Carolin Roth X Barend Fruithof
At home in two worlds: From banker to industrial CEO
Barend Fruithof on his unusual career path, Switzerland's lack of pride in its banks, and his concerns about Switzerland as a manufacturing location.
First he was a farmer, then a banker, and now he is the CEO of an international industrial company: Barend Fruithof's career path has been shaped by coincidences and flexibility. In this interview, the CEO of Aebi Schmidt explains why he switched to the corporate world at the age of 50, what significance banks have for him today as a corporate customer, and why Switzerland would do well to take care of both its banking center and its manufacturing base.
The podcasts are available — by episodes — in German or French.
CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aebi Schmidt Group
Barend Fruithof
Barend Fruithof has been CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aebi Schmidt Group, a leading global manufacturer of special-purpose vehicles, since 2017. The company employs around 6'000 people in more than a dozen plants worldwide. Fruithof is also a member of the Board of Directors of several companies. Prior to this, he held management positions at various banks for around 25 years. He holds an Executive MBA from HSG St. Gallen.
Host
Carolin Roth
Carolin Roth is a financial journalist, moderator and reporter boasting over 17 years’ experience with CNBC International in Zurich and London, where she has presented live programmes on financial markets, business and politics for an international audience. She now works on a freelance basis for NZZ Connect, Handelsblatt and Forbes, among others, and moderates conferences on such topics as sustainable investment, geopolitics and the digital transformation. With her excellent specialist knowledge, international experience and self-assured manner, she makes complex economic relationships easy to understand, be it on stage, in the studio or on a podcast.
