Products that accompany us in everyday life

Pupils of Gymnasium Muttenz visited, interviewed and portrayed companies taking part in the Industry Night. The result is nine wonderful texts that whet the appetite for the Industry Night. Here is part 3/3 of the cooperation with Gymnasium Muttenz.

Sutter Begg: Where tradition and innovation meet

by Gino and Sindri

The smell of freshly baked bread wafts through the streets. A familiar feeling that many people in Basel associate with Sutter Begg. Whether for a quick breakfast, a little treat in between or as a regular morning routine: Sutter Begg is an integral part of city life.

However, the 27 branches bake far more than just bread and croissants. Sutter Begg also offers sandwiches, sweets and confectionery and is much more than just a bakery. The company stands for genuine craftsmanship, regional ingredients and a tradition that has existed for over 100 years.

The Schoggiweggli is a particular favourite. The perfect balance of soft dough and delicate chocolate makes it a favourite among the people of Basel. Every bite brings back memories and shows that it is often the little things that are most touching. It's no wonder that hundreds of customers are delighted every day - and anyone who has taken a bite knows the unforgettable flavour.

While many bakeries rely on industrial mass production, Sutter Begg remains true to its craft. ‘Every pastry has been in our hands at least once,’ is the motto. The entire process is carried out by hand and all ingredients are carefully selected. At the same time, modern technology ensures more efficient processes. Here, tradition does not mean standing still, but the perfect combination of experience and innovation. The secret of success? Passion and attention to detail. This also includes the five-year strategic plan, in which the company sets out four impulses for the future and further develops the successful Sutter Begg concept.

Anyone walking through Basel will inevitably pass a branch. The smell of fresh bread entices you in. And anyone who bites into a warm Schoggiweggli knows that some things never change - and that's a good thing.

Ricola: The Swiss tradition of Alpine herbs

by Carole and Melisa

Horehound, burnet, speedwell, marshmallow, lady's mantle, elder, mallow, peppermint, sage, yarrow, cowslip, ribwort and thyme. ‘Who invented it?’: Emil Richterich discovered the 13-herb blend, laying the foundation for Ricola's international success. In the minute you've been reading through these herb names, Ricola has already produced 43,000 sweets. An incredible nine billion sweets are produced every year. This is all the ‘Chrüterchraft’ of Swiss nature.

It all began in 1930 in Laufen with the small confectionery Richterich & Co. Ten years later, the top-secret recipe was invented. The company exported sweets to Germany for the first time in 1962. Eight years later, the first deliveries were made to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA. Since 1985, Ricola has been growing according to Bio Suisse standards, in close co-operation with Swiss farmers. Sustainability has remained an important pillar to this day: in 2023, Ricola was awarded the Benefit Corporation certificate, which recognises sustainable and social responsibility.

The company favours Alpine regions for cultivation. The herbs are grown in optimal conditions in Valais, Emmental, Poschiavo, the southern foothills of the Jura and central Switzerland. As soon as all the herbs are ripe for picking, the mountain farmers dry them and transport them to the herb centre in Laufen for processing. The herbs are then cut, cleaned, mixed and stored in the high store for further processing. The sweets are then produced by machine at the production facility in Laufen. If you want even more impressions, then ‘Just take Ricola!’ and visit the Ricola stand in the exhibition hall at the Industry Night!

Weleda: In harmony with people and nature

by Emilia and Yannick

‘Lavender’, ‘rose quartz’, ‘marigold’ - these are not ingredients for a new natural cosmetic product, but the names of the meeting rooms at Weleda. As soon as you enter the company premises, it becomes clear that Weleda's philosophy is not just in the products, it also permeates the entire working atmosphere. For a century, Weleda has been a pioneer in natural cosmetics with high standards of quality and sustainability: the company combines natural ingredients with innovative research to protect the skin and the environment. Today, Weleda is one of the world's leading companies in the production of certified natural cosmetics and anthroposophic medicines. More than 500 natural substances form the basis of the products.

Like many other companies, Weleda started out small. Ita Wegman, Rudolf Steiner and Oskar Schmiedel founded Weleda over 100 years ago. Their aim was to create a medicine that combines man and nature. Behind this is a philosophy that views the human being as a whole and aims to promote a healthy balance between body, mind and soul. The beginnings were modest: A small laboratory and a medicinal plant garden in Dornach laid the foundations for the company. Since then, Weleda has grown considerably and now sells its products worldwide. Despite its international reputation, Arlesheim remains at the heart of Weleda: central areas such as research and development, production and global marketing are concentrated here. Meanwhile, the company's affinity with nature is still clearly visible and tangible in its products today. This is reflected not only in the selection of ingredients, but also in the way they are produced and marketed. Weleda opens its doors on Industry Night and offers exciting insights - from the plant to the finished product.