Phoenix Award 2025 goes to Baggenstos
One hundred years of successful entrepreneurship: A. Baggenstos & Co. AG has been awarded the Phoenix Award 2025 in the category «SME 100 Years». This award is presented to SMEs that successfully manage their long-term succession.
«We are very proud of this recognition», says Thomas Baggenstos, son of company founder August Baggenstos. «Continuity is in our DNA. Our customers can expect the same from us: reliability, stability and our daily commitment to delivering the best IT service.» Renato Petrillo, who has been CEO for only a few months, adds: «A forward-looking IT infrastructure is the foundation of business success for most companies in Switzerland – and it requires trust that we will continue to be there for our customers tomorrow.»
The Phoenix Award certificate in the category «SME 100 Years» for A. Baggenstos & Co. AG was accepted by Thomas Baggenstos, Chairman of the Board, and CEO Renato Petrillo on behalf of the entire team. In his laudatory speech, Andreas Camenzind, member of the Phoenix Award jury and Investment Director at the Renaissance Foundation, emphasised the spirit of independence as a source of visionary and innovative strength – a driving force that has led Baggenstos from a typewriter repair workshop to one of Switzerland’s leading IT service providers for SMEs.
«Baggenstos has always been ahead of its time while remaining grounded in sustainable values.»
How Baggenstos convinced the jury
Baggenstos receives the Phoenix Award 2025 among other reasons because it is a second-generation family business that is well positioned to find an independent and financially stable succession solution in the future. Its capacity for innovation and disruption is considered high due to its development from a typewriter repair workshop and distributor into an IT service provider. According to the jury, Baggenstos closely observes market developments and seizes opportunities at an early stage, as demonstrated by its evolution from an IT services company to a cloud and managed services provider and its close partnership with Microsoft. Baggenstos focuses on cloud solutions and actively competes in a challenging market dominated by major players. Its strong employee-centric culture is one of its hallmarks, reflected in the Kununu Top Company label. Baggenstos also shows responsibility as a training organisation and in matters of sustainability. The jury and advisory board made special mention of «Baggiwood», the company’s innovative timber building in Wallisellen.
Multi-stage selection
The Phoenix Award has been presented annually since 2020 by the Swiss Association for Business Succession (CHDU). The award is given to SMEs that were either founded or entered into the commercial register exactly 100 years earlier. From these companies, a specialist jury and an advisory board comprising representatives from academia, business and the media select the winner through a multi-stage process. The assessment focuses on innovation and disruption capability, team performance, and the societal and economic contribution of the companies.