Who we are

We are and want to remain an independent family business. We develop, produce and sell high quality products and services. We consider our core business to be in: developing, producing and selling household sewing and embroidery systems as well as sewing related products. The rapid pace of change in the economy, technology, environment and in our society as a whole presents a challenge to which we respond with innovative strength, flexibility, productivity and efficiency. We chose the most suitable locations throughout the world for our business activities in order to sustain and enhance our competitiveness. Steckborn is and remains the centre of our product development. For the best possible production, we equally use both manufacturing sites in Thailand and Steckborn.

Our customers are the centre focus of all our activities. Our marketing effort is aimed at the requirements in textile creativity such as embroidery, quilting, home decoration, sewing and handicraft. We capitalize on our core skills in the range of long living products to generate and evaluate business in other markets. Our products and services provide our customers with real benefits and meet their requirements. Our products are technologically leading and distinguished by high functionality and easy handling. We operate on a world-wide scale, but we concentrate on those key markets which respond best to our marketing efforts. With the products of the BERNINA Group, we want to reach market leadership in all those markets in  which we are active.

Our concept of quality

The central tenet of the BERNINA group is uncompromising quality in everything we do. Uncompromising quality means satisfying

customer needs in the most economically efficient way, in other words by maximizing all available resources. Every employee has a responsibility to our customers whether within or out side the company. Our well proven and professional (highly developed) quality control system ensures the required quality standards are set, that they are met and that they can be monitored effectively. High importance is attached to rigorous personal quality control.

Our employees

Well motivated, well trained and productive employees form the cornerstones of our success. The company operates in an atmosphere of trust, respect and honesty. We expect and encourage entrepreneurial lair at all levels, based on a well structured and transparent information policy commensurate with an appropriate freedom of action. We support our employees' personal and career development with suitably ambitious and challenging tasks and by providing basic and higher professional and management training in social-,  eadershipand professional competence. Every employee is responsible for keeping up to date with current levels of professional skill and know how. Our remuneration is based on market forces, individual responsibilities and achievements and on company

performance.

Our business potential

We need to generate high contribution in order to safeguard the company's future and provide a high proportion of owned capital. A large part of our cash flow will be reinvested. The allocation of resources is determined by the need to optimise contribution long-term.

Our company style

Teamwork is an important factor in achieving our objectives. We are committed to a policy of openness, constructive criticism and dialogue based on a high degree of mutual trust. We are loyal and sincere to customers as well as to our superiors, colleagues and co-workers. We treat our suppliers as partners with a view to obtaining value-for-money quality products and services. We are open to innovation. Mutual business interests have first priority to personal advancement. While protecting our commercial interests we accept and seek to comply with any restrictions and directives which benefit the environment.

Our management

We manage by declared, firm objectives forward looking, innovative and team orientated. Problems are solved by joint effort appropriate to the situation. We delegate responsibility with commensurate authority. We make clear decisions which are implemented vigorously and convincingly and which are respected. A key management responsibility is in selecting, encouraging and advising employees as well as in setting and achieving objectives. Management by example, and approachability are what distinguish our executives at all levels.