General Information 1
Schaffhausen – Greater Zurich Area Live.Work.Invest.
2 |Investment 3 LOCATION/TRANSPORTATION Guide
At the heart of Europe Schaffhausen – a dynamic region in the center of Europe, with excellent connections to all major global destinations. (Image: the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall)
Location and transport links
Geografie 3
Whether you’re travelling by rail, bus or car, locally or going further away, you will quickly find Schaffhausen has great transport links. You have direct access to the European motorway and railway networks and there’s an extensive and reliable public transport system to get you around more locally. What’s more, Zurich’s international airport is just 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by train from Schaffhausen.
England Germany
Austria
France
Italy Spain
to Stuttgart
to F re ib
Railway Main road Motorway urg
to
Singen
to Ba
Mu
nic
h
sel Schaffhausen
Konstanz
Frauenfeld Bülach Winterthur Airport
St. Gallen
Zurich
Schaffhausen is an idyllic location set amidst charming landscapes – a piece of paradise which offers you more of everything: you can get to your meeting in downtown Zurich in just 40 minutes or be in Stuttgart in 1.5 hours, but if you want to relax, just take a stroll along the clear waters of the River Rhine, right on your doorstep. The scenery around Schaffhausen will tempt you outdoors – for a well-earned rest or some action and adventure. Canton Schaffhausen is home to about 80,000 people. Half live in the city of Schaffhausen, the other half lives in one of the 26 villages which make up the Canton.
In brief
30
minutes to Zurich International Airport
40
minutes to downtown Zurich
80,000
people live in Canton Schaffhausen
Business Over the past ten years, Canton Schaffhausen has become a prime location for the headquarters of international corporations. Among the many businesses which have established operations here you can find AGCO, Ashland, Cabot, Citrix, ConvaTec, DSM, Garmin, John Deere, Kennametal, OBI, Tektronix, TE Connectivity, Tyco International, Unilever and Werner. Lower costs for your business and for yourself All of the corporations which have moved to Schaffhausen love the exceptional quality of life, proximity to Zurich international airport, the expertise in cross-border trading with the EU, which is second nature to local business service providers, and they also value the lower operating costs and lower cost of living here by comparison with the Zurich area as a whole. These benefits, combined with an attractive tax-regime and innovative international tax-planning options, create a unique mix in favor of locating here. And when you need additional staff, our proximity to Zurich and to the labor market in Southern Germany means easy access to a wider pool of qualified and highly-skilled personnel. In brief
5,000
Cross-border skilled workers thanks to free movement of labor
350
International businesses have settled here in twelve years
Your Agriculture Company
P A S S I O N A T E LY D I F F E R E N T S W I S S W A T C H E S
BUSINESS  4 | 5
Prime location for international headquarters Canton Schaffhausen is a first-class base for corporate headquarters and a great place to work. (Image: Office premises at Neuhausen overlooking the River Rhine, Architektur Jabez AG Generalunternehmung)
6 | 7  INDUSTRY/HIGH-TECH
High-tech growth from industrial roots From traditional industrial companies to high-tech manufacturers: Schaffhausen is home to innovative businesses with world-class products. (Image: Cilag Schaffhausen)
Industry and high-tech Years ago, many in Schaffhausen were employed in the classic industrial sectors such as foundries, pattern and mould making as well as materials testing. Today, Schaffhausen has been transformed into a highly attractive location for service sector organizations and high-tech businesses. A balanced blend of businesses with several specialist clusters in the area and a number of agencies to support knowledge management and technology transfer are ensuring sustainable competitive advantage in the international marketplace. High-tech category-leading products Canton Schaffhausen remains an important industrial base producing complex high-tech categoryleading products and exporting these all around the world. Companies of long-established industrial pedigree such as ABB, Alcon Grieshaber, Bosch, Cilag (Johnson & Johnson), Georg Fischer, IWC and Unilever are testimony to the fact that Schaffhausen continues to be an attractive location for business, even in the face of increased global competition, thanks to the innovative products manufactured here and the excellent environmental factors which benefit businesses moving here.
IWC watches enjoy international acclaim.
Taxes Schaffhausen is a very attractive environment for businesses, with highly competitive tax rates compared to other global locations. That’s been noticed by a large number of multi-national corporations which have chosen Canton Schaff hausen as the base for their European operations, their central trading organization, a finance or management company or a regional or holding company. Alongside the moderate tax levels by comparison with other European and Swiss locations, these corporations have also reco gnized the excellent responsiveness and business-friendly stance of all government departments here. Making your money go further Over recent years, Canton Schaffhausen has consistently reduced taxes for businesses and individuals. The authorities aim to maintain this position, benefitting citizens and companies alike. On top of that, real estate prices and the cost of living here are very affordable, making Schaffhausen a great place to live and do business. Corporation Tax 2014 – illustration based on main city of respective canton CHF
100'000 80'000 60'000 CHF
100'000 40'000 80'000 20'000 60'000 0
Zug
Schaffhausen
Aargau
Zurich
Lausanne
40'000
Cantonal and local taxation (excl. federal tax) 20'000 Equity CHF 2m and net profit of CHF 600,000 Source: Federal Tax Authorities 0
Zug
Schaffhausen
Aargau
Zurich
Lausanne
CHF
80'000 70'000
Disposable income for a family with 2 children 60'000 50'000 CHF
40'000 80'000 30'000 70'000 20'000 60'000 10'000 50'000 0 40'000
Zurich
Lausanne
Zug
Aargau
Schaffhausen
30'000 20'000 10'000 0
Zurich
Lausanne
Zug
Aargau
Schaffhausen
Amount available for family to spend, based on income minus all deductions (tax, insurance, payments into pension fund) and fixed costs (accommodation and related expenses e.g. utility bills). Basis: Income CHF 150,000, net worth CHF 300,000 Source: Credit Suisse Economic Research
TAXES 8 | 9
Less taxes, more to invest An attractive tax regime for businesses and a consistent government drive to reduce taxation serve to increase Canton Schaffhausen’s appeal year on year. (Image: Weekly market in Schaffhausen’s old town)
Life is for living Take a deep breath, open your eyes and enjoy: here in Canton Schaffhausen everyone in the family will feel at ease because we offer a contrast to the hectic and cramped streets of big cities. Here you will discover all the ingredients for a fantastic future: exceptional quality of life, wonderful choice of high-quality homes and first-class work environments. In Schaffhausen you will find an excellent range of property options to suit every taste: maybe you’re looking for a modern apartment with a view over the Rhine or you might prefer a magical half-timbered house on the edge of the forest? And on top of excellent options, we can offer another advantage over other parts of the Zurich area – property prices and rental values are much more affordable. If you’d like to start browsing right now, all properties are listed online and check out our unique database of land in the Canton available for building by following the link below: www.sh.ch/wf
Paradise for the family Canton Schaffhausen has something special in store for children – lots of space and a unique landscape of unspoiled beauty between the Randen Hills and the banks of the River Rhine, ready for new adventures and discoveries. Thanks to our location in the greater Zurich area, you can enjoy all the benefits on offer in Schaffhausen and commute to work in and around Zurich easily, if you need to. And when you’re not at work, there’s a brilliant choice of leisure facilities from swimming pools with fabulous water slides to climbing centers, matinee performances at the theatre or children’s guided visits to the museum – there’s always something for everyone, large and small. Maybe you’re looking for a holiday course or music lessons or someone in the family wants to join one of our many clubs and societies: you will find it in Schaffhausen. A place where children can still be children.
LIFE 10 | 11
A piece of paradise Schaffhausen. A piece of paradise for the whole family – exceptional quality of life for large and small. (Image: Campaign «a piece of paradise»)
12 | 13  EDUCATION
From kindergarten to Masters Whether you’re looking for swimming lessons, a language course or want to take a Masters degree: Canton Schaffhausen offers a wide range of education opportunities. (Image: Gelbhausgarten School in Schaffhausen)
Education From first going to kindergarten to finishing compulsory schooling, all children can access schools right here in the Canton. Most communities outside the city have their own kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. That means getting to school is quick and easy and children are well looked after. And of course you will find teaching in English in Schaffhausen: The International School of Schaffhausen (ISSH) offers education from early years (age 3) through to the IBO (International Baccalaureate) Diploma (age 16). www.issh.ch (International School of Schaffhausen)
Universities and adult education Schaffhausen is close to a number of universities: Zurich, St.Gallen, Basel, Konstanz and Winterthur are less than an hour away. Within the immediate locality, you will find a comprehensive range of adult education programs: from IT courses to language classes and management training, you are sure to find something interesting. Schaffhausen also has two specialist university-level institutions – the International Packaging Institute (IPI) and a teacher training college.
14 | 15  POLITICS
Easy access, quick decisions Schaffhausen residents are interested in politics and value their direct access to decision-makers and local officials. (Image: Parliament Chamber)
Politics Schaffhausen is a great example of how direct democracy is lived. Access to local politicians and officials is easy and direct. In Canton Schaffhausen you can meet the decision-makers face-to-face and put across your view. Local citizens take an active interest in politics which is reflected in the turn-out at each election and is regularly the highest in Switzerland. The people of Schaffhausen elect their representatives in each of the 26 communes and at national level every four years. The Cantonal Parliament consists of 60 elected representatives from 10 parties across the political spectrum – from left to right – and from all corners of the Canton. The Cantonal Parliament is the legislative body in the Canton and meets every 2 weeks. The executive body is the Governing Council consisting of 5 representatives directly elected by the Canton’s citizens for a period of 4 years.
The members of the cantonal government (from left to right): Ernst Landolt, Stefan Bilger (state secretary) Ursula Hafner-Wipf, Dr. Reto Dubach, Christian Amsler, Rosmarie Widmer Gysel
History
1045
First documentary records of Scaffhusun, as Schaffhausen was then known, a market town under the Nellenburg dynasty
1501
Schaffhausen becomes the 12th Canton in the Swiss Confederation and is a major trading center
1589
After years of forced labor, the Munot fortress, high above Schaffhausen, is completed
1857
The first railway link between Winterthur and Schaffhausen is opened
1866
First hydro-electric power produced on the River Rhine to operate the machines of Schaffhausen’s growing industrial base
from 1950
Schaffhausen develops into major industrial center, in particular for foundries and aluminum production
from 1980
Metal production and processing declines, Schaffhausen becomes a location of choice for business services providers and high-tech development and manufacturing
Culture and Leisure The citizens of Schaffhausen love culture and have a great menu of theatre, concerts, museums and galleries to choose from. The International Bach Festival brings together top musicians from all round the world and the Jazz-Festival in the Kammgarn Kulturzentrum hosts the avant-garde of Swiss Jazz. Every August there’s an open air festival in the old town quarter, with both national and international stars on stage. And the former cloister now museum, Museum zu Allerheiligen, has something in store throughout the year thanks to its wide range of thematic exhibitions: from archaeology to history and modern art.
The changing programme of exhibitions at Museum zu Allerheiligen has achieved international acclaim.
Kadetten SH: handball at its best.
Sport Schaffhausen is great for sport! Proof of that is the number of clubs which play in their top leagues in Switzerland. It is also reflected in the many options on offer: cycling, walking, swimming, riding, golf, climbing and ice-skating are just some of the activities available. Shopping The streets and alleyways of the old-town quarter are free of traffic and great for a stroll and some shopping in the many specialist retailers, boutiques and street cafés. Outside the city, in smaller towns such as Neuhausen am Rheinfall and Stein am Rhein you will find a range of shops offering quality products and excellent service. And there’s also a selection of shopping malls within easy reach.
CULTURE/LEISURE
16 | 17
Time for a change? Whether you’re interested in culture, love nature or like a sporting challenge: Schaffhausen offers it to you à la carte. (Image: © starsintown.ch)
18 | 19  TOURISM/WINE
Treat yourself to something special The Rhine Falls, our beautiful old town quarters and many other sights make a visit to Schaffhausen an unforgettable experience. (Image: View of the St. Moritz church in Hallau)
TOURISMUS / WEINBAU 22 | 23
Tourism and Wine Schaffhausen isn’t just a nice place to live – it’s a great place to visit, too. There’s the Rhine Falls, the Munot fortress, the Museum zu Allerheiligen, and the contemporary art gallery, Hallen für Neue Kunst. Whatever your taste and whatever the season, Schaffhausen can offer something special. The beautiful old town quarters of Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen are easily explored on foot, the idyllic scenery of the Upper Rhine is best taken in by boat and the local foot-hills of the distant Jura mountains – the Randen and Reiat hills – are great on a mountain bike. And for a real highlight in the summer, simply dip into the clear waters of the River Rhine. So, maybe now you know why people fall for Schaffhausen.
Old town quarter of Stein am Rhein.
Wine There is a long tradition of wine-growing in the area: and three out of four vines planted here are pinot noir. And that’s what led local wine producers to call this region ‚pinot noir country‘: Blauburgunderland, the largest uninterrupted vineyard in German-speaking Switzerland. Around 1,200 acres across 20 communes are planted with vines. An important part of the wine-growing scene are the festivals which mark the flowering of the vines and the grape harvest. Food and Drink A real delight is the fact that our region is densely populated with award-winning Gault Millau restaurants. In Schaffhausen a popular saying is: love grows via the stomach. Our many small restaurants will impress you with their speciality dishes and excellent wines. A propos wine: Schaffhausen’s pinot noirs aren’t just popular with the locals, for a number of years now they have also been receiving critical acclaim and winning awards at top tasting events.
Economic Promotion Canton Schaffhausen Herrenacker 15 CH-8200 Schaffhausen Phone +41 52 674 03 03 Fax +41 52 674 06 09 economic.promotion@generis.ch www.sh.ch/wf