SACCI Historical Archive

 Swiss-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

SACCI History
Preamble

The Swiss-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) was founded on the 24 July 1985 and celebrated its 20th anniversary at the AGM Dinner Celebration at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney on 5 April 2005. This historical overview highlights some of the main events in the Chamber’s History.

1985 – 2000: THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS 

1983 - 1984

In 1983 a steering committee of local business people representing Swiss firms in Australia resolved to form a trade and export promotion organisation designed to support and advise Swiss business interests in Australia and vice versa. One of the outstanding individuals behind the formation of this association, which was to become the Chamber, was UBS representative in Sydney, Henry Stalder. Henry was one of the best networkers you could meet.

The inaugural meeting of the group was held on 23 October 1984 at the Imperial Services Club in Sydney. A Constitution was prepared and formal support for the organisation was obtained from the Union of Swiss Chambers of Commerce Abroad.

1985

The Chamber was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 24 July 1985. At that time and until 1990, all board members handled trade enquiries on an honorary basis adopting the renown “militia system”, so favoured by the Swiss, particularly as it did not involve the outlay of any funds by the Government.

In the same year, the Chamber’s distinctive blue, red and white logo incorporating the Swiss flag was designed and protected by trademark registration. The first edition of the Chamber’s journal ‘Opportunities’ was also published, Opportunities remains the Chamber’s most important channel of communication between the Chamber and its members, with four editions published annually.

The Chamber also held a number of outstanding functions soon after its formal inauguration.  These included a black tie dinner at the Bulletin Place restaurant of renown wine judge, Len Evans, which was well attended and greatly enjoyed by all present. Twenty years later, Chamber members still like to celebrate and network with good food and wine, and stimulating company.

1986-1987

The inaugural Annual General Meeting was held in Sydney and foundation membership certificates were handed out to 47 members. The Chamber participated in the first special survey edition on Switzerland published by the Australian Financial Review. It also attained full membership of the worldwide Union of Swiss Chambers of Commerce Abroad (now SwissCham). In 1987 the Queensland and Victoria chapters were formed. The Queensland chapter was involved in the Swiss participation at Expo 88 in Brisbane in the following year.

1988

SACCI was actively involved in the highly successful visit to Australia of the Swiss Vice-President and Minister for Economic Affairs, Jean-Pascal Delamuraz. This was the first visit to Australia by a Swiss Minister, made during Australia’s bicentennial and coincided with Switzerland’s contribution to Expo 88 in Brisbane. Mr Delamuraz was guest of honour at a SACCI luncheon held in Sydney in conjunction with CEDA at Parliament House. The function was overbooked and was an outstanding success.

During the year SACCI was instrumental in the Swiss Government reversing its decision not to participate in Expo 88. Eventually, Switzerland invested over $11 million in Expo 88 in a highly successful and memorable pavilion, including a chairlift and mini ski ramp. SACCI also established reciprocal membership with the Australian Business Club in Switzerland, which later became the Australian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI) based in Zurich. SACCI and ASCCI still enjoy mutual ties and close association and interaction.

1989

SACCI continued to actively support Swiss business interests in Australia. The Chamber lobbied the Federal Department of Aviation in support of the application by Swissair for landing rights in Australia. Although these rights were eventually granted, unfortunately they were not taken up by Swissair.

The major development for the Chamber during the 1990’s was the transfer of responsibility for handling all trade related enquiries from Australia and Switzerland to SACCI. With the opening of a full-time secretariat, a distribution of duties between the Swiss Consulates and Embassy on the one hand, and SACCI on the other, was formally agreed and put into operation. Since then, all trade related enquiries from Australia and Switzerland have been forwarded to the Chamber for processing. This work mostly involves the promotion of Switzerland to Australian businesses and provides a considerable saving to the official representative offices of Switzerland in this country. The Chamber continues to provide free information services to the public on a daily basis in a highly professional manner on behalf of the Swiss representations in Australia.

1990

1990 was an outstanding and ground-breaking year for SACCI. A full time secretariat was opened at the Edgecliff Centre in Sydney, where the Consulate General of Switzerland was also located. Although the Consulate General has since moved to Bondi Junction, SACCI still occupies the Edgecliff offices. SACCI was fortunate in securing the services of Anne Held, a new Swiss-born immigrant to Australia to manage the secretariat. Anne became General Manager in 1998 and was succeeded by Dean Storchenegger in 2002.

The office of the Secretariat was opened on 8 May 1990. In that year, SACCI also obtained authority to handle all trade related enquiries from the Consulate General of Switzerland. Dealing with the myriad of trade enquiries, providing valuable information to Australian and Swiss businesses every day, remains one of SACCI’s key functions. 

1992

Founding National President, Peter Meury, stepped down in 1992 and Daniel Gauchat took over. In 1996 Daniel was followed as by Len Cordiner, the first Australian to hold this honorary position. Len’s shoes have been admirably filled in 1999 by David Sandoe of Zurich Financial Services and then in 2002 Beat Knoblauch of Beat Knoblauch & Associates took the position.

In 1992 corporate sponsorships were also successfully introduced. In 2004 the Chamber was supported by 19 corporate sponsors.

1993-1995

The first patron of the Chamber, Sir Arvi Parbo, was appointed in 1993. Sir Arvi retired from this position at the end of 2000. SACCI organised a collective Swiss stand for the first time at an Australian trade show, namely the Fine Food Exhibition. And in 1994 SACCI participated for the first time in the Australian International Engineering Exhibition held in Sydney. The Chamber continues to take part in this exhibition annually, now known as National Manufacturing Week. By 1995, SACCI had become the fourth largest European Chamber of Commerce in New South Wales by number of members. 

1997-1999

The inaugural Swissair Golf Day was held in 1997 and in 1998 Anne Held became General Manager and work commenced on the SACCI website. In 1999 www.sacci.com.au was officially launched.

2000-2001

Over the 15 years subscription fees were not increased. By 2001 membership had also grown to a total of 262 from the initial 47 founding members.

During the Olympics in Sydney 2000, SACCI was active in organising and collaborating with the Swiss Olympic and Paralympics associations, including joint functions with the athletes. In addition, the initiative ‘SACCI SwissContact’ was launched to assist communications online during the period. These activities were handled on an honorary basis, in addition to the Chamber’s day-to-day activities, which were maintained throughout the period.

2002

After 13 years, Anne Held retired and Dean Storchenegger was appointed as General Manager of SACCI. Beat Knoblauch took over from David Sandoe as President. SACCI also celebrates 10 years of promoting the Swiss manufacturing sector through its participation with its Swiss Pavilion at National Manufacturing Week, Australia’s largest manufacturing exhibition.

2003

The Opportunities magazine received a face-lift as well as changing from black & white to colour. The magazine is distributed across Australia and to the Australian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ASCCI) in Zurich. By this time SACCI was answering more than 600 trade related enquiries to assist businesses & members of the public in locating products and services.

SACCI participates in the end-of-year networking harbour cruise of the European Chambers of Commerce in Sydney in 2003. This has since become a highlight of the Chamber's annual events calendar – with over 500 Europeans now taking part.

2004

SACCI acknowledges as the pinnacle organisation for bilateral trade promotion between Australia and Switzerland this image needs to be reflected in its branding. With this aim in mind, a new website was launched in 2004. The SACCI Victorian Chapter was revitalised and collectively over 25 networking events were staged in this year. The first corporate promotional video on SACCI was also completed in 2004. The video titled SACCI Networking was produced by SACCI member Video Williams and, keeping up with technology, was streamed online via the internet. Most importantly a new membership database was introduced, providing SACCI with the ability to better manage the business and professionally meet its member needs.

2005

SACCI Celebrates 20 years, the Consulate General in Sydney 150 years

The occasion was marked by commemorative editions of the Opportunities magazine, a popular AGM Dinner and an excellent selection of high-level networking events culminating in the most popular event in SACCI’s history on the 9^th November 2005 attracting some 160 attendees held at the Powerhouse Museum and sponsored by SWISS.

SACCI continued to be managed prudently whilst experiencing a period of growth in overall revenue generated. This included increases in membership levels, increases of Corporate Sponsors up from 14 in 2002 to 19 in 2005 and increased income stream from advertising. In the past three years, overall revenue increased by over 40%. This placed SACCI in the positive situation of increasing cash reserves, enabling General Manager Dean Storchenegger to hire for the first time a full time assistant. It also allowed SACCI to move into a period of investment including a planned office relocation and expansion into Victoria.

2006 & Beyond

2006

SACCI continues to grow and in 2006 has achieved another record by expanding to over 330 members. In fact the increase in 2006 was the greatest on record (57 net) and makes SACCI one of the largest European bilateral chambers of commerce in Australia.

After 15 years in the Edgecliff Centre, SACCI relocates to a centrally located office in the city of Sydney. The chamber also opens its first part-time staffed office in Victoria. Over 20 events were held during the course of the year whilst continuing to provide a service to the trade enquiries and research requests on behalf of the Swiss government. 2006 marks the closure of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Melbourne after 150 years.

Some of the highlight events included a presentation by the CEO of Xstrata at NSW Parliament House.

No review of SACCI’s activities would be complete without a mention and thank you to the Embassy and Consulates for the high level support enjoyed over the years. In addition, a special vote of thanks to the dedication and energy of all the board members since the Chamber commenced. Finally SACCI thanks its members, for without members, the Chamber would not exist.

Other Activities

Apart from handling thousands of trade related enquiries every year, SACCI has been actively involved in many activities. These include:

(a)                 trade exhibitions and pavilions in Sydney and Melbourne, such as National Manufacturing Week (formerly known as the Australian International Engineering Exhibition) and earlier in the Fine Food Exhibitions. SACCI’s participation in these events showcases Swiss products and services, with SACCI responsible for organisation, promotion, coordination and administration;

(b)                 active participation in, and close collaboration with the Swiss Olympic and Paralympics Associations, involving meetings and joint functions with both the Swiss Olympic and Paralympics athletes in 2000. During this busy and very exciting period, the SACCI secretariat also became the base for SwissContact for both the Olympics and Paralympics. All these activities were handled on an honorary basis, in addition to the Chamber’s day to day activities which were also maintained throughout the period;

(c)                 numerous information meetings and forums including the successful Swiss Banking Forum held in Sydney and Melbourne in 1995; Andrew Rogers QC presenting on the 'Impact of Australian Corporate Governance' in 2003; seminar on the changes in Australia’s Industrial Relations legislation in 2006; and

(d)                 providing venues for various prominent guest speakers including government ministers from Australia and Switzerland, heads of industry both in Australia and from Switzerland, and leading financial and business academics and commentators from both countries.

SACCI Co-Operation Partners and Personnel

SACCI has been fortunate to always enjoy the support and encouragement of the Swiss Government authorities in Australia, particularly the Embassy in Canberra and the Consulate’s General in Sydney and Melbourne. Over the years SACCI has enjoyed very close relationships with the various Ambassadors and Consuls General; a tradition which SACCI is pleased to see continued by present Ambassador, Christian Muehlethaler and Consul General Juerg Casserini in Sydney.

No review of SACCI’s activities would be complete without a special mention and thank you to our General Manager and team, for the hours of work and excellent support and cooperation they give, and to all the dedicated Board members over the years.

Above: The 20^th Anniversary edition of the Opportunities Magazine

Click Here: Radio Interview on the SACCI Year In Review
GM Dean Storchenegger speaks with SBS Radio: Let's Talk Business - 9MB MP3 File

 Corporate Sponsors of SACCI

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