Michel Perrin, Chief Executive Officer of UDITIS, was born in Fleurier.

UDITIS SA was established in 2000. A spin-off from the Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechniques (CSEM – Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology), UDITIS SA works in the field of information systems.

The canton of Neuchâtel in three words?

Small: in Neuchâtel, industrial and economic activities focus on miniaturised products.

Perfect: we pay attention to detail and are perfectionists.

Discreet: little is made of our successes. This allows us to make quiet progress, and we are rarely in the limelight. All this probably stems from the watchmaking culture.

What led you to choose Neuchâtel for your company?

I’m originally from Val-de-Travers (so neither upper nor lower Neuchâtel) and I’ve always loved this wonderful region with its superb quality of life. The size of the canton means you can quickly feel at home here and be near the town, the lake and the mountains all at once. In recruitment terms, the environment favours the intake of long-term employees who very quickly take to these excellent living conditions.

What do you think of the industrial and economic dynamism of the Neuchâtel region?

In my opinion, we are more innovative in the modification of processes, in the ability to develop the things we already master and in lean management, than in breakthrough innovation. This is probably due to our history and perfectionism. But in the internet era, it is important to be able to adapt initial hypotheses, change models, and come up with things that differ from what has always been done in the past.

What challenges do you face in your company?

In today’s globally volatile context, visibility for the future is relatively limited, which is why we need to be both flexible and agile. On the other hand, the infrastructure and administrative conditions are favourable for a company in Switzerland and in Neuchâtel. It is easy to build up a network and there are few administrative barriers. Certain support initiatives, like the impulse programmes, are very useful, too.

How do you imagine Neuchâtel in 10 years’ time?

At present, emphasis is often placed on boundaries, which have historical and even nationalistic significance. But the issues at stake are not linked to economic or linguistic barriers. It is rather to worldwide conditions, like nature and the climate, that we should be turning our attention. And as a region for experimentation or even as a source of inspiration, Neuchâtel has a role to play. For we have all the required technology on hand to improve quality of life on Earth. If we can continue to limit our propensity to establish ivory towers, to work together and to do away with useless secrecy, our avant-garde technologies could make all the difference.

Your favourite place in the canton of Neuchâtel?

Neuchâtel’s town harbour in the summer. It has changed a lot over the last few years and has a very pleasant atmosphere, reinforcing links that I think are indispensable.

Last news of Uditis
Phase pilote du carnet ATA digital, 18th June 2019