Product details

The Berlinger Group case introduces and analyses the cultural heritage of a firm rooted in family tradition, trying to stick to its core-values and yet being successful at innovation. Berlinger has been transforming its business throughout its 150 years of history. It has evolved by cycling through the four big industrial revolutions to fit into the next Industrial Age. Several times during its history, the Berlinger company was forced to diversify its products and reinvent itself. Berlinger has not only survived crises, but also consolidated the loyalty of its workforce and diversified into various new product lines, while maintaining the top-quality image of the Berlinger brand. It has currently transformed its business to meet the trend of controlling and monitoring temperature using digital technology. The case focuses on the company’s decision as to whether to acquire the Dutch firm Antares. From a management perspective, can Berlinger group succeed at integrating the employees of the firm from the Netherlands into a traditionally Swiss culture? Throughout the case, readers will receive an excellent example of a family-owned and managed Swiss business and its approach to innovation and product diversification while staying true to the company’s original values.