Recap Impulstag 2026: From complexity to clarity

Following the welcome by Stephan Sonderegger and Julian Specker from Variosystems, it became clear that today’s challenges are more diverse than ever before. Volatile supply chains, new regulatory requirements, artificial intelligence and geopolitical uncertainty are shaping industries across the board.

The first keynote came from Markus Jeck of Future Electronics, who provided an overview of the current state of the electronic components market. Alongside opportunities and risks within the supply chain, he explored how the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is likely to influence availability, demand and future technologies.

Stefan Petzold from Microchip then highlighted the impact of emerging regulations on the industry. His presentation focused on the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), explaining what manufacturers of connected products need to consider and how compliance can become a competitive advantage rather than simply a regulatory obligation.

How Variosystems leverages the power of AI without compromising data sovereignty was demonstrated by Natascha Chiodin, Günter Scheffknecht and Toni Gantenbein through exclusive first insights into Variosystems Intelligence. The platform enables companies to actively manage electronic components throughout their entire lifecycle, providing greater transparency and supporting informed decision-making.

A particularly practical perspective was provided by Wenting Zhang-Kilian from Endress+Hauser, who shared how “Co-Creating leading innovators” works in practice. Early involvement of all stakeholders, clear responsibilities and transparent decision-making create the foundation for long-term partnerships and successful projects.

Jean-Philippe Kohl from Swissmem then turned the focus to the broader challenges facing the Swiss technology industry. How can companies remain competitive amid growing trade barriers, geopolitical tensions and increasing protectionist tendencies? His key message was clear: innovation, international connectivity and open markets remain essential drivers of long-term competitiveness.

The final keynote came from Swiss wingfoil Elena Šandera. On her journey toward the goal of winning Olympic gold in 2028, she has already overcome numerous obstacles. Her personal story of ambition, setbacks and perseverance inspired the audience and provided a memorable conclusion to the day’s presentations.

Perspectives, experiences and ideas create momentum

The conversations between sessions proved just as valuable as the presentations themselves. Production tours, the shared lunch and the closing apéro created opportunities to build connections, exchange experiences and develop new ideas. Once again, Impulstag demonstrated the value of personal interaction and meaningful dialogue between experts, partners and customers. We would like to thank all guests, speakers and everyone involved in making Impulstag 2026 such a successful event. We are already looking forward to next year.