{"id":593,"date":"2026-09-07T11:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T09:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/?p=593"},"modified":"2026-09-07T15:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T13:52:15","slug":"relocating-smes-the-ftis-perspective-on-new-business-location-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/relocating-smes-the-ftis-perspective-on-new-business-location-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Relocating SMEs: the FTI\u2019s perspective on new business location challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

The transformation of the PAV (Praille-Acacias-Vernets) district is accelerating the search for new premises for Geneva\u2019s industrial and craft-based businesses. In this context, ORIX, located at the heart of ZIMEYSA, provides a concrete solution with flexible, accessible industrial condominium units designed to support the long-term development of SMEs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rui Ferreira, Director of Business Development and Support at the FTI (Fondation pour les Terrains Industriels), discusses the challenges surrounding these relocations, the key criteria influencing companies\u2019 decisions and the potential of the ZIMEYSA area.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are the main challenges today in relocating industrial and craft-based businesses from the PAV, and what role does the FTI play in supporting them?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The transformation of the Praille-Acacias-Vernets (PAV) district is one of the canton\u2019s largest urban development projects. This evolution entails the gradual relocation of industrial and craft-based businesses that make a significant contribution to Geneva\u2019s economy and local employment.<\/p>\n

The main challenge is to preserve these essential activities by providing suitable relocation solutions while supporting the development of this urban area. It is not simply a matter of moving companies, but of ensuring the continuity of their operations, jobs and existing expertise.<\/p>\n

In this context, the FTI acts as a facilitator and support partner. It works closely with the companies concerned to identify their specific needs, assess available land and property opportunities, and guide them towards solutions suited to their future development. The objective is to enable each company to remain in the canton and continue contributing to the region\u2019s economic vitality.<\/p>\n

What are the main criteria determining the future location of a company leaving the PAV: location, accessibility, type of premises, ownership versus rental, or proximity to partners?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every company has specific requirements, but certain criteria consistently emerge.<\/p>\n

Location naturally remains essential. Companies look for sites that are easily accessible for employees as well as for customers, suppliers and logistics partners. Proximity to major roads, public transport and rail infrastructure is often a decisive factor.<\/p>\n

The type of premises is also a key consideration. Depending on the nature of their activities, companies may have very different requirements in terms of ceiling height, floor load capacity, technical equipment, storage areas or production space.<\/p>\n

The form of occupancy is another important criterion. Some companies prefer to rent in order to retain flexibility, while others seek to own their premises in order to secure their location over the long term and gain greater control over their real estate costs.<\/p>\n

Price is, of course, a central factor in the decision-making process. Faced with rising real estate costs, industrial and craft-based businesses pay particular attention to balancing their operational requirements with their financial capacity. Rental levels, acquisition costs, operating expenses and the outlook for future costs all have a significant influence on the choice of location.<\/p>\n

Finally, the surrounding economic ecosystem is playing an increasingly important role. Proximity to customers, suppliers, technical partners and complementary businesses encourages synergies and helps enhance the competitiveness of SMEs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ZIMEYSA is often identified as one of the areas capable of accommodating companies relocating from the PAV. What potential do you see in the area, and which types of activities are particularly well suited to it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZIMEYSA has numerous advantages that make it a strategic location for industrial, craft-based and logistics activities in Geneva.<\/p>\n

Its geographical position, connections to the main transport routes, the presence of a L\u00e9man Express railway station and its already well-developed economic ecosystem are all significant advantages. The area is also benefiting from substantial investment, enabling the creation of new premises adapted to companies\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n

ZIMEYSA is particularly well suited to light manufacturing, specialised crafts, urban logistics, technical maintenance, industrial services and certain technology-related activities requiring mixed premises combining workshops and offices.<\/p>\n

It is also aligned with the canton\u2019s objective of developing high-performing business zones capable of accommodating companies over the long term while meeting current requirements in terms of mobility, densification and sustainability. Although mobility and congestion remain important concerns in the area, improvements are being prepared, notably through the development of new infrastructure and the expansion of public transport services, in order to support its continued development under the best possible conditions.<\/p>\n

What are the main advantages of industrial condominium ownership for an SME, particularly in terms of access to ownership, control over real estate costs and securing its long-term presence?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Industrial condominium ownership represents a particularly attractive opportunity for Geneva-based SMEs.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, it provides access to property ownership. Companies can therefore own their production premises according to their size and financial capacity.<\/p>\n

This model also provides greater control over real estate costs over the long term. Unlike renting, where rents may increase significantly, ownership offers greater visibility and can provide an important source of financial stability.<\/p>\n

In addition, owning premises strengthens a company\u2019s long-term ties to the region. It encourages long-term investment, secures business operations and can also facilitate the transfer of the company to future generations.<\/p>\n

Finally, industrial condominium ownership helps maintain productive activities in the canton over the long term. It provides a tangible means of strengthening Geneva\u2019s economic fabric by enabling SMEs to consolidate their presence and continue developing within a stable and controlled environment.<\/p>\n

ORIX: a long-term base for SMEs<\/strong><\/p>\n

At a time when SMEs are seeking to secure their business locations while maintaining control over real estate costs, industrial condominium ownership represents a particularly relevant solution.<\/p>\n

With its strategic location in ZIMEYSA, flexible premises and the opportunity to become an owner, ORIX provides companies with an environment designed to secure their operations and support their long-term development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The transformation of the PAV (Praille-Acacias-Vernets) district is accelerating the search for new premises for Geneva\u2019s industrial and craft-based businesses. In this context, ORIX, located at the heart of ZIMEYSA, provides a concrete solution with flexible, accessible industrial condominium units designed to support the long-term development of SMEs. Rui Ferreira, Director of Business Development and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":514,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=593"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":600,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593\/revisions\/600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orix-gva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}