to control the entire value chain – from the cocoa bean to the end product.

Also from Bilten, GUMA AG distributes the traditional Stalden cream – a Swiss dessert classic in four varieties with over 120 years of history.

Mexican bite with Glarus roots
MiAdelita has been producing fresh corn tortillas and potato chips since 1995 – and is now the largest supplier of its kind in Switzerland. Now in its second generation of management, the company consistently focuses on regionality: the corn comes from the Landolt mill in nearby Näfels. Together with the delicatessen supplier IMEX, a new production site with around 40 jobs is being built in Bilten.

North Atlantic salmon from land-based farming
Swiss Blue Salmon AG is planning the largest land-based fish farm in Switzerland in Mollis. With a market share of seven percent, it will make an important contribution to climate-friendly food supplies. The recirculation system will be supplied with water from Lake Walen and passively cooled – ideal conditions for sustainable salmon farming. The location in the “Biäsche” industrial area also offers first-class transport links to Zurich and Chur.

High-flyer – the aviation industry in Glarus

Flying has a long tradition in the canton of Glarus. in 1939, the first flight day attracted thousands of onlookers to watch the daredevils in their flying boxes. Today, aviation is one of the main areas of development in the canton of Glarus. With the zoning of additional building land, the Mollis airfield offers new space for aviation companies.

The municipality of Glarus North is drawing up a master plan for the structural development of the site by summer 2025. Also in summer, athletes take to the skies at Mollis airfield – and land unerringly in the sawdust: 150,000 visitors are expected every day at the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival (ESAF).

Flying high – with a firm footing on Glarus soil
Everything around the Mollis airfield revolves around precision and high-altitude flights. What the companies based here have in common: They use the synergies of a specialized cluster. First and foremost the Kopter Group. The helicopter manufacturer wants to establish itself internationally with the single-engine AW09. The location offers space for test flights, short assembly routes and a technology-friendly environment.

Anavia is one of the youngest aviation companies in Glarus. The start-up develops unmanned helicopters – such as the HT-100, which flies for up to six hours, carries 60 kilograms and is ideal for border surveillance, infrastructure inspections or rescue missions. Founder and Co-CEO Jon Andri Jörg says: “Glarus is ideally suited to our needs. We have access to highly qualified specialists. And the proximity to Mollis airfield offers an ideal location for both production and testing.”

Another start-up has made a conscious decision to locate in Glarus in 2025: Marenco Aviation is working on a new generation of lightweight helicopters with a focus on alternative propulsion systems.
A proven player is Rega, which has been operating its own base in Mollis since 2010. The strategically favorable location allows for quick missions in the Alps. The expansion into a permanent station shows how central the location has become for air rescue.

Heli-Linth AG has been operating here since 1972. It flies tourists over glaciers, supplies alpine huts, transports materials – and occasionally rescues cows from rough terrain. Comprehensive aircraft management is provided by the internationally active Linth Air Service AG, which has been anchored at the site for over 20 years. The Ecoflight flight school also takes off from here.

Only Sauter, Bachmann AG remains on the ground, and with good reason: the Netstal-based specialist for gears and drive systems also supplies the aviation industry and benefits from direct contact with partners at the airfield, the technical expertise in the region and the industrial tradition of the Glarus region.

Together, these companies focus on quality, proximity and a clear commitment to the Glarus region. They take off and yet remain grounded.

Redaktion: Christoph Grüniger, Bild: zVg.