Tour suggestion by Franziska Schürch

We asked various personalities from the region which companies they will be visiting on Industry Night. The seventh tour suggestion comes from Franziska Schürch, Cultural scientist and co-owner of Schürch & Koellreuter in Basel.

Bringing the Past into the Future

As a cultural historian, I’ve thought a lot about the transformation of former industrial areas in the Basel region over recent years, such as Rosental, Dreispitz, and Salina Raurica. The history of industrialization and what’s sometimes termed “de-industrialization” are at the fore. How did these sites emerge, who used them and how, and what’s happening with them now?

I think Basel’s Industry Night is a chance to discover branches and areas of work hitherto unknown to me. It’s also an opportunity to explore the region and immerse myself in the many new ways that former industrial sites are being used.

So my personal tips take us out of the city towards Arlesheim. What used to be the ABB site producing electric motors and locomotives is now uptownBasel, a new competence centre for Industry 4.0. This is where I can learn more about the initiators’ ideas and goals, visiting the future-oriented companies located here. At Axians, the focus is on digital infrastructure. I look to discover the latest methods for fighting cyberattacks. Actemium is where I can learn more about the latest developments in automatization and work alongside experts to programme a robot.

If I wanted to experience more visions of the future, I would explore the latest building technology systems and smart infrastructures at Equans, Siemens, and Selmoni. But instead I’ll head across the city to Franck Areal. Something new is brewing where once chicory and mustard seeds were stored to manufacture Franck Aroma, the coffee substitute, and the Thomy mustard. There’s a tour of the project every hour on the hour, and a tour of the historic site. I’m excited