A handshake between technology and solidarity: Equipped with 20 years of experience as a company director, 17 years ago Jean-Jacques Merlet felt the need to change direction. Inspired by a new vision, he turned to the Swiss disability insurance scheme with a bold proposition: To create a business that could not only be economically viable, but also play an important social role. "Norkom was discovered almost by chance, but what caught my attention was its deep social commitment," he explains with a thoughtful tone. "This realisation was a decisive turning point for me, and it led me to a radically different type of entrepreneurship." With his enthusiasm shining through, he continues: "In collaboration with my partner Alfonso Osuna, we decided to embark on this adventure. It was a unique opportunity to combine my business skills with a far-reaching social cause." 

A success rate of more than 80%

Norkom has distinguished itself as the only private company to engage in such a mission. Since its takeover, it has welcomed more than a thousand people, recording a remarkable success rate of over 80%. This figure reflects the number of employees who have found a job at the end of their training in the Franches-Montagnes-based company.

The Franches-Montagnes-based company also benefits from an innovative vertical structure that has been optimised to train its staff in areas directly aligned with the needs of their customers, whether they be watchmaking brands or companies from the machine tool sector. This approach allows for a smooth integration of learners into the real professional environment, preparing them effectively for the specific requirements of these industries.

Dual-role partnership

At Brütsch/Rüegger Tools, interaction with customers is regularly highlighted, which is why the company chose to collaborate with the Franches-Montagnes-based company. "This choice is all the more appropriate because Norkom plays a dual role in our ecosystem: that of a customer and also a supplier for our range of products," says Loïc Chatelain, Head of business unit horlogy, Brütsch/Rüegger Tools.

The Urdorf-based company supplies Norkom with its products and also acts as a reseller of the familiar Press 2000.50.1.

"This synergy between our companies only strengthens our partnership, which has grown and intensified over time."

The impressive responsiveness of Brütsch/Rüegger Tools

The story of the collaboration between Loïc Chatelain and Jean-Jacques Merlet has unexpected roots: Loïc discovered the Montfaucon company during a company visit.

Norkom has been integrating various products from Brütsch/Rüegger Tools—such as screw grills and mechanical subcontracting parts—for just one year. When asked whether he was satisfied with his new partner, Jean-Jacques Merlet enthusiastically answers:

Precision fitting with the Press 2000.50.1 device

At the Norkom workshop, one innovation stands out: the pneumatic press for mounting crystals and watch backs. Positioned on a robust base, this machine features a sophisticated pneumatic piston, a control box and valve adjustment and can fit parts with rigour, finesse and precision. Its mission? To attach watch crystals to cases with unmatched precision and lightning speed. This device revolutionises the traditional process, replacing the conventional brackets with a system that perfectly adjusts the crystal to the watch case at high speed, with no scrap parts.