What SWKI / DIE PLANER. does

SWKI (Schweizerischer Verein für Gebäudetechnik, Energie und Umwelt), also operating under the brand DIE PLANER., is a Swiss non-profit professional association (Verein) founded in 1962 and headquartered in Urtenen-Schönbühl, Bern. The association serves building technology specialists — planners, installers, manufacturers, and operators — through a curated professional network, gated by tertiary education plus at least 10 years of industry experience for full members. SWKI's core offering is approximately 40 proprietary technical guidelines (SWKI-Richtlinien) covering heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning, building automation, electrical and communication technology, and sanitary installations, published in German, French, and Italian and distributed via the Swiss Standards Association (SNV) webshop. The association supplements this content library with annual events (the SWKI-Forum, the joint Swiss Building Technology and Planner Day with ProKlima, the Hygienetagung, and six regional Stamm gatherings), continuing education courses, and an active guideline development pipeline with a target of two new or revised publications per year.

The business model is membership- and content-driven rather than equity-financed. SWKI generates revenue from individual membership fees, Gönner (supporter) corporate memberships starting at CHF 500 per year with multi-year discounts, sales of technical guidelines through SNV-Connect, paid continuing education courses (e.g., CHF 290 for members vs. CHF 350 for non-members on the AI in building automation course), and event registrations. Governance is by an elected volunteer board (Vorstand) chaired by President Reto Vital, with technical leads covering each building technology trade. The organization is supported by a deep partnership ecosystem including SIA, VDI, REHVA, ASHRAE, Hochschule Luzern, Berner Fachhochschule, HES-SO, ZHAW, and trade associations such as Suissetec, SVK, and SVLW, alongside roughly 31 named Gönner enterprises across the Swiss building technology supply chain.

SWKI has no disclosed AI/ML products or proprietary models, no venture funding, and a stable 8-employee headcount; its growth signals are concentrated in continuous guideline refresh, expansion of continuing education into AI and cybersecurity topics, brand modernization (2025 website and corporate design relaunch), and the steady cadence of major guideline revisions in 2024-2026 (VA107-01, VA101-01, RE600-01, VA104-01, RE200-02).

Name

SWKI / DIE PLANER.

Legal name

SWKI

Website

https://swki.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SWKI / DIE PLANER. is a Swiss non-profit professional association that develops approximately 40 technical guidelines and runs industry events, continuing education, and regional networking for building technology specialists across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Urtenen-Schönbühl

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide access to the network, guidelines, courses, seminars, events, and information at preferential rates. Gönner (supporter) membership starts at CHF 500 per year with discounts for multi-year commitments.
2. Guideline Sales: Sale of SWKI guidelines and documents through the Swiss Standards Association (SNV) webshop. Guidelines cover all building technology trades and are continuously developed and renewed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SWKI is a Swiss professional association that develops and publishes approximately 40 technical guidelines (SWKI-Richtlinien) covering all trades in building technology including heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, electrical systems, and sanitary technology. The association also organizes professional events (SWKI-Forum, SGPT, Hygienetagung, regional Stamm gatherings), delivers continuing education and hygiene training courses, and maintains a network of building technology specialists in Switzerland with over 25 partnerships with standardization bodies, educational institutions, and professional associations.

Product overview

SWKI / DIE PLANER. is a professional association and network for building technology, energy, and environment in Switzerland, not a product company. Its core offerings consist of approximately 40 technical guidelines (SWKI-Richtlinien) covering all trades in building technology including heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, electrical systems, and sanitary installations. The guidelines are available for purchase through the SNV-Connect online shop in German, French, and Italian. The association also organizes professional events including the annual SWKI-Forum, the Swiss Building Technology and Planner Day (SGPT) with ProKlima, hygiene training courses, and regional Stamm gatherings. Continuing education courses cover cybersecurity, energy management, drinking water hygiene, and AI in building automation. Guidelines are developed through working groups with public consultation (Vernehmlassung) processes and updated regularly to reflect current technology standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SWKI-Forum: The central meeting point for all professionals in Swiss building technology, featuring presentations, guideline updates, and networking opportunities
• Schweizerischer Gebäudetechnik- und Planertag (SGPT)
• Schweizerische Hygienetagung

Products and services

• SWKI-Richtlinien (Technical Guidelines) Technical guidelines for building technology covering heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, electrical systems, and sanitary technology. The approximately 40 guidelines represent the current state of technology across all trades and project phases.
• SWKI VA101-01 (Luftfiltersysteme / Air Filter Systems) Technical guideline for room air technology air filter systems, covering classification, test methods, and application. Replaces the 2007 version.
• SWKI VA104-01 (Luftqualität / Air Quality) Room air technology guideline covering air quality, including hygiene requirements for air conditioning systems and equipment.
• SWKI RE200-02 (Rückkühlung / Evaporative Cooling) Cooling guideline covering ensuring hygienic operation of evaporative cooling systems, helping planners identify and minimize Legionella risks.
• SWKI RE600-01 (Room Cooling Surfaces) Guideline covering room cooling surfaces including planning, construction, and operation.
• SWKI VA107-01 (Bidding for Air Systems) Guideline for bidding processes in building technology for air technical systems, providing standardized condition templates.
• SWKI BT101-01 (Building Automation Services) Guideline for services of specialized engineers for building automation.
• SWKI 98-1 (Measurement Concept for Energy and Media) Guideline providing measurement concepts for energy and media in building technology.
• SWKI-Forum Annual professional forum for building technology featuring technical presentations, guideline updates, and networking opportunities for planners, installers, manufacturers, and operators.
• Schweizer Gebäudetechnik- und Planertag (SGPT) Annual specialist conference jointly organized with ProKlima for experts in building technology, architecture, planning, and installation, featuring presentations on current challenges, industry trends, and practical solutions.
• Schweizerische Hygienetagung (Swiss Hygiene Conference) Specialist event for experts in air and water hygiene, providing a platform for exchange on current developments in building technology hygiene.
• SWKI-Stamm (Regional Meetings) Informal regional gatherings for building technology professionals across Basel, Bern, Central Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland, Ticino, and Zurich, open to all regardless of SWKI membership.
• Hygieneschulung (Hygiene Training) Hygiene training courses based on VDI 6022, qualifying personnel for hygiene inspections and indoor air quality assessment in building technology applications.
• Weiterbildung (Continuing Education) Continuing education offerings including cybersecurity in buildings, CrossTalk building technology, energy management, drinking water hygiene, and AI in building automation, with some courses eligible for VKF certification.
• Vernehmlassung (Public Consultation) Public consultation process for guideline development, allowing professionals to participate in working groups and provide feedback on draft guidelines before final publication.
• SWKI Membership (Einzelmitglied / Individual Membership) Annual membership providing access to the network, guidelines, courses, seminars, events, and information at preferential rates for qualified building technology professionals.
• Gönner (Supporter) Membership Industry supporter membership for companies in the building technology sector starting at CHF 500 per year, with multi-year discounts available and visibility benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 40 SWKI guidelines published representing current state of technology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ASHRAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) for global standards collaboration in building technology.
• ATTS (Associazione tecnica termo-sanitaria)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Italian-speaking Swiss technical association for thermo-sanitary systems.
• BAUEN DIGITAL SCHWEIZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for digital construction initiatives in Switzerland, supporting BIM methodology and digital transformation in building technology.
• Berner Fachhochschule (BFH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bern University of Applied Sciences for education, research, and student engagement in building technology.
• Energie Schweiz (eCH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Swiss Energy Agency for energy policy alignment and sustainability initiatives.
• Fachhochschule Graubünden (FHGR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Applied Sciences of Graubünden for regional education collaboration.
• GebäudeKlima Schweiz (GKS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss Building Climate Association for indoor climate and air quality expertise.
• GNI (Gebäudetechnik-Normen-Institut)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with GNI for cybersecurity training and building technology standards.
• HES-SO (Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Western Switzerland University of Applied Sciences for French-speaking region education and research.
• Hochschule Luzern (HSLU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship partnership with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences for building technology education, research, and annual SWKI-Forum hosting.
• HSR (Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences) for engineering education and research.
• KGTV (Konferenz der Gebäudetechnik-Verantwortlichen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Conference of Building Technology Managers for knowledge exchange and professional standards.
• MeGA (Meisterhaft Gebäudetechnik)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MeGA for building technology excellence initiatives.
• ProKlimaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship partnership with ProKlima for joint organization of the annual Swiss Building Technology and Planner Day (SGPT).
• REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partnership for HVAC knowledge exchange and harmonization of technical standards.
• SHKT (Schweizerische Haustechnikkommission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss Building Services Commission for technical standards development.
• SIA (Schweizerischer Ingenieur- und Architektenverein)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial professional association affiliation with SIA, Switzerland's leading engineering and architecture association, for guideline publication and professional standards.
• SuisseteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss building technology trades association for industry representation and education.
• SVK (Schweizerischer Verband für Kältetechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss Refrigeration Technology Association for cooling technology guidelines and standards.
• SVLW (Schweizerischer Verein für Lüftungs- und Klimatechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss Ventilation and Air Conditioning Association for climate control expertise.
• SwissCCS (Swiss Cleanroom Clothing System)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SwissCCS for cleanroom and hygiene standards in building technology.
• Swissgee (Swiss Gebäude-Elektroengineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss building electrical engineering association, including joint development of CrossTalk building technology courses and VKF-recognized training.
• VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramework contract partnership with VDI, Germany's leading engineering association, for international technical exchange and guideline harmonization.
• Wärmepumpen-System-Modul (WPSM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Heat Pump System Module for renewable energy and heat pump technology standards.
• ZHAW (Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Zurich University of Applied Sciences for engineering education and applied research.
• Phase5coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial publication organ of SWKI for industry communications and guideline dissemination.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SIA: Schweizerischer Ingenieur- und Architektenverein — Switzerland's leading engineering and architecture association. SIA and SWKI share official affiliation and co-publish guidelines, operating in overlapping Swiss standards territory with similar member-driven governance.
• SVK: Schweizerischer Verband für Kältetechnik (Swiss Refrigeration Technology Association). SVK is a Swiss peer focused on refrigeration standards and cooling-technology guidelines, directly comparable in niche and a SWKI partner for cooling-technology work.
• ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers — the closest US equivalent to SWKI. ASHRAE develops HVAC standards, runs major conferences, and publishes reference works; SWKI explicitly partners with ASHRAE for international standards collaboration in building technology.
• SVLW: Schweizerischer Verein für Lüftungs- und Klimatechnik (Swiss Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Association). SVLW is a Swiss trade peer for ventilation and AC standards, overlapping SWKI's HVAC scope and partnering with SWKI on climate-control expertise.
• CIBSE: Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers — the UK professional body for building-services engineers. CIBSE publishes technical guidance, runs events, and credentials professionals; it is the closest UK analog to SWKI in scope and operating model.
• VDI: Verein Deutscher Ingenieure — Germany's leading engineering association and VDI-Richtlinien publisher. SWKI has a framework contract partnership with VDI for technical exchange and guideline harmonization, making VDI a near-1:1 peer in scope and mission.
• REHVA: Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations — the European umbrella for national HVAC bodies. REHVA harmonizes standards across member countries and is a direct SWKI partner for knowledge exchange and guidelines.
• AICARR: Associazione Italiana Condizionamento dell'Aria, Riscaldamento e Refrigerazione — Italy's HVAC association. AICARR publishes guidance and runs events for Italian building-services professionals, serving as the Italian peer to SWKI in mission and operating model.
• Suissetec: Swiss building-technology trades association covering HVAC installers. Suissetec shares SWKI's Swiss focus and member-firm base and is a SWKI partner for industry representation and education — directly comparable mission and constituency.

Regional players

• DIN: Deutsches Institut für Normung — Germany's national standards body, with technical committees covering building technology and HVAC. DIN develops and publishes German (DIN) standards parallel to Swiss SWKI guidelines, serving a different geography but operating in the same standards domain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SWKI-CH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swki
• Instagraminstagram.com/swki.ch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 SWKI / DIE PLANER.