Karakas and Francais

What Karakas and Francais does

Karakas & Français SA (KFSA) is a Swiss geotechnical and geological engineering consultancy headquartered in Lausanne, founded in 1964 (current corporate entity established in 1995 as a spin-off from the geotechnical department of Schopfer et Karakas SA). The firm provides multidisciplinary engineering services spanning soil investigation, foundation design, deep excavation support in urban environments, geological modeling, contaminated site remediation, natural hazard evaluation, geothermal system design, and in-house laboratory testing. KFSA serves cantonal and federal government agencies, public transport authorities, healthcare institutions, educational institutions, and private real estate developers across Western Switzerland (Suisse romande).

The firm's technical stack combines five core service domains — Géotechnique, Géostructures, Géologie, Environnement, and Essais et Mesures — with nine specialized modules including Géothermie, Hydrogéologie, Dangers naturels, Modélisation numérique (Plaxis 2D and ZSoil 3D finite element analysis), Pédologie, Sites pollués, Polluants du bâtiment, Suivi environnemental, and BIM-enabled Dessin géotechnique. KFSA operates an in-house soil laboratory and in-situ measurement capabilities (inclinometers, piezometers, vibration analysis), and applies BIM methodology for 4D phasing and conflict detection on complex underground projects.

KFSA generates revenue through project-based professional services fees tied to scope, complexity, and duration of engineering studies, design work, and construction supervision. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales to public and institutional clients across Lausanne, Geneva, Martigny, and Bulle, with no channel intermediaries. The firm employs approximately 60 specialists — including EPFL-trained civil engineers, geologists (UNIL), and environmental scientists — and has completed over 10,000 projects since 1964. Notable engagements include the CHUV Children's Hospital, HUG Beau-Séjour link well and gallery, CFF Immobilier's Pont-Rouge residential complex, Swissgrid's Chamoson-Chippis power line foundations, and the LEB railway tunnel modernization. The firm holds the SPSC (Spécialistes de la Protection des Sols sur les Chantiers) certification from the Société Suisse de Pédologie.

Name

Karakas and Francais

Legal name

Karakas et Français SA

Website

https://kfsa.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Karakas & Français (KFSA) is a Swiss geotechnical and geological engineering consultancy serving government agencies, developers, healthcare, and education institutions across Western Switzerland through soil investigation, foundation design, deep excavation, environmental, and laboratory testing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geotechnical Engineering Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Shallow Foundations & Ground Support (Footings, Rafts, Ground Beams) (IMAFAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring (Settlement, Inclinometers, Piezometers) (IMAFAOAH), Foundations & Geotechnical Works (Piles, Anchors, Ground Improvement) (EUAMAFAB)

Keywords

• Geotechnical engineering
• Soil investigation
• Foundation design
• Environmental consulting
• Laboratory testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Geotechnical engineering consulting: Project-based professional services for soil investigation, geotechnical reports, foundation recommendations, and construction monitoring. Revenue generated through consulting fees for studies, design work, and technical supervision of construction projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Karakas & Français (KFSA) is a Swiss Romandie geotechnical engineering consultancy providing integrated soil, foundation, geological, environmental, and laboratory testing services. The firm delivers complete project lifecycle support — from soil investigation, geological modeling, and geostructure design through numerical modeling, construction monitoring, and environmental compliance — for public infrastructure, real estate developers, healthcare, and educational institutions in Western Switzerland. They maintain in-house laboratory and in-situ testing capabilities along with numerical modeling (Plaxis 2D, ZSoil 3D) and BIM-enabled project delivery.

Product overview

Karakas & Français (KFSA) is a Swiss Romandie geotechnical engineering firm offering an integrated portfolio of five core service domains (Géotechnique, Géostructures, Géologie, Environnement, Essais et Mesures) supported by nine specialized service modules (Géothermie, Dangers naturels, Hydrogéologie, Modélisation numérique, Pédologie, Polluants du bâtiment, Sites pollués, Suivi environnemental de réalisation, Dessin géotechnique). The firm operates as a unified service offering rather than a modular software platform, providing complete geotechnical engineering services from soil investigation and site assessment through design, modeling, construction monitoring, and environmental compliance. Projects span civil engineering infrastructure, urban excavations, tunnels, foundations, contaminated site remediation, and geothermal systems across Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Géotechnique

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ successful projects completed since 1964
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• EDMS SAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Civil engineering firm for HUG Beau-Séjour well and gallery project where KFSA acted as geotechnical subconsultant for study, design, and construction supervision of special works and excavation
• Various cantonal and federal authoritiescoreOthers · 1 January 2020Cantonal and federal authorities for natural hazard assessment, environmental permits, and construction approvals required for geotechnical projects across Western Switzerland
• HRS (HRS Real Estate SA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019General contractor for the CHUV Children's Hospital project where KFSA provided specialized geotechnical engineering, design of secant piles, Berlin walls, and tunnel construction support in an active hospital environment
• ImpleniacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Excavation contractor for CHUV Children's Hospital project, executing special geotechnical works under KFSA's engineering supervision
• Bricks Construction SA / Gestrag SAmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Construction partners for Cité internationale du Grand Morillon IHEID building project involving KFSA's pedological studies, geotechnical support, and clear water infiltration analysis
• PG Promotors SA / Urban Project SAcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Development partners for Quartier de l'Étang project in Vernier, a 400m x 600m residential and activity zone where KFSA managed all preparatory work including diaphragm walls, Berlin walls, nailed walls, barrette foundations, piles, and rigid inclusions
• Dénériaz SA (consortium lead)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Consortium for Chamoson Chippis power line (Swissgrid SA) where KFSA designed and supervised 44 foundation structures for 11 pylons including micropiles and rock stabilization work
• CFF ImmobiliercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Property developer for Pont-Rouge residential complex B1-B2-B4-B5 in Geneva, requiring deep excavation with diaphragm walls and mat foundation design
• Ville de Prilly et LausannecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Municipal partner for LEB railway tunnel project between Union-Prilly and Chauderon stations, contributing to urban railway modernization and RER transformation
• tl (Transports lausannois)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Local transport authority collaborating on LEB railway modernization project including Union-Prilly underground tunnel section

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Amberg Engineering AG: Swiss specialist in underground construction, tunneling and geotechnical engineering. Overlaps with KFSA on tunnel and deep-excavation projects but operates at national/international scale.
• CSD Ingénieurs SA: Larger Swiss engineering group covering environment, geotechnics, water and infrastructure. Competes with KFSA on environmental and contaminated-site mandates but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Basler & Hofmann AG: Major Swiss engineering consultancy with geotechnical, environmental and tunneling practices. Overlaps with KFSA on complex urban infrastructure projects but at materially greater scale and geographic reach.
• Stucky SA: Swiss engineering consultancy with hydropower, infrastructure and geotechnical expertise. Comparable on large public works (dams, tunnels, rail) where KFSA occasionally serves as subconsultant.
• B+S AG: Swiss engineering firm with geotechnical, structural and environmental capabilities serving public and private clients. Larger generalist competitor that overlaps with KFSA on infrastructure and environmental mandates.

Direct peers

• Geotest AG: Swiss geotechnical, geological and environmental consultancy with comparable core services in soil investigation, foundation design and laboratory testing across multiple Swiss regions. Closest direct competitor to KFSA in scope and size.
• Rothpletz, Lienhard + Cie AG: Swiss engineering consultancy with strong geotechnical and structural capabilities serving infrastructure and building projects. Comparable regional peer with overlapping public-sector client base in Suisse romande and beyond.
• Dr. von Moos AG: Long-established Swiss geotechnical consultancy providing soil mechanics, foundation engineering and field/laboratory testing. Comparable heritage firm specializing in geotechnics with similar project types in Switzerland.
• Boess + Partner AG: Swiss geotechnical and environmental engineering office with in-house soil laboratory and field instrumentation, directly comparable to KFSA's integrated geotechnique + essais et mesures + environnement offering.
• Hager + Partner AG: Swiss geotechnical engineering firm offering foundation design, geotechnical reports and construction monitoring. Directly comparable mid-sized specialist competing for similar public-infrastructure and developer mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Karakas and Francais