The healthy state of the high-precision markets created a positive atmosphere at the EPHJ trade show, which was held from 6 to 9 June at Palexpo. The 21st EPHJ was marked by a 21% increase in visitor numbers, with 21,780 Swiss and international professionals filling the aisles of Geneva’s International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Exhibitor numbers were also up, with 750 exhibitors from all sectors. The majority of them were Swiss (75%), followed by representatives from fifteen other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the United States and even Japan. Neuchâtel still dominates the top 5 of the 22 cantons represented, with 130 companies, followed by Berne (115), Geneva (78), Jura (76) and Vaud (64). French-speaking Switzerland accounted for 50% of all exhibitors, while German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino accounted for 26%.

Proof of the multi-sectoral development of the companies present in 2023, 91% of exhibitors will be active in the watch or jewellery industry, while 54% will be active in microtechnologies, particularly in the machinery industry. As in 2022, the majority of exhibitors (50%) will be active in the medical sector. This trend clearly demonstrates the capacity of the watchmaking and microtechnology industries to bring sought-after skills to the medical equipment environment.