"We're coming by bike!"
Every year in June, we join in the fun of Pro Velo Switzerland's 'Bike-to-Work' initiative . In May and June around 54,000 cyclists hit the pedals and ride their bikes to work. The goal: half-way to work So what does that mean now for the valiant PB Swiss Tools cyclists who took part in the initiative? Do they have to take their bikes for a whole month – no matter what the weather? "Pro Velo Switzerland's aim in all this is to encourage people to cycle at least half-way to work during the course of the program," reports Katja Gygax, PA in HR and Finance at PB Swiss Tools. The kilometers everyone rode were registered in an app – but only the way to work counted. Anyone wanting to ride an e-bike just had to register: PB Swiss Tools found the bike and covered most of the rental for the period. Promoting health – and team spirit Most importantly, it's all about having fun: "We don't monitor people – there's no pressure and there are certainly no penalties if you don't ride half way," says Katja Gygax. The initiative is all about promoting a healthier lifestyle and boosting team spirit. "Most of all, it's just great when people join in. And over again we see these cyclists in a good mood, and it's great for networking." Up for grabs: shopping vouchers People ride in teams of four – this provides the necessary motivation and is just more fun. And the fact that there are prizes to win is an added incentive. Overall, ten prizes were up for grabs: · for the most kilometers ridden; · for the person who rode their bike every day; · for a randomly chosen team; and · for seven other participating teams, also chosen by drawn by lots. The prizes were shopping vouchers redeemable in the region. The winning team won a voucher for an evening meal together. Impressions of 'Bike to Work' riders #biketowork #bicycle #health #teamspirit #fitness #proveloschweiz #pb #workwiththebest #emmental
She makes women strong in a man’s world
On the wall behind Eva Jaisli is a rack filled with tools – screwdrivers, hex keys and multifunctional tools, all neatly arranged by shape and color. The products made by PB Swiss Tools, based in Wasen in Emmental, stand for solid, Swiss craftsmanship, they are accurate, practical and even elegant. That fits in well with Eva Jaisli herself, who took over as CEO in 1997 – the same year that Spitex Bern, a home care provider, was founded. This gracile 59-year-old is packed with energy and obviously has everything under control. She smiles and her cool blue eyes flash passionately. «I’ve always been creative and love to take on responsibility», she explains. She never found it hard to recognize trends from analyses and generate visions, «and, thankfully, I have been blessed with the energy and health to implement them». She needed both when she finished her teacher training and went on to study psychology and social work, followed by a master’s degree in business administration and an executive master’s degree in international marketing, while bringing up three daughters and a son “on the side”, as it were, who are now aged 23 to 32. «I just did what I was interested in», she explains. «When the children were still small, I made sure I was always home at the promised time – I feel reliability is just as important in the family as it is in the company.» It was while she was studying that she realized that women have to work extra hard to be strong. And she has been doing that ever since. In an industrial sector that is dominated by men in the same way home care is dominated by women, she deliberately supports women that she feels have potential. At PB Swiss Tools, a third of all employees are women, in all functions, and have been for years. «Diversity» is Eva Jaisli’s magic spell: «Whether old or young, men or women – mixed teams enable them all to contribute their experience in the most optimal way.» She is no friend of fixed quotas, but she notices time and again how many women have a unique way of demonstrating economy and effectiveness: «In meetings, they begin to get restless if they notice that there is no progress being made because they cannot afford to let that happen in their fields: they know that there are other tasks waiting for them and automatically allocate their time economically.» Eva Jaisli herself is considered to be a positive example of how to manage a business, in 2017 she was placed third in the women's «entrepreneur of the year» contest. In her eyes, with responsibility for a company with 160 employees that makes 12 million tools a year, Spitex Bern, with a total of 4800 employees who put in 1.88 million hours of home care every year, «is a highly important economic factor». And this extends far beyond its turnover figures. As an employer, she sees over and over again how important good care is when somebody is ill. «Of course, if someone’s ill, we offer paid care days and direct support when there is a crisis. But when it comes to actual care, we rely on Spitex.» Eva Jaisli experienced herself how valuable this help is when her father became seriously ill but wanted at all costs to stay in his own home. «Thanks to Spitex, he was able to spend his last days at home, for which we were all very grateful.» After a brief moment’s silence, she continues, and talks about the «steadily increasing importance of the home care sector that combines social capability with economy». As Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Emmental Hospital, she is constantly being reminded of the importance of outpatient follow-up treatment: «When home care providers ensure that patients can be released from hospital quicker, can recover more effectively at home and their family members can return to their work quicker, this is an invaluable economic win-win situation.» At first sight, one might think the two businesses were almost diametrically opposed but there are clear overlaps in values between PB Swiss Tools and home care organizations. «Continuity and innovation» are crucial to Eva Jaisli: good solutions have to stay good but to make progress you also have to try something new. «That applies to Spitex as well: besides existing tasks, they will always have to deal effectively with new challenges.» Another key word is quality: in both businesses things can quickly go amiss if some staff do not apply themselves to the tasks with enthusiasm. To enable her staff to do this always, Eva Jaisli places great store by good working conditions, she knows everyone’s name, gets involved in occupational safety, career development, and job satisfaction. «Job satisfaction exists to a greater extent when people have the feeling that they are doing something worthwhile», she feels. She smiles and points out that the staff of home care organizations do not have to look far for meaningfulness. Eva Jaisli straightens her blazer and sets off for her next appointment, an address she is to make. When speaking in public, she often uses such pithy statements as «commitment to leadership with our hearts and minds» or «balance between success and fulfillment». These might come across as buzz words if she did not take a personal interest on a day-to-day basis in and get involved in everything from A to Z. The tools on the rack behind her are well suited to her. Straightforward, no frills but definitely elegant.
And another film prize!
Since 1963, the International Industrial Film Days have taken place every second year in Vienna. This, the oldest industrial film festival for the German-speaking world (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and South Tyrol), is the largest competition for audiovisual media in all fields. 2018 is a record year: with 363 entries, the number of contributors this year was higher than ever before. «Silberne Victoria» The decision will be taken on 16/17 May 2018: for the 28th time, the best film productions from many categories are to be honored with a prize: our contribution, «Swiss Clients 2017», produced in conjunction with Maybaum Film and Avista Films, has been shortlisted as one of 73 productions. As a result, we have already won a «Silberne Victoria» (Silver Victoria) in category «E – Integrated Communication». And it may even be transformed into a golden one: on 17 May, the shortlisted candidates will be publicly screened in Vienna. This will be the moment when the decision as to which candidates receive a silver prize and which receive a golden prize will be taken. Praise for our film productions This is not the first time our film productions have won prizes: our marketing films have also been honored at the Edi. 16 and the Hamburg World Media Festival. We commented on those prizes in this report. More information: www.wirtschaftsfilmtage.com
Encouraging girls’ interest in technical matters
Although it is possible today for nearly anyone to learn nearly anything, there are still jobs that are typically for boys or typically for girls. In a technical context, it is men who dominate the market although many technical professions are also felt by women to be exciting – even if they have not got the muscle power that is generally associated with men. With screwdrivers and drills During our experimental workshop in April 2018, 13 girls aged from 10 to 13 took the opportunity to fiddle around with screwdrivers, drills and many other tools. Under the capable supervision of our experienced employee, they designed and built a small, automated machine with figures that revolved and moved up and down. The machine was driven either by manually turning a crank or by attaching a small battery-powered motor. The highlight was then the arrival of parents, brothers & sisters to whom the girls proudly presented their machines. We were there on that day and produced a short video about it. Have fun! Impressions from the experimental workshop #PBSwissTools #140PBST #Video #tinkering #Workshop #girls #machine #mechanics #motor #tools #screwdriver #drillmachine #workwiththebest Lire la suite: www.tuefteln.ch
Tool case valued at 3,000 Swiss francs to be won!
Show us how you work with our tools: What do you use? How do you service, repair or tune your bikes – or other mobile frames with wheels and rollers? We are looking for the best, the coolest, the craziest and the most exceptional video – no longer than 60 seconds, posted to our competition page. And the winner will receive a PB Swiss Tools tool box valued at 3,000 Swiss francs. Contest #140pbst182 #video #contest #tools #PBSwissTools #DIY #wheels #bike #car #roller #scooter #inlineskates #workwiththebest
Photo contest: And the winner is ...
Our competition, "Show us where your hammer hangs" is now closed. We would like to say a big thank you everyone who took part for their amazing contributions. Cool guys, funny pics, cute photos, amusing image breath-taking photography – we had everything. Truly amazing! Entitled "Gunsmithery – the workshop", David Hervens' strong and meaningful image took first prize. For a long time, there was a neck-and-neck race with Bodo Bimboese's humorous pic. But in the end, David Hervens pulled ahead, receiving 1,030 votes from the Community. Congratulations! 1st Place David Hervens, Belgium 2nd Place Mamma mia! Bodo Bimboese, Germany 3rd Place Mechanic’s tool chair by Hiro Koiso Join in – it's worth it! The next competition begins on 15 May 2018. Impressions of other photos: Allen Long Simon Barth, Switzerland Konstantin Schneider, Germany RemTech Veen Thorsten Heinsberg, Germany Nick Vespa, USA Frederic Andres, Switzerland Steve Lattari, Australia Ryuji Kondou, Japan
“We want to create things”
Image: Men at work: Kurt Neuenschwander, Nik Menz and Micha Bürgi operate the “Werftstatt" in Burgdorf (l. to r.) The Werftstatt is to be found on Einschlagweg in Burgdorf. This is where Micha Bürgi, Nik Menz and Kurt Neuenschwander dropped anchor as a joint partnership of independent craftsmen. They take on woodworking, plastic shaping, boat building and even vehicle repair work, when Kurt Neuenschwander restores vintage cars and camper vans. A close involvement with water Micha Bürgi is a trained boatbuilder and lecturer at the vocational training college in Zofingen, where boatbuilders and boat mechanics are trained. A love of boats is in his blood: “Both my grandfather and great-grandfather were seamen.” He, too, was filled with the longing to get involved with water: at the age of 23, after completing teacher training, he started vocational training as a boatbuilder at a boatyard in Nidau called Scheurer. He stayed there 14 years “but then it was time for something new”. Nik and Micha knew each other from their time at Scheurer Boatyard, where they worked together for about 2 years. Setting up their own business idea together seemed a natural step. That “something new” was an empty factory building in Burgdorf, on Einschlagweg. “I was interested in more than just repairing and servicing boats. I want to build my own - from the keel up”, Micha Bürgi explains his dream. Nik Menz and Kurt Neuenschwander also had ideas for the project and had located a workshop in Burgdorf. Nik Menz has salt water in his veins: his grandfather was also a ship’s captain and sailed the North Sea, and now his grandson, a trained carpenter, is closely involved with boats and, indeed, anything made of wood. He also constructs small items of furniture and does conversion work in private residences. The garage in the Werftstatt boatyard The third member of the team, Kurt Neuenschwander, does not have a woodworking background. He is an electrician and information technology expert, employed by another company for 80 per cent of the time. His pulse steps up a gear when he can work on old VW Beetles, camper vans, vintage cars and engines. He is responsible for the garage in the workshop, and if there is a brief lull in work for customers, he works on his own VW bus. There is one main thing that links these three, and that is the desire to be creative: “We want to create things." With tools made by PB Swiss Tools The tools used in the workshop are PB Swiss Tools. As part of our sponsoring activities we support young entrepreneurs by providing them with tools – including SwissGrip screwdrivers. These are renowned for their usability in moist environments, so the grip on the handle remains positive even when wet. There are more reasons why Micha Bürgi appreciates the SwissGrip: “I like to be able to feel the screw when I’m using a screwdriver.” Boatbuilding is a tough business Is there a future for boatbuilding in Switzerland? “It's not easy”, agree Micha Bürgi and Nik Menz. “The market is small and Burgdorf is not right by the lake. But we are convinced that, by providing good work, we can build up a reputation and a solid customer base." Finding customers is not a problem: "I could take on more jobs if I had more time", Micha Bürgi expresses his regret. But he intends to keep his job as a training college lecturer: “I like teaching and it gives me financial security, and that is also good for the family." Our sponsoring activities support individuals, companies and institutions that are directly involved in the trades. These projects are exclusively located in Switzerland. Anybody interested in finding out more should read our Sponsoring Guidelines . More information: werftstatt.ch Impressions of the Werftstatt Salt water in his veins: Nik Menz working on a boat in the Werftstatt boatyard. Craftsmen sand by hand. Team work: all join in to complete the job in the Werftstatt boatyard. Micha Bürgi swears by PB Swiss Tools: “They are simply the best.” In the workshop, Kurt Neuenschwander's heart beats that little bit faster when he is restoring old camper vans – and other vehicles. Micha Bürgi on SwissGrip: “I like to be able to feel the screw when I’m using a screwdriver.” Three men and their baby: the workshop is a joint project. #SwissGrip#SwissQuality#PBSwissTools#140PBST#workwiththebest#screwdrivers#captain#werftstatt #boatbuilding#dreamjob#teamwork#woodworking#longingforwater#boatbuilder#makeityourself
«Ergonomic work spaces are a benefit to everyone»
Ergonomic work spaces improve the wellbeing of employees and workers. We place great store by ensuring that people working for us have the ideal working conditions that take their health and wellbeing into account. We are supported in this by Büro Jäggi AG in Burgdorf. We asked them what points are most important. What does ergonomics in the workplace really involve? In the main it includes height-adjustable workplaces and ergonomically designed seating that can be individually adjusted to suit anyone. Products like this can be employed both in office environments and in production, where the working conditions differ, in the choice of the materials used, for example. What different needs are there? What is the key ergonomic focus in planning office workplaces? A key point is that it is possible either to stand or to sit at will. The human body does not react well to just standing or just sitting. By using adjustable stand-up and sit-down desks, it is possible to bring variety into the office, what is referred to as active seating, so the body is often made to change position. The height of the desk can be individually set by just pressing a button. A key point to note is that the forearm should be held at a right-angle. And what points are important in production environments? The basic ergonomic needs are similar but the choice of materials is critical. In production, a seat must meet different requirements and the seat is not upholstered, for example, but equipped with a more resilient material so that if someone sits down with a tool in their rear pocket, it does not immediately rip a hole in the seat cover. Those working in production also appreciate the fact that these seats do not make them perspire anything like as much. For example, they have perforated padding for the seat backs for a thermoregulating impact. Are there any other products that help to improve ergonomics in the workplace? For people that have to stand, padded mats are a great aid to improve comfort, because they cushion jolts and prevent workers tiring. It is a well-known fact that the staff benefit from such measures. But do improved ergonomic work spaces benefit the company as well? Most definitely. The work atmosphere is improved if staff feel better while they are working. We are pleased that an increasing number of companies like PB Swiss Tools are taking up the baton and doing everything they can to ensure this comfortable working conditions.
140 years of PB Swiss Tools: Limited Edition for the anniversary
Our roll-up and tool cases are much appreciated as high-grade, original and personal gifts – for birthdays, confirmation, weddings or as a house-warming present. This is hardly surprising: good tightening tools are always welcome – and these are the ideal choice whether in assembly work, at home or in high-tech applications. To celebrate our 140-year anniversary, we are offering our classic tools as Limited Editions : Roll-up case: Set of screwdrivers with seven 23.6 carat gold-plated interchangeable blades and the SwissGrip handle, two electronics screwdrivers for slotted heads and with rotating caps and an interchangeable reamer blade in a space-saving, black roll-up case. Tool case: Gray tool case with seven interchangeable blades and the SwissGrip handle, a colored ball point hex key L-wrench set for hexagon socket screws, two electronics screwdrivers for slotted heads with rotating caps, an interchangeable reamer blade and a voltage tester with a clip. Both compact PB Swiss Tools sets are ideal starter sets with professional quality hand tools. Order now
PB Swiss Tools first and foremost in the Hyperloop race
Swissloop – the successful Swiss contribution to Hyperloop The idea is actually incredibly simple: to send goods and people through an almost airless tube – similar to a pneumatic tube – in a capsule at around 1000 km/h without any resistance. However, the enormous challenges this poses only become apparent in practice. The aim is to optimize the ratio between weight, performance and braking force and to ensure stability even at a high speed. Ultimately, however, drive technology also turns out to be a central issue. Here, you have to completely rethink what seem to be established principles and not succumb to the temptation of an apparent quick solution. These obvious parallels to the innovation philosophy of PB Swiss Tools were the reason why we decided to provide the project with generous support. LIM – forgoing quick success in favor of the long-term goal Instead of relying on a fast-moving speed success with a conventional electric motor like its competitors, the Swissloop crew decided back in 2019 to develop its own linear induction motor (LIM), which is predestined for long-term practical use. The receipt of the Elon Musk Innovation Award and the ranking as the fastest LIM-driven pod have impressively confirmed just how right this future strategy is. Drive systems based on wandering magnetic fields are actually already used in some modern rides in theme parks. But even though the development process for the highly complex non-contact pod drive has also been something of a rollercoaster ride, the ETH crew’s LIM is in a completely different technological league. In comparison to the previous version, the Swissloop team has succeeded in doubling the maximum attainable speed of the 2020 pod. And the successor team has already been put together to further perfect this future technology. At their side once again are the precision tools from PB Swiss Tools. From the ESD bit holder to the DigiTorque V02 – PB Swiss Tools at the start with its entire range The specific demands placed on the tools for the pod project are very high. The turnable heads on the electronic screwdrivers , coded according to the screw profile, help in the fine adjustment of set screws. The Slim screwdrivers , fully insulated up to 1000 V, allow precise work to be carried out, even in the tight spaces between components. The mechanics team particularly appreciates the key L-wrenches , which are color-coded according to size and, with their extra-short 100° key part and ball point, often make component assembly in such a compact arrangement possible in the first place. With its ability to precisely reproduce the desired torque when tightening screws, the DigiTorque V02 has naturally become a loyal team member in view of the many delicate materials, such as aluminum, carbon and plexiglass. What’s more, the colleagues from the electrical team are extremely grateful that the mechanical team works strictly with ESD tools from PB Swiss Tools in certain phases... Competition pod or baby pod – missing specifications boost innovative strength But what if there are no precise guidelines for the coming competition when the baton is passed from one academic year to the next? Will the new course be 10 km long? Does it perhaps include a bend? In December 2019, when no new specifications were provided by the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, the Swissloop crew, driven by an extraordinary spirit of innovation, decided to take a bold step: Instead of building a competition pod with unclear specifications, the team dedicated itself to performing fundamental research, component development and the validation of the systems with its own objectives. The result: a fully functional “Baby Pod” prototype, as it is affectionately known, on a smaller scale. The pod was developed in a consistently modular fashion with the clever idea of multiplying the individual systems at a later date, which would give them the chance to scale the pod to a competition pod. This approach in itself reveals the team’s unconventional innovative spirit, which we also consistently pursue at PB Swiss Tools. Electrics vs. mechanics – individual teams join forces through the sharing of tasks In view of the many technical challenges and the desired modular design, two competence teams were formed: one for the electrical systems, such as LIM, the inverter, control system, sensors and battery, and the other for the mechanical components such as the chassis, brakes, undercarriage and cladding. The improvements achieved with this strategy compared to the previous model are significant. Mechanically speaking, a constructive weight reduction of the ribbed structure from 11 kg to 2.5 kg as well as a 40% higher braking efficiency were achieved with the innovative pneumatic system. The electrical team developed a new type of software with 30,000 lines of code for inverter and LIM controlling as well as communication between the individual system components. Sophisticated and in parts highly miniaturized sensor technology also ensures absolute control at all times during operation. The whole system is so complex that 148 days of processing time on the high-performance computer at ETH Zurich were required just to simulate the working of the linear induction motor. A conventional computer would have needed a good 17 years for this calculation. The loop must go on – a technology project is never quite finished Simona de Silvestro, Formula E racer and the person after whom the Swissloop pod 2020 was named, pithily summed up one of the success factors on the occasion of the reveal event: “Don your helmet and step on the gas!” This maxim is definitely essential for the determined development of an innovation project. But anyone who has experienced the “Swissloopers” – a name given to the ETH crew by René Kalt, Director of the Switzerland Innovation Park – live, will be confident that the team will make great progress with the Hyperloop project with its mixture of student zeal and high-precision science. This manifests itself particularly impressively in the complex processes of the test drives, which ultimately represent the reward for all the hard work. With their checklist routines and countdown procedure, they are in no way inferior to a rocket launch in terms of tension and professionalism. And what do they always have with them on the test track? Their preferred tools from PB Swiss Tools, as there is always something to be perfected. Information on Swissloop: Swissloop is a student association aiming to advance the research and development of vacuum transport technology and its application in practice. This innovative system has the potential to transport people and goods faster and more efficiently. To help design this new mode of transport, Swissloop develops and builds prototypes of transport capsules – referred to as “pods”. Furthermore, Swissloop aims to raise public awareness on how this technology can impact our everyday lives and the future of sustainable transport. Photo source: Swissloop Daniel Winkler, ETH, and Linus Folini, Swissloop #hyperloop #HyperloopCompetition #swissloop, #Technology #Innovation # VacuumTransport # TransportCapsules #SimonaDeSilvestro, #ETH #WorkWithTheBest Watch now: RunVideo Swissloop Portrait-Video Swissloop