On October 21, the first Townhall meeting of Oerlikon’s Luxury business sector took place, bringing together employees from Oerlikon Riri and Oerlikon Fineparts, connected from Switzerland, Italy, France, and Portugal. The event featured the participation of Dirk Linzmeier (Chief Operating Officer of Oerlikon), Katharina Rick (President of Oerlikon Luxury), and Ralph Balmer (Head of HR of Oerlikon Luxury), who joined live from the Mendrisio site.
First Townhall meeting for Oerlikon Riri and Oerlikon Fineparts
It was an occasion for sharing and reflection, designed to strengthen the sense of belonging and to communicate the vision for the future of the Luxury sector within the Group.
Dr. Dirk Linzmeier opened the Townhall by addressing key topics such as the role of the Luxury segment within Oerlikon, its current and future strategy, and by providing an overview of the challenges and opportunities in the luxury market.
In her speech, Katharina Rick shared some of the most significant achievements reached in 2025: the acquisition of new clients, the transition toward the use of stainless steel and Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), numerous technological and product innovations, and ongoing improvement projects.
Ralph Balmer then highlighted the value of human capital, emphasizing the importance of engagement initiatives, listening programs, and collaboration among colleagues from different sites within the Group.
The meeting concluded with an open dialogue, during which participants had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the speakers, fostering a constructive and transparent exchange. The event marks an important step toward a corporate culture that is increasingly shared, participatory, and future-oriented!