PM-Professional Switzerland - Programs and Projects for Innovation

  The Hidden Cost of Complexity in Swiss Industry Switzerland is renowned for its high-value manufacturing and innovation. Yet, a recent analysis of the financial results of 10 leading Swiss-listed companies across sectors such as pharma, medtech, automation, and advanced industrials reveals a common challenge: the cash conversion cycle (CCC) is often extremely long—sometimes exceeding 200 days. What’s Behind a High CCC? Many Swiss companies operate with highly customised processes: ETO (Engineering to Order): Each product is engineered from scratch for the customer. DTO (Design to Order): Each order requires a new design, though some modules may be reused. These models maximise customisation but also lead to: High inventory levels (DIO) Long lead times Capital tied up for months The result? A high CCC —the time it takes to turn investment in inventory and resources into cash from sales. The CTO Opportunity CTO (Configure to Order) is a different approach: Products are built fro...