Vallemaggia, a maxi-construction wedding saves 100 jobs

Context

In brief

• VDM Holding SA is born, a construction giant in the Maggia Valley.
• The operation saves about 100 jobs in total.
• Official operation set for January 1, 2027.
• Companies will retain original names, traditions, and values.

Key Facts

• What: Merger of four construction companies into a holding company
• When: Operational from 1 January 2027
• Where: Prato Sornico, Vallemaggia
• Who: Vedova Trasporti SA, Demartini&Moretti SA, Mignami SA, Campana SA
• Objective: Preservation of about 100 jobs

The news of the union between four historic construction companies in the Maggia Valley was made official last Friday in Prato Sornico, marking a crucial step for the local business landscape. The creation of VDM Holding AG represents a strategic operation aimed at consolidating the regional construction sector, guaranteeing stability to a hundred employees. Gabriele Dazio, mayor of Lavizzara, welcomed the announcement, calling it a strong message for the entire region. The initiative stems from the decision of Vedova Trasporti SA, based in Lavizzara, and Demartini & Moretti SA of Brontallo, to acquire Mignami SA of Cevio and the company Campana SA of Riveo. The latter, active for 90 years in the area, was seriously at risk of closure, bringing with it the real danger of leaving about fifteen families without a source of income. The synergy aims to create a solid entity capable of facing the challenges of the sector, while maintaining a management rooted in the Valmaggese area.

A long-term strategic vision

The structure of the newly formed holding company provides that each individual company continues to operate under its own brand, preserving the traditions and values built over more than 250 years of combined entrepreneurial history. Daniele Vedova underlined how the protection of jobs was the top priority, especially in the case of Campana SA. The inclusion of Mignami SA, which has about thirty employees, represents the second step in this consolidation project. Operations at full capacity, as stated by the managers, will officially begin on January 1, 2027, the time necessary to better structure the integration of the various company realities. This operation is not limited to a pure corporate act, but is configured as a choice of social responsibility aimed at avoiding the fragmentation of historical competences in a valley that has to face the demographic and economic challenges typical of the peripheral areas of the Canton of Ticino.

Operational details

The impact of this operation goes beyond the mere economic data, touching the very fiber of the social resilience of peripheral areas. For workers in the sector, this union represents a guarantee of stability, at a time when family businesses risk closure due to lack of succession. The fact that businesses remain run by people from the valley is seen as a positive sign for both current employees and the younger generation. The continuity guaranteed by VDM Holding SA allows it to maintain skills in the area that would otherwise be dispersed. Andrea Sartori, mayor of Maggia, highlighted how this initiative shows that it is possible to live, work and raise one's children in the valley, countering the phenomenon of depopulation.

Business continuity analysis

The following table illustrates the historical and employment value of the realities involved, based on the information disclosed by the owners and municipal representatives:

The decision to maintain a separate identity for each company responds to the need to maintain the link with local customers, a fundamental aspect for Swiss small and medium-sized construction companies. For those who work in this sector, the stability provided by a holding structure means being able to look to the future with greater serenity than the risks associated with individual management in an increasingly competitive market. This integration model, aimed at preserving local employment, offers food for thought on how Ticino companies can deal with the shortage of successors, transforming a potential crisis into an opportunity for collective growth. The resilience shown by the Maggia Valley at this juncture is, according to the local authorities, a demonstration of economic vitality that infuses energy into the entire region, ensuring that technical skills are not lost but, on the contrary, strengthened under a unified leadership capable of managing resources more efficiently.

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Key points

The creation of the holding company, although an operation between companies, has direct implications for employees and for anyone looking for a job in the Ticino construction sector. The solidity guaranteed by the new corporate structure, which will become operational in 2027, ensures contractual continuity that represents a cornerstone for employees' family and financial planning. Those who work or intend to work in the construction sector in Ticino must pay attention to the solidity of their employer, especially in a context where company succession is often a critical issue. VDM Holding SA is an example of how the protection of human capital can coincide with the economic interests of the companies themselves, ensuring that families do not have to leave their region of residence to find stable and lasting employment.

Outlook for the construction sector

For the workers, the transition to the new holding company should not result in immediate changes in their daily lives, as the brands and traditions will remain unchanged. However, it is always a good idea for those employed or looking for work in the Canton of Ticino to monitor their salary position and contributions paid, using the simulation tools available. To learn more about the calculation of your net income, you can consult the tools on the portal for a precise estimate of the paycheck based on the current Swiss tax and social security provisions.

The integration process between the four companies, which will be completed by 2027, underlines the importance of monitoring corporate changes that may affect the stability of one's employment. For those who want to check the contractual conditions or the calculation of their monthly salary, the portal provides the calcolatore stipendio which allows you to accurately simulate the impact of social deductions, such as AHV and BVG, which are essential for retirement. Staying informed about the corporate developments of the companies in which you are employed is the best form of protection for the worker. We remind you that the correct classification and verification of the payslip are essential for every employee, regardless of the size of the company for which you work. The example of the Maggia Valley shows that, through responsible planning, it is possible to guarantee the working future of an entire valley.

Source: tio.ch