The General Assembly of the Swiss Cosmetics and Detergents Association (SKW) has unanimously elected Beat Müller as its new president. A doctor of chemistry from ETH Zurich, he has been working as CTO at the Swiss dermocosmetics manufacturer Louis Widmer SA since 2020, where his responsibilities include research and development, production, and quality and regulatory matters. With his election, an industry expert takes the helm of the association: Müller, who also holds an Executive MBA from the University of Applied Sciences, has been involved with the SKW for 25 years, including as a technical advisor and board member.

Growing demands

After around 14 years, Beat Müller succeeds the previous president, Thomas Früh of the Baselland Chamber of Commerce. Müller combines scientific expertise with entrepreneurial leadership skills and comprehensive industry knowledge, the association explained. His election comes at a time of challenging economic conditions and a phase of growing regulatory requirements, as well as rising expectations regarding sustainability and product safety. The SKW represents 100 member companies.

Expanding influence

At its general meeting in Zurich, the SKW also set out its new strategy for the period up to 2029: under this strategy, the association aims to further strengthen its role as a centre for information, expertise and dialogue, and to expand its political and regulatory influence. In doing so, the SKW also intends to further develop its cooperation with European and national associations, partner organisations and stakeholders. According to its own figures, around 90 per cent of companies in the sector are members of the SKW. The association was founded in 1899 as the ‘Association of Soap Boilers’ and has united the detergent and cosmetics industries since 2001.

Source: SKW