First Industry Night Zurich on 12 March 2027
Right in the heart of Zurich, high-tech compressors are manufactured for the global market, grain is stored in a 118-metre-high silo, and new standards are being set with timeless espresso machines. Behind all this lie working worlds that usually remain hidden from view in everyday life. At the Industry Night Zurich, over 20 companies from a variety of sectors will open their doors from 5 pm to midnight, taking us on a journey through their day-to-day operations, culture and history.
The event Industry Night: Guided tours, workshops, dialogue
What potential does a 3D metal printer offer? How much technology goes into the trains we use every day? And how do logistics centres cope with the sheer volume of orders placed round the clock? The Industry Night promises answers to these questions, presented as a thrilling experience. The programme features spectacular guided tours, hands-on workshops and plenty of opportunities for informal chats with staff. The Industry Night has something exciting in store for everyone, young and old alike. There is a special focus on the tech industry. The main sponsor of the Industry Night is ‘tecindustry’, the industry platform of Swissmem.
A network of shuttle buses connects all the participating companies. Visitors can therefore plan their exploration in advance or choose their next destination spontaneously in the evening – just like at Zurich’s Long Night of Museums. The Industry Night has already been successfully held in other cities such as Basel, where it has become an established event with growing popularity, most recently attracting over 20,000 visitors. Now the event is coming to Zurich with the aim of showcasing the economic diversity of Switzerland’s most populous canton.
Industry at the heart of Switzerland’s largest city
Zurich is far more than just Switzerland’s financial centre. The region is a major hub for manufacturing and technology. Many of the switchgear units used by the national grid operators, for example, come from the Hitachi Energy factory in Oerlikon. In District 5, Everllence Switzerland manufactures large high-tech compressors for international energy projects. Mecos develops and manufactures magnetic bearings that allow machine parts to float, completely contact-free and without oil. All three companies will be opening the doors to their impressive production halls at the Industry Night. Meanwhile, Rheinmetall Air Defence will be offering an insight into the technology behind air defence systems and presenting its apprenticeship programmes for polymechanics, design engineers and electronics technicians.
"Industrial companies are often global leaders in their fields, constantly coming up with new solutions to the challenges facing humanity. But they remain largely unknown. Thanks to the Industry Night, these companies are opening their doors to the public – let’s make the most of this opportunity!"
– Dr. Stefan Brupbacher, Director of Swissmem
At Technopark Zurich, visitors get a glimpse into the future. Here, start-ups work side by side on new technological solutions, ranging from 3D metal printers (a-metal) to smart camera systems that detect assembly errors in production in real time (Sentinus). In Wallisellen, Siemens is showcasing its Mobility division. The systems developed there ensure that we can travel safely and on time by train across Switzerland every day. Next door, Membrapor manufactures sensors that detect toxic gases. At the Industry Night, we’ll see how this new measurement technology is used in mining and construction. The Innovation Park Zurich also offers spectacular insights. The EuroTube Foundation is conducting research there into Hyperloop technology, which is intended to one day transport passengers at speeds of up to 900 km/h.
"The Industry Night Zurich demonstrates just how innovative, diverse and forward-looking Zurich is as a centre for manufacturing and technology. It brings businesses and the public together and brings to life the contribution our industry makes to Zurich, both today and in the future."
– Patrik Meli, President of the Industrie-Verband Zürich & Managing Director of Everllence Switzerland AG
Local and global supply chains
For us as end consumers, the flow of goods is often invisible. At the Industry Night, it becomes tangible, for example in the modern logistics centres of Planzer Transport (Altstetten) or Rhyner Logistik (Binz). Egolfs verpackungs ag demonstrates just how important the right packaging material is for transport. Zurich is also home to the Kornhaus, the world’s tallest granary. At the Industry Night, the Swissmill Division of the Coop Cooperative is offering a glimpse inside the 118-metre-high building. Also hard to miss in the city of Zurich are the many green vehicles from Spross, featuring the iconic maple leaf. The company is opening its recycling plant in District 5.
"The Industry Night brings industrial value creation and innovation to life for anyone interested. In doing so, it raises awareness of our industry in the Canton of Zurich as a cornerstone of competitiveness, jobs and economic stability."
– Carmen Walker Späh, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Canton of Zurich
"Manufacturing, utility, construction and maintenance companies make an enormous contribution to the city of Zurich – often behind the scenes. The Industry Night puts a face to these companies."
– Yves Bisang, Head of Economic Development, City of Zurich
Specialised manufacturers: chocolate, beer, espresso machines
Zurich is also home to some unique workshops: in the former SBB workshop in District 4, Zuriga offers a glimpse into the production of its popular espresso machines, which feature water tanks made from laboratory glass. Right next door, laflor takes us on a tour of its workshop, where the finest chocolate bars made from single-origin cocoa are crafted. Denkstatt and baubüro in situ demonstrate the potential of urban regeneration projects and how buildings can be converted using reused components. At Qwstion, bags are made from Bananatex, the world’s first fabric made from banana fibres, which is fully compostable at the end of its life. Meanwhile, Dr Brauwolf in Binz is opening his brewery, which even has its own laboratory for quality control.
An overview of the participating companies
- a-metal (Technopark)
- baubüro in situ
- Denkstatt sàrl
- Dr. Brauwolf
- egolf verpackungs ag
- EuroTube Foundation
- Everllence Schweiz
- Hitachi Energy
- Körber Supply Chain
- laflor
- Mecos
- Membrapor
- Planzer Transport
- Qwstion
- Rheinmetall Air Defence
- Rhyner Logistik
- Sentinus (Technopark)
- Siemens
- Spross Transport & Recycling
- Stiftung Technopark® Zürich
- Swissmill Division der Coop Genossenschaft
- Zuriga
1 ticket for the whole night
The Industry Night ticket costs CHF 10 and entitles the holder to entry to all participating companies, as well as use of the shuttle buses and public transport in fare zones 110/121 (2nd class). School pupils, apprentices and students are entitled to a free ticket. For young people, the Industry Night is a great opportunity to experience the regional job market and discover their own interests.
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Many thanks to our sponsors and supporters
The Industry Night Zurich would not be possible without the dedicated support of its sponsors and partners. The association Industrienacht ZH would like to thank its main sponsor, ‘tecindustry’ – the industry platform of Swissmem – as well as the sponsors Zurich Chamber of Commerce and Everllence Switzerland for their commitment and excellent cooperation.