Google is growing. In 2010, the Internet company hired over 4,500 new employees worldwide. This figure is set to be exceeded in 2011, as Google announced in its official blog back in January. In the Emea region (Europe, Middle East, Africa), 1,000 new jobs will be created. Google explains what this development means for Switzerland in today's "Media Update@Google Switzerland". The exact number of jobs that will be created in Switzerland has not yet been determined, as the company writes in a press release. What is certain is that the Zurich site will grow significantly. Nelson Mattos, Vice President Emea Product & Engineering: "Zurich is the largest development location outside the USA. Switzerland plays a central role in research and product innovation at Google."
Google rents additional building
Google Switzerland started in 2004 with two employees on Zurich's Limmatquai. In March 2008, Google moved to the Hürlimann site. Over the past three years, its presence there has doubled from around 300 to over 700 employees today. To accommodate the current growth, Google recently added an additional wing to the existing building. As this is not enough, Google Switzerland will be renting another building at Brandschenkestrasse 100 from July 2011. By renting the Hürlimann site, Google is creating space for around 300 more employees.
Development engine Zurich
In addition to reasons such as its location in the heart of Europe, the high standard of living and the excellent infrastructure, specific technical advantages such as the high level of education and the proximity to ETH Zurich and EPFL also speak in favor of Zurich and Switzerland as a location. IT specialists at Google Switzerland develop locally anchored solutions for the whole world.
In addition to reasons such as its location in the heart of Europe, the high standard of living and the excellent infrastructure, Zurich and Switzerland also offer specific technical advantages such as the high level of education and the proximity to ETH Zurich and EPFL IT specialists, as the press release goes on to say. Some of the development activities in Zurich include
-Google Search and Google Ads: Work is being done on improving the search infrastructure, Google Shopping and the quality of text ads, among other things.
-Google Apps: The developers are working on functions such as Gmail and Google Calendar.
-geo services: Various elements of Google Maps are being developed at the Zurich site.
-YouTube: In Zurich, developers are working on the latest technologies to make the platform ever more attractive for users, content providers and advertisers.
Another indicator of the importance of the Zurich location was the appointment of Patrick Warnking as Country Manager in January, according to the press release. Warnking, who is appearing before the media for the first time in his new role at today's event, emphasized the growing connection between the Internet and the economy - especially in Switzerland. There is a significant difference between the presence of users on the web, who make purchasing decisions there, and the presence and advertising activity of Swiss companies on the internet. Switzerland is an Internet nation: almost 75 percent of the population uses the web daily or several times a week (Federal Statistical Office, 2010). "Users in Switzerland love the Internet. Companies are not yet exploiting this potential to the full," explains Warnking in his presentation.
You can find out more about this in the next print edition of Werbewoche.