Leading global industry clusters
The economy of the Zug region is diverse and includes both internationally active and local companies. The entrepreneurial landscape is characterised by clusters in which companies exchange knowledge and resources, benefit from each other and at the same time compete with each other.
Over the years, more and more companies from the same industries have settled here, resulting in the formation of various industry clusters, as they are known. This also includes education, research and various platforms such as the Innovation Park or associations, in which a lively exchange takes place. The large number of companies, service providers, suppliers and private institutions provide mutual support and promote a service-orientated and efficient administration. The local companies also benefit from the high educational standards and excellent infrastructure.
Blockchain, fintech and IT
Zug has developed into a global hotspot for blockchain, fintech and IT. Here, innovations unfold in a symbiotic ecosystem where pioneering technologies meet and create a wealth of limitless opportunities. Zug has earned recognition for its transparent regulations, crypto-friendly banks and administrations, a dynamic labour market for cryptocurrencies and a varied calendar of events. Due to its proximity to the Zurich region, Zug is developing an attractive ecosystem for around 600 crypto companies in the “Crypto Valley” and is the birthplace of Ethereum. This environment is favoured by a positive regulatory framework, attractive taxes, incubators such as CV VC and a large number of fintech companies. The Canton of Zug supports research in this area financially by contributing almost CHF 40 million to the blockchain research initiative of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Lucerne and the University of Lucerne.
Zug’s “Fintech Cluster” embodies a centre of innovation in the field of financial technology. Within the “Crypto Valley”, this cluster acts as a dynamic meeting place for fintech companies, start-ups and financial institutions. Zug is also home to the National Test Centre for Cybersecurity (NTC) as well as various labs and research centres in the fields of blockchain, AI, ML and robotics at HSLU, located in Rotkreuz.
Life sciences (pharma/biotech and medtech)
The canton of Zug is a leading location for life sciences with around 300 companies and 9,000 employees. In addition to the strong focus on commercial functions, the medical and clinical areas are also growing. The regional innovative strength is reinforced by other leading clusters in deep tech, AI and ICT, which creates innovative synergies.
Pharma/biotech
Zug attracts numerous international pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Biogen, Amgen, Astra Zeneca and Johnson & Johnson. In addition, around 60 US biotech companies have chosen Zug as their European headquarters in recent years. The high density of pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the canton of Zug and the large number of service providers specialising in life sciences create an advantageous business environment.
Medtech
In the medical technology sector, more than 100 companies specialising in diagnostics and medical production are represented with production sites and global headquarters. Representative examples of global headquarters are Roche Diagnostics, Medela, SHL Medical, Schiller and Johnson & Johnson Medtech with important global functions at their international campus in Zug.
Zug also offers up-and-coming medtech start-ups such as Deep Breath Intelligence, Heart Force and Sedimentum optimal conditions for growth and innovation.
New SHL Medical AG building
The 5,000 m² office and 10,500 m² production building for the tenant SHL Medical AG is being built on the Tech Cluster Zug site. The compact design, the reduction in materials and the innovative hybrid construction of wood, steel and concrete promote resource-saving, efficient construction. Visible wood on the inside and a protective aluminium layer on the outside reflect the high quality standards. A 20% reduction in CO2 emissions is made possible by on-site concrete production using Jura Eco cement.
SHL’s energy supply is designed as part of the site-wide multi-energy hub. The energy supply is supplemented by lake water cooling and large-scale PV systems on roofs and façades. The surplus heat and energy is recovered for further use in the hub.
New Roche production building
Roche is investing 215 million in a new 29,000 m² diagnostics production building in Rotkreuz, which will be completed by 2027. The flexible design will allow the building to be adapted to future production needs, thereby increasing long-term efficiency. Sustainability is a top priority: a fossil-free energy supply, water circulation systems and resource-saving construction methods are planned. The surrounding area will be designed to be close to nature, with wet meadows, a fen and a roof garden at a height of 23 metres to promote biodiversity.
Tech industry
The tech industry is one of the largest employment sectors in Switzerland. With around 14,000 employees and 750 companies, this sector is also important for the canton of Zug. The focus of the high-tech cluster in Zug is on the development, design and manufacture of electronic products and services. Digitalisation, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) also play important roles.
Zug stands out as one of the most dynamically expanding technology centres in Europe. The canton of Zug is home to numerous notable SMEs and start-ups specialising in cutting-edge and pioneering technologies. Their influence extends across various industries as they develop ground-breaking solutions based on emerging technologies. Access to various research and networking institutions such as the University of Applied Sciences (HSLU), the Innovation Park Central Switzerland and the Technology Forum Zug create the ideal framework for innovative, technology-driven companies.
Siemens Campus
The 81,000 m2 Siemens Campus Zug is a showcase project for digitalisation and sustainability and demonstrates how modern products and solutions can accelerate the digital transformation. It sets technological standards in every respect and shows how buildings and infrastructures can be developed from static, inactive objects into responsive and reactive objects. The campus combines everything a community needs: Fire protection, access and intrusion control, CCTV, CO detection, extinguishing, voice-controlled evacuation, room automation and much more.
Financial service providers
Around 2,000 companies form a dynamic environment for financial services in the canton of Zug. Hundreds of companies from the fields of asset management, family offices and hedge funds are based in the canton of Zug.
In the private equity/venture capital sector, for example, Partners Group, Capital Dynamics, HBM Healthcare Investments, CAPVIS and Invision should be mentioned. Leading Swiss financial institutions and platforms are also based here, including the Institute of Financial Services Zug IFZ, the Swiss Private Equity and Corporate Finance Association SECA, the Swiss CFO Forum and the VQF, the leading self-regulatory organisation in the non-banking sector.
New Partners Group Campus
Partners Group’s new global headquarters consists of three buildings: the “Green Building”, an elongated, elliptical structure whose variously curved, terraced layers provide a richly planted, forward-looking counter-accent to the two brick buildings, which are modelled on historic factory buildings and evoke the past. This is Partners Group’s way of emphasising its focus as a company builder.
The building not only impresses with its architecture, but also with its high-quality infrastructure, including an in-house gym, canteen, daycare centre and car park.
Consumer goods
The canton of Zug is also home to over 1,700 consumer goods companies with around 14,000 employees, which account for around a third of GDP. Zug is home to international and regional headquarters of leading brands in the areas of food and beverages (e.g. Anheuser-Busch InBev, Burger King, Coca Cola HBC), personal care (e.g. Galderma, Kenvue), textiles (e.g. Odlo, Hugo Boss) and sporting goods (e.g. Specialized). The automotive supply sector and the wholesale of raw materials and pharmaceutical products also play an important role.
Commodities trading
Zug is a leading global trading centre for commodities, particularly in the areas of metals, (renewable) energy and agricultural commodities, with over 200 companies (e.g. Glencore, Shell) and specialised professionals. Key areas include headquarters, trading, supply chain, production, processing and marketing.
Headquarters, Supply Chain Management & Procurement
In recent decades, Switzerland has developed into a leading location for international headquarters with over 1,000 companies. The canton of Zug has the highest density of headquarters with globally leading industry clusters.
A special centre for companies in the supply chain & procurement sector has developed here.
Centralisation enables cost-effective procurement and efficient management of production resources along the entire value chain. Large multinational companies such as Bossard, Glencore, Johnson & Johnson and V-Zug have located global supply chain and procurement functions here.