Christoph Kilian, you are the new CEO of V-ZUG. What motivated you to take on this role?
V-ZUG stands out as a true gem in the industry – an iconic brand known for innovation which is deeply rooted in Switzerland and holds a very strong position in its home market. From my perspective, there is great potential for us to strengthen our unique position on the international stage and I’m looking forward to helping make the company fit for the future.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional background? What experiences have shaped you the most?
After completing my studies, I began my career as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company, where I gained valuable experience in analytics, project management and delivering high-quality results. Over the next two decades at BSH, I navigated the complexities of the European and global markets and tackled the daily challenges involved in understanding and meeting consumer needs. One particularly exciting chapter was my role as Marketing Director in Moscow in 2005. Leading an international brand would turn out to be a transformative experience that significantly shaped my perspective. Following that, I joined Robert Bosch Power Tools, where I took on global responsibility for the accessories business unit in Solothurn, Switzerland, from 2019 to 2023. In my last two years there, I also served on the Executive Board of Power Tools. I was truly inspired by the strong sense of dedication, accountability and entrepreneurial spirit within the international, user-driven teams.
What evolution can V-ZUG customers and stakeholders expect? And what will remain constant?
Innovative technologies will continue to strengthen our market position, ensuring that our products seamlessly integrate into our users’ lives. That is what V-ZUG is known for and what we will continue to deliver. At the same time, service is becoming an increasingly important differentiator and this is something that reflects V-ZUG’s core values. Together with the team, I am committed to continuing to grow our leadership in this area, with a strong focus on performance, reliability and enhanced offerings for our customers. Beyond that, we are also embracing the high-end architectural segment of the market at both an international and a local level.
The premium household appliance market is highly competitive. What do you think differentiates V-ZUG from its competitors?
V-ZUG’s strong product portfolio is key here, particularly in the steamer segment which delivers exceptional functionality. V-ZUG is also renowned for its strong commitment to service: it has the largest Swiss-based after-sales service team in the industry, with 700 service professionals operating worldwide to ensure prompt on-site customer support. Among its larger competitors, V-ZUG stands out for its distinctive circular design vision. To strengthen this, we recently introduced a ten-point manifesto to guide our designers in shaping a sustainable approach to the future. Agility is another key differentiator that will serve V-ZUG now and in future. It is a true asset in an industry where such flexibility is not always a given. And last but not least, it is our people – V-ZUG’s experienced and dedicated team in Zug and across its locations – combined with the valuable and reliable partnerships that it continues to nurture and grow.
