Appenzellerland often flies under the radar in B2B campaigns, wrongly so. Herisau is the cantonal capital, a Huber+Suhner location and home to hundreds of owner-managed businesses. SwissB2B researches the business contacts.
Herisau is the largest municipality and capital of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, one of Switzerland's smallest but most economically independent cantons. The town looks back on a rich textile industry history that shaped Appenzellerland for centuries and brought it prosperity. Today Herisau is a diverse SME location with around 15,900 residents, preserving its industrial tradition while setting new economic accents.
The transport connection to St. Gallen, only 15 minutes by Appenzeller Bahnen, makes Herisau an attractive location for companies that want to benefit from more affordable commercial space, lower tax rates and Appenzell quality of life without giving up proximity to the Eastern Switzerland centre with its 80,000 residents and university. This combination has led to quiet but steady economic development in recent years.
The cantonal administration of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is based in Herisau and is an important local employer. Spitalverbund Appenzell Ausserrhoden operates Herisau Hospital as the region's central healthcare provider. The textile tradition lives on in various forms: from the once flourishing textile industry, which made Appenzellerland known worldwide through embroidery, weaving and cotton processing, companies have emerged that now operate in related fields such as technical textiles, plastics processing and mechanical engineering.
Huber+Suhner, now a global technology group for electrical and optical connectivity technology headquartered in Herisau, has its roots in Eastern Switzerland's textile industry and is a prime example of the transition from textile business to high-tech company. Numerous craft businesses, joineries, metal construction firms, printers and regional service providers form the backbone of the local economy. The SME density is typical for Appenzellerland: many small, owner-managed businesses with high specialisation, long-standing tradition and close customer relationships.
Herisau's company landscape is shaped by small and medium-sized enterprises with high specialisation and strong regional roots. For providers targeting SMEs in crafts, trades and manufacturing, tool manufacturers, insurance agencies and IT solutions for small businesses, Appenzellerland offers a concentrated target group.
Combined with company data from St. Gallen and Wil, you can access the entire Eastern Switzerland economic area. Appenzell loyalty is an advantage in sales outreach: once recognised as a reliable partner, you are valued and recommended over the long term. The local trade associations regularly organise exchange formats that make it easier to get started.
In Herisau, work is valued and boasting is avoided. Business relationships are based on trust and personal acquaintance; those who do good work are appreciated without many words. These relationships can be built at the Appenzell Trade Day or at events organised by the Herisau trade association.
Enriched with contact data and Google reviews
Decision-maker with verified email
Need larger volumes, regular deliveries or advice?
Book a consultationAs cantonal capital and largest municipality of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Herisau has a considerable business density. The SME landscape includes hundreds of companies from trades, production and services. Combined with nearby St. Gallen and the wider canton of Ausserrhoden, this creates broad and loyal business development potential.
Herisau and Appenzellerland were a centre of the Swiss textile industry for centuries. Embroidery, weaving and cotton processing shaped the region. Today this heritage lives on in companies active in technical textiles, plastics processing and connectivity technology. Huber+Suhner, now a global technology group based in Herisau, has its roots in this tradition.
Yes, SwissB2B covers the entire canton, including Herisau, Teufen, Speicher, Wald, Heiden, Trogen and Hundwil. The canton is shaped by a lively SME landscape with many specialised small businesses and owner-managed companies.
While St. Gallen as a larger city offers a broad industry mix with universities, large companies and international flair, Herisau is more strongly shaped by SMEs, crafts and manufacturing. More affordable commercial space, lower taxes and Appenzell independence attract companies that value local roots and personal business relationships.
Huber+Suhner is a global technology group for electrical and optical connectivity technology headquartered in Herisau. The company has its roots in Eastern Switzerland's textile industry and employs more than 4,000 people worldwide. Locally, it generates demand among suppliers, IT service providers and technical consulting firms.
More questions about ordering, delivery and legal topics: full FAQ.
From CHF 39 for 100 current, enriched B2B contacts. Researched to your criteria, not exported from a generic database.