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Swissmem terminates merger project due to insufficient support from Swissmechanic regional sections

Contact Person

Noé Blancpain
Head of Communications and Public Affairs
+41 44 384 48 65 +41 44 384 48 65 n.blancpain@swissmem.ch

Swissmem terminates merger project due to insufficient support from Swissmechanic regional sections

26/10/2026

On Saturday, the Swissmechanic Assembly of Delegates adopted a positive decision in principle on the merger project by majority vote. However, two influential regional sections voted against the proposal, while GIM, the regional association representing French-speaking Switzerland, declined to adopt the negotiated statutes and agreements. As a result, two key success factor are unfortunately lacking: the fundamental support of all Swissmechanic regional sections, and thus the prospect of retaining a sufficient number of Swissmechanic members within the new association. Under these circumstances, the shared goal of a single, nationally unified association with a regional presence cannot be achieved. From the outset, the Swissmem Council considered this a prerequisite for a successful merger. The Swissmem Extraordinary General Meeting today therefore rejected the planned merger with Swissmechanic. Swissmem regrets that the support for the merger was evidently not sufficiently strong within certain sections. Swissmem would like to thank those at Swissmechanic who supported the project, particularly the President and the Director, for their strong commitment and for the trust they have built. This trust is important for continuing the successful cooperation in the area of national basic vocational training, which has already been merged.

Swissmem will continue to devote its full efforts to its more than 1,500 member companies and promoting a competitive industrial centre in Switzerland.

In spring 2026, Swissmem and Swissmechanic launched a joint merger project. The aim was to create a joint association for the Swiss tech industry, thereby further expanding the range of services for member companies, increasing the sector's political influence and strengthening Switzerland as an industrial centre.

The planned merger will now not proceed due to the incomplete support within Swissmem's sister association.

Martin Hirzel, Chairman of Swissmem: “We regret that the merger did not receive the support of several sections. Without a realistic prospect of a large proportion of Swissmechanic companies transferring to the joint association, the merger would simply not have been viable. From a financial perspective, in particular, there were concerns that the significant increase in very small companies joining from Swissmechanic could have jeopardised our ability to maintain the high quality of our activities. In this respect, the decision taken by the association’s highest governing body is logical.”

Swissmem Director Stefan Brupbacher says: “Swissmem will continue to work with full commitment on behalf of its member companies and Switzerland as an industrial centre. We will, of course, continue our joint work with Swissmechanic in the area of training programmes with the same level of dedication.”

The two associations had already consolidated their activities in national basic vocational training under the umbrella of Swissmem at the start of 2026.

“The challenges facing the Swiss tech industry remain considerable. It is therefore crucial that we focus our efforts on what provides tangible support to our companies: favourable framework conditions, open markets, a sufficient supply of skilled workers and strong vocational training. Swissmem will continue to champion these priorities with determination,” comments Martin Hirzel.

For further information please contact:

Noé Blancpain, Member of Management and Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Tel. +41 44 384 48 65 / mobile +41 78 748 61 63
E-mail n.blancpainnoSpam@swissmem.ch

Philippe Cordonier, Member of Management and Head of Swissmem Romandie
Tel. +41 44 384 42 30 / mobile +41 79 644 46 77
E-mail p.cordoniernoSpam@swissmem.ch