Opening of the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Fair from 11 to 14 June 2013

Geneva, 11 June 2013. The 2013 edition of the EPHJ (Environnement Professionnel Horlogerie-Joaillerie) – EPMT (Environnement Professionnel MicroTechnologies) - SMT (Swiss Medical Technologies) annual international trade fair will take place at Palexpo Geneva from 11 to 14 June 2013.

Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, Swiss Secretary of State for Education, Research and Innovation will be present to open this twelfth edition of the Fair, along with State Councillors Isabel Rochat and Pierre-François Unger, the Mayor of Geneva Sandrine Salerno, and André Colard and Olivier Saenger, co-founders of the Fair.

“For 11 years now, EPHJ-EPMT-SMT has reflected the dynamic character of several sectors of the subcontracting industry, which are continuously innovating and capitalizing on this characteristically Swiss expertise. If we want to meet the challenges we will be facing, we need to bring together our strengths, optimize our training system, and not overlook any opportunity or possibility. This is the global approach also being taken by SEFRI, the newly created State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation,” said Mauro Dell’Ambrogio.

Keeping in tune with the times, the organizers were eager to address one of the industry’s major concerns, namely the shortage of skilled labour and, consequently, the quality of training. A survey was therefore carried out among the heads of a large number of Swiss companies in the subcontracting industry.

Conducted between April and May 2013, it showed that the vast majority of them are indeed having to cope with a shortage of skilled labour, and that an even greater number predict this will be a source of difficulty in the future. This is, in fact, viewed as one of the main risk factors for the development of their business, with over 60% of company heads anticipating an increase in headcount over the next 3 to 5 years. This good news demands appropriate measures at all levels.

Company heads are hoping that their professional associations will fully play their role of intermediaries between their industry base and the cantonal and federal authorities, as well as educational circles and training centres. It appears urgent that all these stakeholders sit down together in order to adapt training to the needs on the ground and to communicate a strong message to young people that restores the value of technical and manual skills. Details of the survey will be available at www.ephj.ch as of this week.

In order to address in greater depth these issues. so crucial to the profession, the organizers are offering exhibitors and visitors the chance to attend roundtables and talks by key personalities from politics, academia and industry throughout the day on Tuesday 11 June.

In addition to the training theme, the program of talks, roundtables and exhibitions also includes an invitation to participants to discover the works of a number of well-known designers and creators, which will be on prominent display, and also, on Wednesday 12 June, to discuss creative ingenuity, an often overlooked side of watchmaking and jewellery. Creativity and innovation will also be among the subjects discussed at the roundtables on Thursday 13 June on the theme of synergies and innovative materials, during which exhibitors and visitors will be invited to relate their own experiences. For further details visit the Fair website.

“We are aiming most of all to highlight technological synergies. Thanks to the fruitful exchanges between the different sectors of our Trade Fair, the subcontracting industry has been able to develop considerably and to regenerate. We know that this is sector is growing rapidly, and that we must support this momentum with the utmost professionalism. That is what we have been aiming to do for the last eleven years, maintaining close ties to our exhibitors. I think we can all be proud of this collective success,” stated André Colard, co-founder of the Trade Fair.

Exclusive preview of a range of technological innovations

A large number of exhibitors will use this platform to showcase their latest technological innovations. For the second year, the Exhibitors’ Grand Prix, established to encourage the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial courage, will again be awarded to a company which has distinguished itself by innovating, leveraging unique knowhow or successfully developing its business outside of Switzerland and Europe.

Professionals will therefore be meeting at Palexpo from 11 to 14 June for this new edition of EPJH-EPMT-SMT.

Entry is free for all professionals. We recommend that they reserve their badge in advance on the Fair website at www.ephj.ch.

André Colard - Olivier Saenger – Edouard Debétaz

EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Committee