150 years of economiesuisse: An association like Switzerland

For 150 years now, economiesuisse has represented the interests of competitive, internationally networked and responsible Swiss companies. Today, the umbrella economic association represents 20 cantonal chambers of commerce, around 100 industry associations and around 100,000 companies at the national level, with around two million jobs in Switzerland and another 2.1 million jobs abroad. "We have members from all parts of the country, large and small, from all sectors. This makes us an important voice for companies in the overall political process. And we are doing everything we can to ensure that this remains the case in the future," says Heinz Karrer, President of economiesuisse.

After the official founding of the association with the signing of the statutes on 12 March 1870, the name Vorort quickly became established for the SHIV. The association retained this name until 2000, when it was renamed economiesuisse. In the newly founded association, one cantonal chamber of commerce took charge of business on a rotating basis and was therefore called Vorort - as in the Tagsatzung of the Swiss Confederation before 1848, one canton was to act as "Vorort". In 2000, Vorort merged with the Society for the Promotion of the Swiss Economy (wf), founded in 1943, to form economiesuisse.

OLDEST BUSINESS UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD

To mark its 150th anniversary, economiesuisse commissioned Andrea Franc, a habilitated business historian from Basel, to trace the history of the world's oldest business umbrella organisation since 1870. She has painstakingly combed through the archives of economiesuisse and its predecessor organisations Vorort and wf and placed her findings in the context of political and economic events in Switzerland over the past 150 years. She concludes: "The history of the association reflects Switzerland's political culture, which has grown over the long term and is based on strong institutions," says Andrea Franc. And she continues: "A look back at economiesuisse's beginnings can only teach us that entrepreneurial spirit and an understanding of freedom are ultimately inseparable."

She will present her insights on various occasions during the course of this year. In addition, the book "Im Austausch mit der Welt - Schweizer Unternehmen im 19. und 20. Jahrundert" by Andrea Franc will be published in autumn by Verlag Hier und Jetzt. The chronology of the most important events for the association and the outstanding personalities in the association's history can already be found on the association's website.

DEALING WITH THE PAST AND THE FUTURE OF ECONOMIC POLICY

"Curiosity drove us," explains Monika Rühl, Chair of the Executive Board of economiesuisse, about the assignment to the historian. "What does a critical, scientifically sharpened look into the archives reveal to us? What does the history of our country's economic policy teach us? And above all: what past experiences can give us orientation in these ever faster and more dynamic times in which we live? This is the question we will be focusing on in 2020."

With events and exhibitions, videos, podcasts and online activities, and above all in discussions with politicians and society, economiesuisse encourages a differentiated debate on the past and future of Swiss economic policy. An economic policy that - embedded in Switzerland's consensual and participatory political system - has brought prosperity and social security to the citizens of our country as a framework for business. "In times of increasing confusion, orientation and trust are created by what our predecessors already cultivated and valued: dialogue between people and the joint, constructive struggle to find the best solution for our country," says Monika Rühl.

SPECIAL PUBLICATION "150 YEARS OF ECONOMIESUISSE

How can it be explained that 150 years ago the world's first national business association was founded in Switzerland of all places? A special publication commissioned by economiesuisse and prepared by "Schweizer Monat" explores this question. It is no coincidence that economiesuisse has collaborated with "Schweizer Monat" for this publication. Their two paths have been linked by common interests and concerns for over 80 years. The director of the economic development agency, which merged with the suburb to form economiesuisse, was even editor of the "Schweizer Monatshefte" at the same time from 1941 to 1962. The special publication shows how the Swiss Trade and Industry Association was founded in 1870 and what role the association plays today. Silvio Borner and Beat Kappeler talk about missed liberalizations, the power of trade associations and dark clouds on the horizon. Pioneers of the Swiss economy are portrayed in the form of the Glarus textile industry and the Emmental tool company PB Swiss Tools. Insights into the work of economiesuisse employees round off the issue published at the beginning of March.

TRADE IN CHANGE - AN EXHIBITION FROM THE ARCHIVE OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

The archives of economiesuisse and its predecessor organisations SHIV and wf are housed in the Archives of Contemporary History (AfZ) at ETH Zurich. To mark its 150th anniversary, the AfZ is presenting documents on the history of the association, thereby addressing core topics of Swiss economic policy. The exhibition shows exemplary documents from the archive. It sheds light on the political role and the substantive work of the umbrella economic association in different phases from the 19th century to the present day. Excerpts from interviews with contemporary witnesses as well as industrial and educational films provide a lively glimpse into the past. This recalls contemporary features and stimulates reflection on the present and the future. The exhibition at the Archive of Contemporary History at Hirschengraben 62 in Zurich runs from 18 May to 3 July 2020.

Further information on the history of economiesuisse and on current anniversary activities can be found on our anniversary website.

To the anniversary website