One of our customers once put it succinctly: just because a product comes from Switzerland doesn't mean it automatically clears the high bar of Swiss quality. Customers around the world associate “Swiss Made” with strong performance but a label alone is far from sufficient. For Otto Hofstetter AG, Swissness is the totality of several important factors. Yes, the product itself should met the highest standards of quality, but it should also be delivered on time and the customer should be impeccably supported after the purchase. For us, Swissness isn't just a label, it's a commitment.
Definition with substance.
There are some very clearly defined legal standards that must be met for a product to carry the “Swiss Made” label. For industrial products, for example, at least 60 per cent of the manufacturing costs must be incurred in Switzerland, and the most important manufacturing steps must also take place there. These criteria apply not only to the goods themselves. Any company wishing to use the designation “Swiss Made” in advertising must be able to prove that this claim has been earned.
And satisfying these criteria can be a bit complicated, since the Swiss customs authorities have their own definition of what makes a product Swiss. This also includes a proof of origin, but they use a different formula. For example, the customs authorities also consider the manufacturer's profit margin, whereas with “Swiss Made”, only actual manufacturing costs incurred in Switzerland are considered, as well as determining that the most important manufacturing steps take place in the country. Thus, something may be considered a Swiss product for customs purposes but does not qualify for the “Swiss Made” label.
Trust instead of surveillance.
“Made in Switzerland” is a valuable badge for a manufacturer, but, perhaps surprisingly, this status is not monitored by a licensing or inspection authority. The responsibility for its legal use lies solely with the companies. That said, there is a range of legal remedies, as well as administrative measures, that can be undertaken against unjustified use of the “Swiss Made” label. The Federal Institute of Intellectual Property can take action in Switzerland in cases of obvious misuse. Abroad, the Institute monitors trademark registers and files objections to misleading applications. It also works with authorities to prevent deceptive use of the Swiss cross or the designation “Switzerland”.
Swissness has multiple dimensions.
Around the world, Swissness is understood not only to mean precision and high quality, but also durability, reliability and safety. There is also an ethical dimension to Swissness in terms of corporate conduct.
For Otto Hofstetter AG, “Swiss Made” includes precision manufacturing as well as customer-first support. Our moulds are manufactured almost entirely in Uznach, and our suppliers also produce primarily in Switzerland. We only source raw steel and a small number of components from neighbouring countries. With this local added value, Otto Hofstetter AG far exceeds the legal requirements for “Swiss Made” products.
The way we conduct our business is also typically Swiss. Deadlines are met, communication is clear and proactive, and a spirit of respectful cooperation is always maintained. This also applies to customer support. For example, since our moulds often stay in service a very long time, Otto Hofstetter AG maintains a stock of spare parts for many years. Our Swiss-style service team responds quickly and efficiently, too. This is evident from the first acceptance tests, through commissioning, to routine maintenance and service calls.
Everyday benefits.
Manufacturers of PET preforms, packaging and medical parts enjoy a variety of benefits from the uncompromising Swissness of our family-owned business. The rigorous quality of our moulds ensures greater process stability, which translates into smoother processing downstream of the mould. Parts manufactured with our moulds function flawlessly. “Swiss Made” also translates into minimal downtime. Our robust, durable moulds and our dedicated, fast-track service support assure maximum system availability. And when maintenance can be scheduled reliably, delivery commitments are not jeopardised by unexpected downtime.
The proverbial longevity attributed to Swiss products is epitomised by the moulds from Otto Hofstetter AG, which can achieve up to 20 million cycles before any maintenance is needed, allowing them to run smoothly for ten years or more.
“Swiss Made” also helps with compliance issues. Our moulds consistently maintain their precisely defined geometry and surface finish over extended periods of time. This allows manufacturers of medical devices and food packaging to meet the highest quality requirements.
And, last but not least, PET manufacturers using moulds made in Switzerland by Otto Hofstetter AG can credibly demonstrate to their customers that their products are of the highest quality and that their production is exceptionally reliable. Thus, quality begets quality all along the production chain. That’s what Otto Hofstetter AG’s “Swiss Made” status really delivers.
