100 innovative SMEs in French-speaking Switzerland
FIVECO Engineering firm Innovation: multiple creations in microtechnology (mechanical, electronic, software) Founded: 2002 Director: Antoine Lorotte Location: Mont-sur-Lausanne Number of employees: 10
"As an engineering firm, innovation is our trade," assures FiveCo director Antoine Lorotte. Active for nearly fifteen years, the company brings together nine engineers in microtechnology from EPFL and distinguishes itself across extremely varied fields. It has, for example, developed a series of digital or motorised display stands for the watchmaking sector, medical applications, an automotive battery management system, as well as various robotic devices. Among its clients, one can mention Nespresso, Hublot, Bobst, and Alstom.
Its latest non-confidential project consists of the development of a cigar box of rare complexity. Developed in collaboration and for the luxury company Imperiali in Geneva, this object required 17,000 hours of work, more than 3,500 parts, 71 printed circuits, and 21 motors. This article, manufactured in 12 copies per year, notably features a temperature and humidity regulator that extracts water from the ambient air, an automated cigar cutter, and a motorised ashtray.
