Raiffeisen presents its Business Award Eastern Switzerland

This year, both Raiffeisen business awards for SMEs in Eastern Switzerland were awarded to companies located in the canton of St.Gallen. The “Golden David” trophy – alongside prize money of 10,000 Swiss francs – was presented on Thursday at the Raiffeisen Entrepreneurial Center in Gossau (RUZ) to OekoSolve AG, which is based in Pons. The expert jury comprising nine members chose the market leaders for high-tech filters for wood-burning stoves up to 300 kilowatts as its winner across two rounds of voting. The company’s idea: every wood-burning stove should feature a fine dust filter, just as cars are fitted with catalytic converters. In a press release, the jury explained that its reasoning in awarding the prize to the Sarganserland-based OekoSolve AG came down to the management’s commitment towards sustainability, including its focus on social aspects. In this regard, the company promotes part-time work and proactively recruits employees aged 50+. OekoSolve impressed the jury with an entrepreneurial spirit and consistent willingness to develop the company further, the press release explains.

Streule + Alder AG, which is based in Rorschach, demonstrated just how successful and sustainable entrepreneurship works. The specialists in building shell constructions and solar panel installations received the most votes in a public ballot, taking home a prize of 5,000 Swiss francs in the process. The Jury particularly praised the company’s constant investments in educating and further training its staff, the innovative products, machines and processes in addition to its commitment towards the energy revolution.

The Raiffeisen Business Award Eastern Switzerland is awarded on an annual basis by the third-largest banking group in Switzerland to celebrate exceptional entrepreneurial achievements by SMEs.