Switzerland - Chicago Business Facts

100+ Swiss companies with more than 250 locations throughout greater Chicago

More than 40 Chicago-area companies in Switzerland including Kraft, McDonald’s, UL International, Motorola

2010 Imports to the Chicago Customs District

  • Total: US $2.5 billion

Top Import Categories:

  • Pharmaceutical Products
  • Industrial Machinery, Including Computers
  • Optic, Photo, Medical, Surgical Instruments

2010 Exports from the Chicago Customs District

  • Total: US $711 million

Top Export Categories:

  • Pharmaceutical Products
  • Optic, Photo, Medical, Surgical Instruments
  • Industrial Machinery, Including Computers

Swiss business activity, Chicago

  • Barry Callebaut USA HQ, Chicago, 2007 and first US Chocolate Academy, 2008
  • Nestle, expansion, Itasca, 2002
  • UBS Tower, Loop, 2002
  • Swiss Consulate General; Swiss Business Hub USA; Swiss-American Business Council
  • Les Roches/Kendall College partnership, 2004
  • Lucerne, Switzerland Sister City relationship, 10th anniversary 2008
  • 18,000 Swiss-Americans in Chicago, 2000 Census; Swiss immigrants established Chicago’s first brewery in 1833.
  • Mayor Daley visited Lucerne for the Chicago Symphony’s commemorative performance there in 2008, and addressed the American Chamber of Commerce while passing through Zurich