Schaffhausen has been home to several of Johnson Controls’ HQ functions since 2016. The company is a world leader in smart buildings, creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. «Buildings account for almost 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 30% of energy consumption. You can’t get to a net zero future unless you decarbonise buildings», Svenja Schulz, Managing Director and Vice President, Global Brand & Marketing explains at the company’s base in Schaffhausen. «Energy-efficient buildings, digitally connected and managed using artificial intelligence, is how you drastically reduce energy. Our technology transforms buildings from being one of the major challenges to one of the biggest wins for the climate. And that’s what the staff at Johnson Controls are working towards every day.»

Svenja Schulz joined the business in 2001 so was present when the Tyco fire protection was acquired by Johnson Controls in 2016. Tyco had been located in Schaffhausen since 1998. Following the take-over, Johnson Controls integrated the former regional HQ into its own structures and gradually began to grow the business. «There are now around 95 staff in Schaffhausen. When Johnson Controls acquired the location in 2016, the business had been anticipating growth to around 60 personnel. It’s all worked out very positively. », Schulz confirms. Originally focussed on the Trademark and Branding functions, recent years have seen steady growth with further HQ teams arriving, including the Leadership Team for EMEALA markets and several global Centers of Excellence for Johnson Controls. These specialisms play a key role in shaping the innovations and the future of Johnson Controls and have elevated the EMEALA Headquarters to a significant unit within the wider company.

EMEALA Headquarter

A large part of the Leadership Team for the markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America has been based in Schaffhausen since 2019, with all of the key function services for the EMEALA countries directed from the company’s base on the banks of the River Rhine. That includes Finance, HR, Marketing and Strategic Planning for these diverse markets. Jags Mukherjee, Vice President Human Resources for EMEALA, explained: «The EMEALA markets have become central to the global success of Johnson Controls. We have a strategic team focusing on building technology solutions and services including our leading heat pump technology portfolio ». Heat pumps are becoming increasingly important for saving energy, providing safety and ensuring sustainability when they are combined with the systematic digitalisation of buildings. Over the past year, CO₂ emissions in Europe have fallen by 2.5 %, 85 % of that coming from buildings, and heat pumps have been a major factor in achieving that success. 

Centers of Excellence in Schaffhausen

In addition to the arrival of the EMEALA Leadership Team in Schaffhausen, the creation of the Centers of Excellences (CoE) has been a significant milestone. The Centers bring together teams from different specialisms to work on strategic assets and how these will develop in the future. They play a key role in shaping the development of Johnson Controls globally and include IP (Intellectual Property), product- and brand development, trademarks, engineering, services, a Digital Solutions Hub with Engineering and an IT Center of Excellence. «We act as a central node for our global teams around the whole world. From our base here in Switzerland, we are well-placed to enable Johnson Controls to make a significant contribution to the energy transformation the world needs and to addressing climate change. And at the same time, our technologies mean people can feel more comfortable in indoor spaces and that has an impact on people’s health », Schulz sets out and summarizes the goals her teams in Schaffhausen are pursuing.

Why Schaffhausen?

Schaffhausen won over Johnson Controls thanks to its strategic location at the heart of Europe and affordability. «We occupy beautiful offices right on the banks of the River Rhine and right by the railway station, which has excellent, regular services direct into the international airport in Zurich. Schaffhausen provides a very competitive tax regime as well as access to top talent», Schulz comments, highlighting the location’s attractions. «We have an international team here. Our work in Schaffhausen is developing the future of our business. It’s important that we are able to attract top talent to work in our business and also to want to live here. » Jags Mukherjee adds. Svenja Schulz also underlines the exceptional quality of life in the Schaffhausen region: «We are able to find great talent, both locally and from further afield, who want to come and live here. » The international mix of staff is very important for Johnson Controls. «Many of our business functions operate at senior level and require international experience», Jags Mukherjee outlines. He recently moved to Switzerland from the Netherlands and has been working in Schaffhausen since 2022. Svenja Schulz also lives in Schaffhausen: «After working in various roles abroad and spending a few years travelling regularly between Johnson Controls’ offices in Florida and Schaffhausen, she and her family decided to move to Schaffhausen. » It’s turned out to be the right decision: her children have settled in quickly thanks to the International School in Schaffhausen and Svenja Schulz enjoys having office and home close together as well as the excellent quality of life on offer.

«We have an international team here. Our work in Schaffhausen is developing the future of our business. It’s important that we are able to attract top talent to work in our business and also to want to live here.» Jags Mukherjee, Vice President Human Resources for EMEALA

Schulz points picks out as a further benefit of Schaffhausen the easy access to the local government and public authorities. She also values the close working relationship with the Canton’s Economic Promotion Team. «If any concern arises, we are put in touch with the right person to speak to in the Canton, and they are always completely open in dealing with questions about doing business here. That’s a huge positive for us as a company.»