The Ammann Group, a major manufacturing concern, came under the leadership of Johann Schneider-Ammann in 1990, marking the fourth generation of family control. An electrical engineer by training, he balanced his career in private industry with a significant political trajectory that eventually led him to the highest executive office within the Swiss Confederation.
Academic Foundation and Early Roles
Born in Sumiswald in 1952, he pursued technical education at ETH Zürich, where he graduated in 1977. He subsequently expanded his expertise into management through an MBA at INSEAD, completed in 1983. His early professional years included a project management position at Oerlikon-Bührle between 1978 and 1981.
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Schneider-Ammann joined the Ammann Group in 1984. He assumed the roles of president and chairman of the organization in 1990, overseeing its operations until 2010. During this period, he also served as the chair of Swissmem, a corporate union, starting in 1999.
Political Tenure
His national political career began with his election to the Swiss National Council in 1999. In 2010, he joined the Swiss Federal Council, taking charge of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. His career at the federal level included serving as Vice President in 2015 and President of the Swiss Confederation in 2016. He concluded his service on the Federal Council at the end of 2018.
International Engagements
During his government tenure, Schneider-Ammann held several institutional responsibilities, including serving as an ex-officio member of the Board of Governors for both the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He was also a member of the Joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Sumiswald
- Education: ETH Zürich; INSEAD
- President of the Swiss Confederation: 2016
- Member of Swiss Federal Council: 2010-2018
- Member of Swiss National Council: 1999-2010
- Industry: Ammann Group
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Religion: Reformed
Questions readers ask
What was his role in the Swiss government?
He served as a member of the Federal Council from 2010 to 2018 and held the office of President of the Swiss Confederation in 2016.
Which educational institutions did he attend?
He graduated as an electrical engineer from ETH Zürich in 1977 and obtained an MBA from INSEAD in 1983.
Achievements
- Educated at ETH Zurich and INSEAD
- Worked as politician, industrialist and engineer
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