Key developments in August 2026

Komax is making progress – but the turnaround is not yet complete
fuw.ch: 13.08.2026
Komax is reducing its dependence on the automotive industry and diversifying more strongly into North American infrastructure markets. One-off costs of just under CHF 15m for restructuring and portfolio adjustments weigh on the half-year result; adjusted EBIT stood at CHF 16.5m.

Burckhardt Compression announces further job cuts
swissinfo.ch: 19.08.2026
The Winterthur-based compressor manufacturer is cutting up to 220 jobs worldwide, of which up to 150 at its Winterthur headquarters, and is simplifying its organisational structure and business processes. Implementation costs are estimated at c. CHF 3m and annual savings at c. CHF 20m; the consultation process runs until 9 September 2026.

Up to 35 jobs at risk at Osterwalder Technology in Lyss
swissinfo.ch: 20.08.2026
According to the trade union Unia, up to 35 of the 64 jobs at press manufacturer Osterwalder Technology AG could be lost; the causes are financial difficulties and a weak order intake. Unia criticises the Belgian parent company Tessenderlo Group, which made distributions to its shareholders at the end of 2025.

IWC cuts 18 jobs at its Schaffhausen site
shn.ch: 21.08.2026
Watch manufacturer IWC has confirmed the reduction of 18 jobs in Schaffhausen, attributing it to an adjustment of its organisational structure to future development plans. Individual agreements have been reached with the employees affected. The site itself is, however, not in question.

The next Orior strategy: fresh pasta is to rescue what salami can no longer deliver
fuw.ch: 25.08.2026
Orior reports a 7.1% decline in revenue to CHF 283.3m for the first half of 2026, with an organic decrease of 5.7%, and lowers its full-year guidance. Net debt rose by 7.0% to CHF 162.9m, which is why debt reduction remains the top priority; options could include the sale of a subsidiary or a capital increase.

Zug-based luxury watch retailer Chronext goes bankrupt
nau.ch: 26.08.2026
Bankruptcy proceedings were opened against Chronext AG and its parent company Chronext Group AG on 19 August 2026 by decision of the Cantonal Court of Zug; both companies are in liquidation. The online platform for luxury watches, founded in 2013, had previously had to absorb repeated setbacks and job cuts.

Manor cuts 38 jobs at its Basel headquarters
swissinfo.ch: 26.08.2026
Department store chain Manor is cutting 38 jobs at its Basel headquarters, attributing the step to an organisational realignment of its head office. As more than 30 employees are affected, the reduction legally qualifies as a mass dismissal; a social plan and individual support measures are envisaged.

KOF business tendency surveys for July: business situation improves across the board
kof.ethz.ch: 05.08.2026
The business situation in the Swiss private sector improved across the board in July, most markedly in wholesale trade, manufacturing and financial and insurance services. At the same time, the lowered KOF growth forecast of 0.8% for 2026 remains in place, as energy prices and subdued foreign demand weigh on activity.

Insolvencies at a record high across the Swiss corporate landscape
finews.ch: 12.08.2026
According to data from Dun & Bradstreet, corporate insolvencies rose by c. 55% to 7,496 cases in the first half of 2026 – the highest level since 1994. Alongside macroeconomic pressure, the obligation of public-law creditors to consistently pursue outstanding claims is acting as a catalyst; the survey is defined more broadly than the table below, which captures only published corporate bankruptcies.

Flash GDP for the second quarter of 2026: strong growth in the Swiss economy
seco.admin.ch: 14.08.2026
Swiss gross domestic product grew by 1.5% in real terms in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, clearly exceeding expectations. The main driver was the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, with a catch-up effect in exports; the services sector also contributed to growth.

Eastern Swiss economy defies strong headwinds
sg.ch: 19.08.2026
A report by the St. Gallen cantonal government shows a turbulent first half of 2026, shaped by geopolitical pressures. Many industrial companies are responding to persistently weak demand in their core markets with defensive performance optimisation and efficiency programmes.

Swiss tech industry under pressure from US tariffs
srf.ch: 24.08.2026
A tariff rate of 12.5% applies to most Swiss export products to the US, representing a competitive disadvantage of 2.5 percentage points versus the EU. The MEM industry is particularly affected, with capacity utilisation of c. 81% below its long-term average; many companies are diversifying their sales markets but are sticking with their US business.

Supplier domino: upheaval at VW puts Swiss suppliers under pressure
nzz.ch: 25.08.2026
VW group CEO Oliver Blume has scheduled extraordinary works meetings for 25 to 31 August 2026 and is putting the future of several plants as well as a substantial reduction in jobs up for discussion; the supervisory board will address the strategy concept in early September. Swiss industrial companies with a high dependence on the global automotive sector are feeling the crisis directly in their order books and must transform at pace.

The economic environment remains dynamic – and with it, the demands on companies to make the right decisions early. Whether restructuring, recovery, or strategic realignment, we are here to help you turn challenges into opportunities.