BKW subsidiaries strengthen collaboration
AEK and onyx establish joint operating company
- Bild-Infos
- Download
Bern (ots)
BKW subsidiary AEK Energie AG in Solothurn and onyx Energie Mittelland AG in Langenthal have founded joint operating company AEK onyx AG, which is to begin operations in November 2016. The employees will be transferred to the new entity. The merger allows further consolidation in the two regionally strong markets, as the Solothurn and Oberaargau sites are strengthened in a challenging yet promising environment.
The new company aims to capitalise on synergies between the two merged entities to create added value for its customers. Under AEK onyx AG, customers will now benefit from, among other things, a more efficient cost structure, and with BKW's backing they will gain a wider and expanded service offering and the full Group corporate network portfolio. The new company will remain agile and flexible, and the two brands will continue as before to ensure that nothing changes for their customers and partners. The operating company is a demonstration of commitment to local and regional roots, and to the Solothurn and Langenthal sites - as an employer, trainer and taxpayer.
BKW's contracting business to be integrated into AEK onyx AG Over the past few years AEK has built up a successful contracting business, which will now be expanded into a nationwide centre of competence bolstered by BKW's contracting business. Contracting comprises the planning, financing and implementation of heating, combined heating and district heating projects, as well as biomass and photovoltaic installations, including maintenance and operation. The existing successful service business, which specialises in operative management, procurement, sales and billing for smaller energy suppliers and municipal providers, will be further strengthened by the consolidation of expertise.
Joint company to launch in November 2016 The detailed structure of the joint operating company will be finalised in consultation with the employees in the coming weeks. Walter Wirth, the current Director of AEK, will become CEO of the new company alongside other executive management members Thomas Huber, Michael Gasche, Martin Bucher and Bruno Jordi. The creation of the new operating company will result in structural changes that may impact individuals in certain cases, but for employees the new structure will also generate numerous prospects and opportunities for professional development within the fast-growing BKW Group. The newly formed Board of Directors of AEK onyx AG will be supported by an advisory board, headed by Solothurn councillor Pirmin Bischof, to strengthen AEK onyx AG's regional base. Independent representatives from the respective regions will also sit on the advisory board.
Arnold AG relocates site to Luterbach
Arnold AG, a fast-growing BKW subsidiary, is relocating one of its sites to Luterbach. The network services company has long been planning to expand its operations in north-western Switzerland and the AEK site in Luterbach now provides the ideal opportunity. Arnold AG will relocate its branch and maintenance operations in north-western Switzerland with about 140 jobs from Wangen an der Aare to the strategically favourable site in Luterbach.
BKW
The BKW Group is an international energy and infrastructure business based in Bern and employs approximately 4,500 people. The diversity of the Group's expertise allows it to offer its customers a full range of tailored services. BKW designs, builds and operates infrastructure to produce and supply energy for businesses, households and the public sector. The BKW Group offers a wide range of services, from building technologies, infrastructure engineering and digital business models for renewable energies to traditional multi-utility infrastructure services. The registered shares of BKW AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and BX Berne eXchange. www.bkw.ch
More information on BKW can be found here: AEK: www.aek.ch Onyx: www.onyx.ch Arnold: www.arnold.ch
Contact:
BKW SA
Tobias Fässler
Viktoriaplatz 2
3013 Bern
Tel. +41 58 477 51 07
media@bkw.ch
AEK Energie AG
Susanne Rufer
susanne.rufer@aek.ch
Tel. +41 32 624 84 60
onyx Energie Mittelland AG
Urs Wälchli
urs.waelchli@onyx.ch
Tel. +41 58 477 21 51