Industry study 2018: Key figures of the medical technology industry

Swiss medical technology creates 4,000 jobs in two years

Around 10,000 different product families reflect the diversity of the field of medical technology. The spectrum ranges from plasters, syringes, and wheelchairs to hearing aids and heart pacemakers, and culminates in CT scanners. With its approximately 58,500 positions, the Swiss medtech industry contributes 1.1% of all employees within the country, representing the highest percentage share in Europe. Furthermore, no other European country has such a high enterprise density in this category. According to the 2018 Sector Study (SMTI), the Swiss medtech industry is comprised of around 1,400 companies; including 25% manufacturers, 35% suppliers, 15% distributors, and 25% specialised service providers.

Almost all medtech companies are SMEs. 93%  have fewer than 250 employees. The seven percent of companies that employ more than 250 individuals are mainly manufacturers. These include Swiss companies with global operations such as Roche Diagnostics, Sonova, Ypsomed and Straumann. However, the Swiss medtech scene is also strongly influenced by the production plants and branches of foreign corporations such as Johnson & Johnson Medical, Biotronics, Medtronic, Zimmer Biomet or B. Braun.

​Constant sales growth

The high enterprise and employee density testify to the high economic importance of Swiss medical technology. According to SMTI Report 2018, it generated sales of 15.8 billion Swiss francs – which corresponds to 2.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The industry has seen a constant growth of around six percent a year since 2012. This is significantly higher than the GDP, and that of other industries in Switzerland.

The growth in sales of medical technology in Switzerland is mainly driven by exports. With a volume of CHF 11.3 billion, the industry comprises 5.1% of the country’s total exports, and the trade surplus for Switzerland accounts for approximately 5.9%. Of this, the USA and Germany are the most important export and import markets.

​High innovative power

The share of medical technology in Swiss health care expenditure is only five percent. New products and state-of-the-art medical procedures continually improve the quality of patient care and increase cost efficiency. Swiss companies are competitive at a global level thanks to high-tech devices, 3D and robot technologies, eHealth solutions, or combined pharmaceutical and medical products. Domestic medical technology boasts the highest density of patent applications in Europe.

​A strong workplace

To this day, the medtech industry has been able to benefit from the attractive Swiss workplace. Favourable framework conditions include an innovation-oriented environment, continuing access to highly qualified specialists, and the relatively low corporate taxes. Traditional advantages are the high quality, first class universities and research institutes, as well as political and economic stability. Regional micro-clusters of companies and institutions historically evolved from the watchmaking, machinery, and pharmaceutical industries. As a result, the entire Swiss medtech value chain is able to source its needs from its own immediate surroundings.

Swiss Medtech represents more than 750 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 67,500 employees and a contribution of 11.5% to the positive trade balance, medical technology is an economically significant sector in Switzerland. Swiss Medtech advocates for conditions that enable the medtech industry to perform at peak capacity and provide first-class medical care.

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