SABC Winter Newsletter 2015
Platinum Members                                                                                                                              
Gold Member        

Silver Member                    
Dear SABC Members & Friends,
The Swiss American Business Council presents its Winter 2015 newsletter for its members and friends. SABC members can submit contributions for future newsletters to: events@sabcnow.com

In this issue we feature contributions from:
SABC, Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc, GF Machining Solutions, ETH Zürich MBA, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG, Reishauer, American Lamprecht Transport Inc., UBS Financial Services, Hegele Logistic LLC, Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc, Andreas Holder, Furnishings + Accessories LLC, Switzerland Tourism, Big Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc, See past newsletters or visit our website.

SABC Hosts the Swiss Rail Association Delegation
 
On Oct. 2nd, the SABC hosted 60 members and friends, including 23 member companies of the Swiss Rail Association, at an exclusive networking reception that took place at the Metropolitan Club in the Willis Tower.  The Swiss Rail Association was on a multi-city tour in the US looking for opportunities and gathering market information in the US rail industry.  Their Chicago visit also included a visit with the Chicago Transit Authority.
SABC Introduces Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG as Newest Silver Member

SABC hosts reception to welcome Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG, SABC’s newest Silver level Member.  Mr. Thomas Fritz from Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG, was in Chicago to develop relationships for their new initiative in the Midwest and enjoyed a networking reception hosted by the SABC to introduce members and friends to Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG.
SABC to host the annual fundraiser and Christmas dinner, Dec. 2nd, 2015

On December 2nd, 2015, the SABC will host the, now traditional, SABC Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.  As always, this event will be a wonderful way to network with leading Swiss companies and personalities in the Chicagoland and Midwest region.  Great donations will be available for auction, including Business Class tickets on Swiss, First class Rail passes, and many more prizes.  We will also be feauting the Swiss Sam Moesching Jazz Trio.  For more information visit:  www.sabcnow.com/events

Being faced with the daunting realization that far less students are seeking technically proficient educations, meaning fewer mechanically sound candidates entering the workforce, Herrmann Ultrasonics has invested in the Illinois Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (ICATT). The educational system is benchmarked on the German Dual Education System, combining practice, theory and work experience.

“I was the initiator at Herrmann,” Uwe Peregi, Executive Vice President and General Manager said. “I heard about it and I said, ‘OK, we’re on board.’ That’s what happened to me in Switzerland, I was an apprentice for machine mechanics. I understand the importance of hands-on training.”

What is the draw of the ICATT program for students? A cost-free education, three years of on the job training and experience and guaranteed employment upon completion, are just a few of the programs attributes. Herrmann Ultrasonics will cover all tuition costs for their student, as well as invest in the time and materials necessary to groom a well-rounded maintenance technician, befitting the achieved associate’s degree.

In the fall of 2015, their first student was chosen (see picture), a recent graduate from a Chicago-area high school. He is now fully immersed in his training at Herrmann Ultrasonics and in his theoretical studies at Harper Community College. 

Contact: Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc., 1261 Hardt Circle, Bartlett, IL 60103, Tel. (630) 626-1626, Fax (630) 626-1627, E-mail: info@herrmannultrasonics.com; Internet: www.herrmannultrasonics.com


GF Machining Solutions and EOS Introduce Additive Manufacturing Tooling Solution

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., October 21, 2015 – GF Machining Solutions has introduced
the AgieCharmilles AM S 290 Tooling additive manufacturing system. Representing its collaboration with additive manufacturing leader EOS, the AM S 290 Tooling is based on the proven technology of the EOS M 290 metal laser sintering system.

The new AM S 290 Tooling was created to further extend the scope of solutions provided to mold and die manufacturers, and complements GF Machining Solutions existing lines of AgieCharmilles wire and die-­sinking EDMs, Mikron milling centers, Laser texturing centers and System 3R automation systems.

With the additive manufacturing provided by the AM S 290 Tooling, moldmakers can move thermal exchange closer to the surface of a mold, improving temperature homogeneity to reduce throughput times and increase part quality. The incorporation of additive manufacturing also lowers energy consumption and opens the door for programmers to improve part designs through conformal cooling and heating channels.

The ongoing collaboration between GF Machining Solutions and EOS revolves around optimal integration of additive manufacturing for mold and die shops. The AM S 290 Tooling features controls and software that allow for easy and quick integration with existing machine tools and measuring devices.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gisbert Ledvon
Director of Business Development
GF Machining Solutions LLC
847.913.5300 | gisbert.ledvon@georgfischer.com
Chuck Bates
Director of Public Relations
dgs Marketing Engineers®
317.813.2230 | bates @dgsmarketing.com
More information can be found at www.gfms.com/us.

ETH Zürich MBA in Executive in Supply Chain Management

At ETH Zurich, with its long history in teaching and research, academic excellence works in close partnership with industry practice.  Its Executive MBA in Supply Chain Management offers top-class education in general management and leadership with a truly global perspective. In particular, our MBA program provides the extraordinary opportunity to study  International

Supply Chain Management, in depth and on location. With 25 students per cohort, our classes are kept small to better meet individual learning needs, while maximizing contact to lecturers and industry VIPs. The high diversity in nationality, gender, age, professional background and industry sector also contributes to a lively classroom atmosphere with inspiring peer-to-peer exchange.

To allow busy executives to continue working, our MBA is organized for part-time study. And although the program, together with the demands of the job, can stretch students to their limits, our alumni consistently affirm that the challenge was well-worth the effort, leaving them with a network and memories for a lifetime.

Earn an advanced degree from one of the world's leading universities. Join a classroom community of business leaders selected from dozens of nations and industrial backgrounds. Meet and learn from top Professors and CEOs. The MBA ETH SCM provides this and more.  

For more information, please visit our website http://www.mba-scm.org/ or contact us at mbainfo@ethz.ch or +4144 632 28 53


August 2015 Joint Employer Decision Requires Re-Evaluation of
Your Co-Venturing and Vendor Agreements

In August 2015, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board dramatically reinterpreted its joint employer standard. Previously, joint employer status required a company not only have the contractual authority to control its vendor’s employees but also to actually exercise substantial control. Following the August 2015 decision, the National Labor Relations Board will no longer consider whether control is actually exercised. In its decision, the NLRB found that one company jointly employed its contractor’s employees and was obligated to negotiate with the contractor’s union.

In our experience, many co-venture agreements and vendor agreements (often titled master services agreements) contain substantial requirements relating to the co-venturer or vendor’s employees. These provisions may include: management reporting structures, hiring standards, employee discipline and termination standards, compensation provisions, employee scheduling, working processes and training and safety. The NLRB evaluated each of these subjects in its August 2015 decision.

Because you can no longer rely upon your actual exercise of authority to protect you from joint employer status, it is important to consider whether any of your existing co-venture and vendor contracts provide you with the authority that might make you a joint employer under this new standard. If you do not re-evaluate, you may find that you have joint-bargaining obligations, potential liability for unfair labor practices and breaches of collective-bargaining agreements, all for your contractor’s employees. Pundits speculate that the new joint employer standard may be extended to OSHA, discrimination and wage-and-hour claims.

Contact :William E. Turner II, Partner, T. 312.629.7337 will.turner@bfkn.com, www.bfkn.com
Latest edition of the SABC Business Directory of the US Midwest
 
We will be working on an updated SABC Business Directory of the US Midwest. The Directory is the leading resource of Swiss
business interests in the Chicagoland area. It will be distributed through
the Midwest to major companies and many small businesses and
provides an excellent exposure for advertisers.
 
The directory will feature entries of companies with a connection to Switzerland and location in the US Midwest. These can be for example Swiss companies with offices in the US Midwest or companies with locations in the US Midwest who are also present in the Swiss market (see current editions at http://sabcnow.com/sabc-directory/ ). If you need more information or are interested in being featured in the directory please contact Sutha Heck sutha.heck@sabcnow.com
            
 



Reishauer – A Hidden Champion                 

Reishauer is a Swiss company that has found its firm place within in the manufacturing process of automotive transmissions. More specifically, Reishauer produces gear grinding machines that ensure that car transmissions run reliably, efficiently and quietly, and contribute to reduce CO2 emissions.

While the company looks back on over 200 years of history, the foundation of today’s success began in 1945 with the invention of a specific grinding process called “continuous generating gear grinding”. This process increases the quality of gears and the productivity of gear manufacture and, at the same time, reduces manufacturing costs.

Since inventing the process in 1945, the company has maintained its leading edge in the automotive sector worldwide. Across North America, Reishauer has duplicated this leadership with American automakers unreservedly relying on the quality and productivity of Reishauer machine tools.

Inspite of its international scope of activities, Reishauer continues to believe in the exclusive manufacture in Switzerland, a country well known for its tradition of high precisison. All of the machine’s core components are made in-house in a factory near Zurich. The corner stone of Reishauer’s strategy is its circle of competence. This encompasses more than just the manufacture of machine tools. Reishauer has extended its activities into producing its own tooling and automation solutions, and offering specific technological solutions to make its customers more successful.

Given the importance of the US market, a customer support center, Reishauer Corporation in Elgin, Illinois, has been established in 1981, and has been continuously growing in line with the number of machines sold into the North American market.

More information can be found at http://www.reishauer.com
                                   
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the world’s capital of Private Banking, Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the widely respected Vontobel Group, family-owned since 1924.

Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG is dedicated to the needs of US investors. Registered as an Investment Adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we offer tax-compliant multi-currency solutions to diversify your portfolio into non-US dollar investments and geographic separation of your assets. With this geographic separation, the custody of your assets is in Switzerland, a jurisdiction of unmatched political and economic stability.
Clients of Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG benefit from Bank Vontobel AG's state-of-the-art custody platform. At the end of December 2014, Bank Vontobel AG custodied client assets in the amount of CHF 191 billion. Vontobel Group is among the best capitalized banking groups in Switzerland with a BIS Tier 1 ratio of 19.2

Contact: Thomas Fritz, CAIA, Wealth Management Advisor, Vontobel Swiss Wealth Advisors AG, Tödistrasse 17, CH-8022 Zürich, Switzerland; Phone: +41 44 287 81 92, Cell: +41 79 919 95 57 and +1 917 865 84 75 (only during US travels); E-mail: thomas.fritz@vontobeladvisors.com
 

American Lamprecht Transport Inc. moves your goods to any place – worldwide

American Lamprecht Transport Inc. was incorporated in 1969 under New York state law as a subsidiary of Lamprecht Transport Ltd., founded in 1945 by A. Lamprecht. Since then, the Swiss company is family owned. Many years of hard work and the tireless commitment of our employees have brought one success after another.
 
The specialists at our strategically located branches in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Duncan S.C. know what matters in today’s shipping business. That is why we believe in a partnership based on mutual respect among all parties – the cornerstone of a lasting and successful business relationship.

More information can be found at http://www.american-lamprecht.com

Taking charge of an inheritance

When a loved one dies, you may experience a flood of mixed emotions—combined with the uncertainty of inheriting an estate. We want to help you understand, and take charge of this complex transition, so that you can move forward with more confidence—and help ensure that you and your family are protected.

The first piece of advice we give clients who have inherited significant wealth is “take your time.” Before making big decisions, you may need time to grieve for the loved one you have lost, sort through what has been left, and assess your own perspectives on investments, spending, and even gifting to others.

In the meantime, it’s best to park any liquid assets in safe, accessible vehicles like a bank account, money market fund or short-term certificates of deposit. If you inherit stocks, bonds or mutual funds, we can help you consider whether to simply maintain the existing investment plan until you’re ready to implement a plan of your own, or determine if there are certain assets that warrant more immediate attention based on your risk tolerance. And, if you receive real estate or other physical assets, make sure that the home or other property is maintained and kept secure until you decide what to do with it.

Contact: Allen Carter, Executive Director, UBS Financial Services, Phone: 312-525-4300.


Unparalleled to traditional logistic firms, Hegele Logistic LLC has shaped its own lane by specializing in high-end technology warehousing, transportation, installations, refurbishments, repairs, and project management. Utilizing a 17.5 ton in-house crane, their warehousing capabilities stretch far beyond the normal scope. Offering customized packaging solutions for storage, the ISO 9001:2008 certified company (located in suburban Chicago just a few minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare airport) warehouses and distributes bulk items and standard pallets for clients around the world all while operating at a 99.99% inventory accuracy rating. With 100 highly trained technicians, Hegele Logistic has established years of experience installing, refurbishing, rigging, transporting, and uninstalling high-tech equipment (primarily in the medical field) and is also home to one of the largest Cryogen farms in the Midwest.

More information can be found at wwww.HegeleLogistic.com
Andreas Holder - Service and Support
Chicago residential properties make up the city’s diversified real estate landscape.
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, contact Andreas and find out his philosophy about real estate.Read more here:
http://andreasholder.koenigrubloff.com
When relocating corporate offices to Chicago, or considering appropriate accommodations for executives, Furnishings + Accessories, together with our specialty consultants, can provide architectural and interior design services for discerning commercial and residential clients.

We will guide you through the design process, acting as editors and advocates, offering distinct options, to assist you in realizing living and working environs that reflect your personal and cultural predilections.

F+A is equally skilled with contemporary, transitional or traditional styles. We offer full service design, procurement services, and the installation of furnishings, art, antiques, and accessories.

Aligning fiscal realities with allocated assets, our attentions to detail, quality and client service are exemplary. English, Spanish, and Mandarin, are familiar to the practice.

Founded and headed by Kathleen Hess, a licensed architect and interior designer in Illinois, her experience includes design of fortune 500 corporate offices, museums, law firms and private residences in the North Chicago suburbs and downtown Chicago.
Switzerland Tourism

Switzerland Tourism (ST)  is the national marketing and sales organization promoting Switzerland as a holiday, travel and conference destination for more than 90 years by federal mandate. ST positions Switzerland as a tourism brand standing for quality, naturalness, authenticity, sustainability and modernity. We are looking forward to our winter season with the American Buzz Aldrin who made history in 1969 by being the second man to walk on the moon. He fell in love with Switzerland and left his tracks in the snow for you to follow in his footsteps. Share your love for Switzerland like Buzz did. Check out MySwitzerland.com for our winter news, share your love on facebook and twitter and #InLoveWithSwitzerland.

More information can be found at www.MySwitzerland.com


KAISER (Switzerland) joined the BIG Daishowa Group and is renamed BIG KAISER as well. BIG KAISER invites SABC Members and friends to view their brand new corportate video that features this new expansion.

Upcoming Events of the SABC

Register now
Annual Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser 2015

Wednesday, December 2
6:30 pm Cocktail Reception
7:30 pm Dinner and Program
At the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
120 East Delaware Place
Chicago, IL 60611

SABC Members: $150
Non-members: $185

More info about the Christmas Event

Past Events in 2015 of the SABC
More Info


Copyright © 2015 SABC, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Swiss-American Business Council (SABC), P.O. Box 64975, Chicago, IL 60601 U.S.A.
E-Mail: events@sabcnow.com

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