The Swiss Packaging Institute (SVI) elected a new president and four new board members at its 62nd general meeting. The focus was on the realignment of the association in a difficult regulatory environment.
At the 62nd Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2025 in Olten, the SVI looked back on a challenging 2024. The association closed the financial year with a loss of 12,756 Swiss francs.
Last year, the SVI ACADEMY and networking events were unable to fulfil their targets, according to the report. It reflects the market mood and situation. Training remains an important strategic pillar of the SVI. The review of the Swiss Packaging Award 2023 is sober with 37 entries.
Realignment: „Out of crisis mode“
Managing Director Andreas Zopfi called for a change in the narrative: instead of continuing to assume crisis mode, the industry should see the current situation - including geopolitical tensions and increasing regulation - as the „new normal“.
Change in the Board of Directors - Tobias Leischner new President
Following the resignation of Philippe Dubois, who shaped the association for 13 years, Tobias Leischner (Bourquin SA) was unanimously elected as the new President. His role as a bridge builder was emphasised in the laudatory speech. A total of four new members were elected to the Executive Board:
- Rolf Eicher (JobTalente)
- Roberto Polizzi (Migros Industry)
- Othmar Wohlhauser (Wipf AG)
- Rudolf Zimmerli (Proderma AG)
The new Board of Directors is made up of the following members:
Tobias Leischner (Chairman), Christine Arnet, Rolf Eicher, Roberto Polizzi, Othmar Wohlhauser, Rudolf Zimmerli.
Financial decisions and outlook
In the statutory part of the meeting, the 2024 annual report, the minutes of the previous year's meeting and the 2025 budget were unanimously approved. A 5 per cent increase in membership fees from 2026 was also approved with 19 votes in favour and 5 abstentions - the first since 2010.
Source: SVI
