"I am always surprised at what new things are being ventured in our region"

Dorothee Auwärter is President of the Board of Directors of the Tösstal-based family business Kuhn Rikon. At the upcoming SME Forum in mid-November, she will be speaking on stage about management challenges. We met her for an interview.

Ms Auwärter, what have been the biggest management challenges for Kuhn Rikon over the past five years?
Dorothee Auwärter: There are a whole host of challenges that management has faced and continues to face. Supply chains that came to a standstill; material and transport prices that exploded; stores closed worldwide and travel restrictions during the pandemic; increasing geopolitical tensions; rising electricity prices and uncertainty as to whether there would even be enough electricity; the strong Swiss franc; constantly changing standards and regulations, for example on materials and packaging; the shortage of skilled workers and much more. Setting the right priorities in this storm and not losing focus is challenging. At Kuhn Rikon, everything from overload to short-time working was involved. Taking the employees along on this journey and ensuring that the organization does not overheat is also an important management task.

Dorothee Auwärter is the first female President of the Board of Directors of Kuhn Rikon.

How did the company deal with these challenges?
Of course, good crisis management is important. The Board of Directors met more frequently and supported the management wherever possible. It was also important to keep finances, and liquidity in particular, under control. And it is always important to sharpen our focus and deliberately not do certain things. We maintain very open communication with our employees. This transparency and honesty, as well as the closeness of us as the owner family, also helps in challenging times.

How do you rate the SME landscape in the Winterthur region?
As very diverse and lively. I am always amazed at everything that is offered, produced, developed and constantly ventured in our region.

How important do you think events like the SME Forum are for Winterthur as a business location?
Very important. The exchange is valuable. Talking to others who are in similar situations brings new ideas and perspectives. And sometimes just the confirmation that you are not alone with a problem is encouraging. In addition, we all know that certain challenges are easier to overcome in a group or partnership. Here too, a good local network can open doors.

What defines the Winterthur economic region for you?
We can look back on a long and very successful industrial history. We can build on this. This is demonstrated by the large number of large, medium-sized and small companies that are active in our region and offer a diverse range of services and products. This diversity is wonderful and helps the region not to be dependent on a single company. In addition, we have a highly recognized and practice-oriented educational institution in the form of the ZHAW. The Home of Innovation and the Startup Nights bring a breath of fresh air. And finally, the Winterthur region is also simply a good place to live and a place I like to call home.

Where do you see further strengths and where do you see any weaknesses in the region?
I have already mentioned a lot. I am also convinced that the Winterthur region is well positioned in terms of sustainability. Various companies are taking this issue seriously. In my perception, however, we are finding it somewhat difficult to develop our own profile alongside the big city of Zurich and the airport region. But perhaps this Winterthur reticence is once again a strength or at least a characteristic that makes us likeable.

Interview: October 2023