ADES
ADES is a Swiss non-profit association that manufactures and distributes solar and energy-efficient cookers in Madagascar through a network of 200+ independent resellers, reducing household wood consumption by 50-70% while addressing deforestation and indoor air pollution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMettmenstetten, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ADES does
ADES (Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire Suisse-Madagascar) is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 2001 and headquartered in Mettmenstetten, Switzerland, that manufactures and distributes solar and energy-efficient cookers in Madagascar to combat deforestation and indoor air pollution. The organization operates a hybrid model between Swiss non-profit fundraising and local entrepreneurship, with over 250 direct employees in Madagascar (over 95% from local communities) plus approximately 200 jobs at local supplier-resellers. ADES produces cookers at a factory in Fianarantsoa and distributes them through a nationwide network of over 200 independent resellers (predominantly women) plus regional offices spanning at least 12 Malagasy cities.
The organization's core products are solar and energy-efficient cookers (Energiesparkocher) that reduce household wood and charcoal consumption by 50-70% compared to open-fire cooking, addressing the 4-6 tons of wood that a Malagasy household typically consumes annually. Beyond cookers, ADES operates a three-pillar model spanning Clean Cooking (M100), Environmental Education reaching 30,000 schoolchildren annually (M232), Reforestation targeting 1.5 million trees planted, plus Modular Institutional Kitchens for schools, the Village+ community development program, and Empowerment Workshops (M233) to strengthen the reseller network. The organization has produced over 1 million energy-efficient cookers since inception.
ADES's revenue model is a hybrid combining hardware sales of cookers to end-users through resellers with donations and project funding sourced via the Swiss headquarters. Pricing for individual cookers is not publicly disclosed. The organization is independent and not backed by venture capital or private equity, relying instead on donations, project partnerships, and product revenue, with governance through a Swiss Vorstand (Board of Directors) chaired by Herbert Blaser and country-level operations led by CEO Madagaskar Maryn Mohn Drouet. ADES has received the Energy Globe Award in recognition of its sustainable development work.
ADES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ADES
- Legal name
- ADES Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire Suisse-Madagascar
- Website
- https://ades-solaire.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- ADES is a Swiss non-profit association that manufactures and distributes solar and energy-efficient cookers in Madagascar through a network of 200+ independent resellers, reducing household wood consumption by 50-70% while addressing deforestation and indoor air pollution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ADES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clean Cooking Devices
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry (115), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (113210), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)
- SIC
- Electric Housewares & Fans (3634), Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD), Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management (BPADALAG), Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD)
Keywords
Where ADES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mettmenstetten
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices13 records
Markets served
ADES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales (Cooker Distribution): ADES produces and distributes solar and energy-efficient cookers through a network of over 200 independent resellers. Revenue is generated through product sales to end-users in Madagascar, with resellers earning income as independent entrepreneurs.
- Donations and Project Funding: As a Swiss non-profit organization (NPO), ADES raises funds through donations and project partnerships to support its mission of sustainable development in Madagascar, including clean cooking, environmental education, and reforestation programs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
ADES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ADES manufactures and distributes solar and energy-efficient cookers (Energiesparkocher) in Madagascar that reduce household wood and charcoal consumption by 50-70%, complemented by environmental education programs in schools and reforestation projects. The organization runs a hybrid non-profit/local-entrepreneurship model with over 250 Malagasy staff and a nationwide network of 200+ independent resellers.
Product overview
ADES operates as a Swiss non-profit organization (NPO) with a hybrid model between charity and local entrepreneurship, implementing a three-pillar approach in Madagascar: Clean Cooking (solar and energy-efficient cookers), Environmental Education, and Reforestation. The organization produces and distributes energy-efficient cookers through a network of over 200 independent resellers across Madagascar, with production facilities in Fianarantsoa. Key project offerings include M100 (Clean Cooking), M232 (Environmental Education for schoolchildren), M233 (Empowerment workshops for resellers), modular institutional kitchens (Grossküchen), and reforestation initiatives including the TAPIA x ADES agroecological project. The organization also operates the Village+ program and generates impact through education, distribution networks, and sustainable forestry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- M100 Clean Cooking — Solar and Energy-Efficient Cookers (Energiesparkocher) Manufactured solar and energy-efficient cookers (Energiesparkocher) sold and distributed to Malagasy families to significantly reduce wood and charcoal consumption. Depending on the model, the cookers save 50 to 70 percent of fuel material, addressing deforestation and indoor air pollution.
- Modular Institutional Kitchens (Grossküchen)
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy-efficient cookers save 50 to 70 percent of fuel compared to open-fire cooking
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ADES
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ADES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
ADES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ADES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ADES social profiles
Digital presenceADES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ADES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
ADES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ADES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ADES
What does ADES do?
ADES manufactures and distributes solar and energy-efficient cookers (Energiesparkocher) in Madagascar that reduce household wood and charcoal consumption by 50-70%, complemented by environmental education programs in schools and reforestation projects. The organization runs a hybrid non-profit/local-entrepreneurship model with over 250 Malagasy staff and a nationwide network of 200+ independent resellers.
Is ADES a public or private company?
ADES is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ADES founded?
ADES was founded in 2001. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is ADES based?
ADES is headquartered in Mettmenstetten, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does ADES make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (Cooker Distribution) is the primary driver. The others are donations and Project Funding.
Does ADES have an API?
No public API is recorded for ADES.
What industry is ADES in?
ADES's product category is Clean Cooking Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAF, Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling), with a secondary code of BPAGAGAD, Forestry & Reforestation. Its NAICS code is 115 and its SIC code is 3634.