lessons from a family business through three centuries

One of the biggest challenges for companies is their permanence. Most of them have a relatively short life and those that remain in operation for a few decades gain great prestige they are icons for their community and everyone wants to know their recipe. But when it comes to a family company that has transcended over three centuries, it seems obligatory to know what it has done well during at least 130 years.

Carl Elsener, CEO of Victorinox, is precise and punctual like the page of his flagship product when he talks about what has allowed the brand to transcend time. “An essential aspect is to focus on sustainability and give priority to the long-term vision, always keeping future generations in mind and not concentrating only on plans that may give immediate results, but in the long run can harm the development of the company; Another fundamental aspect is to maintain the family culture in the company”.

A third pillar, points out Elsener -great-grandson of the founder and member of Victorinox since 1978-, is that the company’s culture is based on mutual trust and respect, regardless of the position of each member in the team; These values ​​positively enhance the work environment, raise efficiency standards and have been one of the bases of its success. “At Victorinox we foster that value. The doors are open to all employees. If a team member has a problem, she can come by aid in your department, in Human Resources and you can also knock on our door.”

principles that endure

Victorinox has faced many challenges during its existence, but maintains the principles with which it was created in 1884 by Karl Elsener, with the support of his mother, Victoria -from whom the name of the famous Swiss Army knife is inspired, when it began to be manufactured with stainless steel, from 1921. Through three different centuries, the brand draws on its principles and goals.

“At Victorinox, an extremely important value is that employees feel that their work is valued, that their contribution is visible and appreciated. I take every opportunity to share with our teams.”

And certainly, the presence of the CEO of the company is something that does not surprise anyone in the different production areas of the plant located in Ibach, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, where at least three of the 11 brothers and four nephews of Elsener, who are the seed of the fifth generation in the company, where 45,000 pieces of different types of knives and knives are produced every day. The other divisions of the brand are watches, fragrances and travel items.

“For the company it is important to provide the members of all the teams with the certainty that their work is seen, appreciated and that contributes to the success of the company and guarantees the legacy that we will pass on to the next generations”, that is the philosophy of Victorinox, either at its headquarters or in its subsidiaries around the world.