"Schaffhausen's strategic location at the heart of Europe persuaded us."
Technology company Garmin is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile navigation systems for use in the automotive, marine and aeronautical sectors as well as wearables for sport and fitness. Garmin moved its headquarters to Schaffhausen in 2010. The decisive factors were Schaffhausen‘s strategic location at the heart of Europe and its proximity to Zurich airport.
In 2010, when Garmin was looking for a new location for its headquarters, the company evaluated several regions in Switzerland before deciding on Schaffhausen, where the company’s international HQ has now been based for 8 years now. Schaffhausen’s strategic position was one of the key factors, as Garmin-Vice President Andrew Etkind explains. "Schaffhausen may be located on the edge of Switzerland, but it occupies a strategic location at the heart of Europe and is right on the border to a huge market in Germany.", Etkind sets out. Additionally, for an international business, quick and easy access to Zurich airport was also an important criterion. "We can get to key business destinations such as London or Paris very quickly." According to Etkind, who frequently travels as part of his role, a further benefit is that Zurich airport is one of the best in the world in his experience.
Great support from the Economic Promotion Team
The Economic Promotion Team in Schaffhausen also played a vital role in Garmin’s decision-making. "They looked after us really well when we were evaluating Schaffhausen as an option for our headquarters", Etkind emphasises. The Economic Promotion Team helped to find premises, put Garmin in touch with the local tax authorities and generally explained how things work in Switzerland. "It was striking how keen and supportive all the parties involved were. That wasn’t as universally the case in other cantons.", Etkind goes on. The Vice President of this leading navigation specialist was particularly impressed with the Economic Promotion Team’s help in making contact with other businesses which had made the move to Schaffhausen. "The discussions we had with those businesses certainly helped persuade us that Schaffhausen was the right choice."
And today, around 8 years after first setting up its HQ in Schaffhausen, the business is still in regular contact with the Economic Promotion Team and with government officials locally. "We really value that on-going dialogue and support.", Etkind says.
"Schaffhausen may be located on the edge of Switzerland, but it occupies a strategic location at the heart of Europe and is right on the border to a huge market in Germany."
Andrew Etkind, Vice President Garmin
Exceptional quality of life in the city on the Rhine River
The company’s staff enjoy the exceptional quality of life in Schaffhausen, on the banks of the River Rhine, and in the wider area which takes in Zurich. "We have no problem persuading staff in other locations to join us in Schaffhausen, whether that’s personnel in England, Germany or the USA, they all recognise the benefits Schaffhausen and the wider area have to offer.", Etkind goes on. "In fact, they generally don’t want to leave.", he underlines. You can walk along the River Rhine or take a swim in the river at lunchtime in the city’s historic swimming-pool, the Rhybadi. Some Garmin staff have moved to the area and made it their permanent home. And those seeking the thrills of a metropolis can just jump on a train and get to downtown Zurich in no time. Etkind is full of praise for the public transport system in Switzerland overall and in Schaffhausen in particular. "That’s another benefit when we are trying to recruit new staff.", according to Garmin’s Vice President.
Long-term plans to remain in Schaffhausen
It’s hardly surprising that the tech company, which produces wearables - smartwatches and digital fitness monitors – as well as navigation devices, is planning to remain in Schaffhausen in the long-term. "We are happy and content in Schaffhausen and so we can certainly see ourselves operating from here in 2030.", he concludes.
In 2018, Garmin employs 23 staff in the Canton of Schaffhausen, principally in its Distribution Centre which moved from the city centre into larger premises on the SIG site in neighbouring Neuhausen am Rheinfall at the start of 2017 to cope with the steady growth in the business in Switzerland.
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