Annette Heimlicher: “Instability Has Become Permanent”

Founded in 1972 and based in Corminboeuf, Contrinex has established itself as a recognized player in industrial sensors. Annette Heimlicher, who joined the company in 2005 and has led it since 2012, shares her perspective on recent developments.

Contrinex operates in a changing industrial environment. What has changed the most in recent years?

What has fundamentally changed is that instability has become permanent. My father, who founded the company, certainly experienced difficult periods, but also long phases of stability and growth. Over the past decade, however, we have been operating in a much more volatile environment, shaped by successive crises, where geopolitical tensions are almost immediately reflected in demand. In practical terms, as soon as uncertainty arises, our customers halt or postpone their orders. These “stop-and-go” patterns make demand harder to anticipate and have a direct impact on our business.

Your Smart Camera 3D opens up new perspectives. Where do you stand today?

We launched the camera at the end of November 2025 and presented it at SPS in Nuremberg, a leading trade fair for industrial automation. Market interest has been strong, beyond our expectations. This product allows us to address complex applications that our sensors could not previously cover.

A telling example is logistics centers, a field we had not initially identified. In increasingly automated processes, the camera is used, for instance, at the end of the line to verify that boxes are complete. This confirms the importance of bringing products to market quickly, confronting them with real-world use cases, and continuing to refine them.

In terms of sales, we have exceeded our initial projections over the first five months. The solution is not yet fully mature, but its potential is very promising.

You won the IFF Prize 2024–2025 with this camera. What has this recognition changed for you?

From a market perspective, the impact remains relatively limited. Internally, however, it is very significant. This prize represents recognition of our vision and innovative capacity by the Fribourg business community. The process itself, from preparing the application to discussions with the jury, also strengthened team cohesion. It has been a strong source of pride and motivation.

What role does the Fribourg ecosystem play in your development?

It is decisive. We can rely on highly trained, committed, and loyal employees. Infrastructure, particularly in terms of mobility and housing, access to talent, and proximity to universities create a highly favorable environment. We are present worldwide, but Fribourg remains a key anchor for our development.

Another factor that makes a difference is the quality of exchanges with public authorities. Having regular dealings with administrations abroad in the countries where we operate, I am often struck by the ease of contact and the willingness to listen that we experience in Fribourg. I genuinely believe this is quite unique.

www.contrinex.com