SVTI with solid result

The 154th Association Meeting of the SVTI (Swiss Association for Technical Inspections) took members, patrons and guests to Neuchâtel in western Switzerland. As usual, the statutory part was kept short, so that the supporting program offered participants more time and opportunity for information and networking.

New member of the Board of Directors and adaptation of the Articles of Association

After twelve years on the SVTI Board, Daniel Rebsamen, who is also Vice President, has stepped down for reasons of age, as stated in the media release. As his direct successor, the voters unanimously elected René Kian Sarrafian, a qualified mechanical engineer and head of the nuclear fuel department at the Gösgen-Däniken AG nuclear power plant. Fortunately, the SVTI has repeatedly succeeded in participating in federal research projects in the recent past. This necessitated a corresponding selective extension of the purpose statement in the statutes, which refers to the implementation of research activities and the development of innovative technologies and products, particularly in the fields of technical safety supervision and the manufacture and operation of technical plants of all kinds, as it further states.

Review, Outlook, Projects

The geopolitical situation, disrupted supply chains, skyrocketing energy prices or the shortage of skilled workers were just some of the challenges that had to be overcome in 2022. According to SVTI, the operating business nevertheless closed with a very solid result. The consolidated accounts - also known as the consolidated financial statements - include not only the association but also the subsidiaries and represent the overall business of the SVTI Group. The total turnover of the SVTI Group amounts to 47.5 million Swiss francs. This sum is just below the previous year's figure, but is in line with expectations. According to SVTI, various business areas have developed positively and the entire organization has proven to be robust and well positioned.

The international NDT conference held in Switzerland in the year under review under the auspices of the Nuclear Inspectorate was a highlight that will have an impact in the future. The event was a great success with international appeal.

The SVTI Group was also pleased to receive the prestigious "Swiss Employer Award" in the category "100 - 249 Employees" based on an employee survey (cf. here) . The "Swiss Employer Award" is the leading prize for determining employer attractiveness and, as an award, creates a leap of faith in the search for future employees, as the SVTI emphasizes.

Technology-oriented projects

Within the framework of the Innovation Fund, the SVTI has initiated and further advanced various technology-oriented projects for the further development of services as well as testing procedures. These included, for example, the use of drones for measurements on components, robot- or crawler-assisted inspections, or research into the safe handling of hydrogen technology.

These aspects, a good start into 2023, the commitment to research and development, the investments in good skilled workers and innovations would strengthen the SVTI brand and allow it to look to the future with confidence.

Keynote address "The Armed Forces, Switzerland's cadre".

The keynote speaker was Colonel i Gst Mathias Müller, who spoke on the topic of "The Army, Switzerland's Forge of Cadres". Mathias Müller, who in an earlier NZZ article was also referred to as the chief recruiter of the Swiss Armed Forces, is today active in the function of project manager for top events of the Swiss Armed Forces, and is also the author of several books. With his presentation, he gave the participants an understanding of practical leadership issues and the military leadership philosophy of today. He also explained that leadership, with its many facets, plays a fundamental role in both the military and civilian sectors.