When it comes to sustainability, size doesn’t determine impact. At ABB’s Electrification Service workshop in Zuzwil, Switzerland, a team of just 25 people has shown how small sites can lead the way in climate action. As the first standalone service workshop in ABB to achieve Mission to Zero™, Zuzwil proves that meaningful change is possible anywhere – with the right mindset, smart technology and a commitment to doing things differently.
We spoke with Angeles Fernandez, who leads ABB’s Electrification Service business in Switzerland, to learn more about Zuzwil’s journey and what other small sites can learn from it.
Why is it significant that a small site like Zuzwil reached Mission to Zero™?
Zuzwil is a service and logistics hub in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen, in operation since 1970. With just 25 employees, it’s much smaller than most ABB sites, but we punch above our weight. Our workshop serves the Swiss market with testing capabilities, warehousing and a central base for Field Service Engineers across the country.
People sometimes assume you need massive manufacturing facilities to make a real impact. We're proving that's not true. Small sites can be just as innovative, just as committed and just as effective in reducing emissions.
What sparked the sustainability journey at Zuzwil?
It started in 2017 with a clear vision: make Zuzwil an all-electric building. Since then, the team has reduced both energy consumption and costs by more than 50 percent compared to the 2019 thanks to smart infrastructure changes and a mindset of continuous improvement. Upgrades included:
- A brine-to-water heat pump for efficient heating
- 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient windows and roller shutters for thermal insulation
- Automated HVAC and lighting controls
- Main switches in meeting rooms to eliminate standby power.
The standout feature is a state-of-the-art photovoltaic carport that generates renewable energy and powers EV charging stations, delivering both environmental and financial benefits. It’s a great example of how sustainability and business performance can go hand in hand.
How do you track progress and make sure improvements stick?
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Using ABB Ability™ Nsight for real-time energy management and monitoring, the team can understand its energy consumption, identify inefficiencies, optimize usage and make data-driven decisions. It is not about one-time, quick fixes but about ongoing optimization and learning.
What role does the team play in driving sustainability?
With 25 people, everyone plays a role. There’s a strong sense of ownership and accountability, which powers the site’s sustainability efforts. The team also extends its impact beyond the workshop, partnering with a local community member with a disability who contributes to maintaining the facility – giving them a sense of purpose and engagement in a workplace setting, and highlighting the social side of sustainability.
Why is this important for Switzerland and the service sector?
Switzerland has ambitious climate goals, and every sector needs to contribute. Workshops like ours are often overlooked in sustainability strategies, but we’re showing that even small sites can make a big impact.
If a 25-person workshop can make progress towards net zero operations, perhaps other sites can too. By operating more sustainably, we also support our customers’ and partners’ sustainability goals for Scope 3 emissions reduction and help raise the bar for energy efficiency across the sector.
What's next for Zuzwil?
We're committed to achieving Zero Waste to Landfill by 2030. We're also exploring a battery energy storage system using second-life EV batteries, which would boost our energy resilience and give those batteries a new purpose.
We'll continue optimizing energy use and launching new initiatives to strengthen our sustainability journey. As we gather more comprehensive data, we'll better understand where we are and where we need to focus next. The advantage of being small is we can test, learn and adapt quickly, then share those lessons with other workshops across ABB and beyond.
What advice would you give to other small sites looking to start their sustainability journey?
Don't wait for the perfect moment or the perfect data set. Start where you are. Measure what you can. Engage your people. Every site, regardless of size, has opportunities to take steps forward in reducing emissions and improving efficiency. Zuzwil is showing that when you combine innovation with commitment, even a small team can make progress worth sharing.
Mission to Zero isn't reserved for flagship factories. It's a journey for everyone, and we’re proud to be on it.
