AHB - Facts und Figures

Statement

René Graf, Head of R&D Division

Market-ready products straight from the research laboratory

"Market-oriented research for the industry. Our mission is to develop new products, technologies and processes for the real world. That is why our experts maintain close contacts with business and industry.

Our three competence centres – Planning, Building and Manufacturing Processes – Wood Technology and Composite Construction – Natural Phenomena and Geotechnics – all work closely together in a multidisciplinary environment.

Alongside our applied R&D work, we also offer contract services such as product testing, expertise and expert consultancy. Our education and training activities have a strong practical bias, too. Knowledge and technology transfer means just that – getting our expertise and knowledge out into the real world of industry.

We help SME and public bodies to plan, coordinate and implement national and international projects."

Facts and Figures

History

1986: Foundation of R&D division

1991: Institution of project management

1994: 1. "Gebohrtes Holz – Drilled wood" international project

1998: Systematic integration of R&D activities into teaching practice and curricula

2003: Reorganisation of the R&D division following the merger of HTA-Bi, HTA-Bu, HTA-Be and SISH-Holz into the Bern University of Applied Sciences Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering BUAS-AWCE.

2006: The Suisse Accreditation Service (SAS) renews the accreditation for our test laboratories in Biel. In addition to that, our Geotechnical Laboratory in Burgdorf is certificated to ISO/IEC 17025 standard and becomes an accredited laboratory. Tests performed in our laboratories are internationally recognised.

Organisation

The R&D division has eight specific units:

Architectural Processes

Management and Building Processes

Production and Logistics

Materials and Wood Technology

Timber and Composite Construction

Facades, Finishing and Furniture

Natural Phenomena and Geotechnics

Technical Unit for Test Laboratory

Management

Head of R&D division                            René Graf

Deputy                                                      Marc-André Gonin

Facts and Figures about the R&D Divsion

No. employees                                                                 80

No. female employees                                                   21

No. foreign employees                                                  24

Languages: German, French, English, Italian

No. of projects by funding source:
- Bern University of Applied Sciences BUAS             21
- COST - European Cooperation in the Field
   of Scientific and Technical Research                       13
- Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU -
Swiss Federal Environment Ministry                         4
- Förderagentur für Innovation des Bundes KTI -
Swiss Federal Agency for the Promotion
of Innovation                                                                   4
- Holz21, BAFU Project                                                   2
- European Union EU                                                     2
- Schweiz. Nationalfonds SNF -
Swiss National Fund for Research                            1
- Others 3

No. of services by region:
- Bern canton                                                                    89
- Switzerland excluding Bern                                         137
- Overseas                                                                        21

No. of projects with industry partners, by region
- Canton of Bern                                                               2
- Switzerland without Bern                                             7
- Overseas                                                                        2



Products / Services

Applied research and development projects

Services: Testing, Design and Planning, Expertise, Consultancy

Research and Development – Far-sighted Innovation

Statement

Facts and Figures