Sustainability
Our idea of sustainability
Our approach to sustainability is constantly evolving. Investing in our Airolo facility is a strategic decision, as it allows us to build on what has worked over the years and improve areas where innovation is possible. Over the next five years, we will place greater emphasis on environmental aspects, in line with the needs of a world that demands ever-greater attention to sustainability.
Today, sustainability is a key issue not only for us, but also for our customers, who want to demonstrate that they have clear strategies in this area. As a B2B company, we are subject to rigorous scrutiny regarding the quality of our products, the health and safety of our employees, respect for human rights throughout the supply chain, and the reduction of our environmental impact. We view these changes positively and strive to anticipate the demands of our customers and regulatory requirements, as demonstrated by the publication of our sustainability report, which we chose to prepare voluntarily, ahead of the regulatory obligations already in effect for our customers.
Distribution of economic value
In addition to direct employment, our company has a significant impact at the fiscal level, providing the municipality of Airolo with stable revenues. In addition, we are the second largest consumer of electricity supplied by Airolo's municipal power company, indirectly contributing to its development and the creation of jobs related to municipal utilities. Collaboration with the municipal power company has also made it possible to develop a photovoltaic plant that will come into operation during the second half of 2024.
Also of note is our commitment to using local suppliers. In a context where local businesses in the valleys often face difficulties, our policy has favored local businesses such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, butchers, fruit vendors, agricultural cooperatives and companies specializing in routine maintenance.
Investments
Investments in Research and Development (R&D):
Tenconi has expanded its product range by diversifying its offerings, including tubular posts, mechanical crossbars, rescue clamps, machines for testing freight car brakes, and maintenance of ball valves for hydroelectric power plants.
This expansion was made possible by our expertise in welding and steel fabrication.
The company invests approximately 120,000 CHF annually in R&D and material optimization.
Innovation Strategy:
Management of mechanical couplings: development of couplings equipped with RFID chips to collect data useful for preventive maintenance.
Brake testing machine: a compact device for testing freight car brakes, ready for the market and large-scale production.
Strategic alliances: partnerships with companies and distributors (e.g., HI+PAG, Schwihag, Schubart, Idromeccanica, Metalogalva) to expand our technical and commercial expertise and strengthen our international presence.
Innovation processes:
Innovation also extends to production and administrative processes, with a team dedicated to efficiency and automation.
Replacing hot-forged parts with rolled parts, which offer similar performance at lower costs, enabling more efficient, high-volume production.
Infrastructure investments:
Two production sites: Airolo and Cadenazzo.
In 2008, the Cadenazzo facility was opened to meet new production needs, particularly for aluminum and specialized machining.
The temporary move to Gordola proved ineffective, leading to the decision to invest in a new facility connected to the national rail network.
Relationship with suppliers
Purchases: Tenconi primarily purchases raw materials (sheet steel, round bars, billets), semi-finished products (bent sheet metal, forged round bars), and mechanical machining and welding services, for a total annual amount of approximately CHF 8.4 million.
Source of materials: Almost all materials and semi-finished products are sourced from Europe to ensure high quality.
Inspections and audits: Tenconi visits suppliers on a monthly basis and regularly schedules audits to verify the quality of processes; over 90% of purchases come from suppliers certified to ISO 9001 and, in many cases, ISO 45001 as well.
Nonconformity Management: In the event of issues, strict controls are implemented to ensure that products meet the required standards.
Structured process:
The procurement department informs suppliers of their performance level.
Suppliers are evaluated by tracking nonconformities and the associated costs.
Supplier audits are recorded, and nonconformities are analyzed using KPIs.
The audits also cover organizational aspects, social responsibility, risks, the environment, and safety.
Objective: To ensure rigorous supplier management, promote continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with company standards.
Relationship with co-workers
Tenconi is characterized by its ongoing commitment to promoting the well-being and continuing education of its employees. Currently, our efforts are geared toward improving internal communication and the management of work time and pace. In order to be able to constantly guarantee innovation, quality and safety to our customers, another cornerstone of human resource management is the continuous updating of skills through the constant renewal of patents and specialized training.
Management and the Board of Directors fully understand their responsibilities in managing the company and valuing human resources and all stakeholders. Management is committed to maintaining high employee awareness of health and safety policies, continuous improvement, and the consequences of non-compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.
Employee Benefits
Tenconi has 90 employees: 71 in Airolo and 19 in Cadenazzo, with an average age of 45–50, a sign of high employee retention.
There are 4 apprentices and a few temporary workers.
In 2025, there were 13 departures (5 retirements, 1 voluntary separation, 3 terminations, and 4 resignations).
99% of employees are covered by a Swissmem collective bargaining agreement, which guarantees rights and protections specific to the metalworking sector.
The company fosters a positive and productive work environment through various employee welfare initiatives:
Suggestion System for Quality, Environmental, and Safety Improvements
Company cafeteria and affordable housing in Airolo
Fully equipped kitchen and meal subsidies in Cadenazzo
Performance-based production bonuses
Loyalty rewards for every 5 years of service
Holiday parties for retirees and employees' children
Quarterly get-togethers for updates and socializing
Early retirement option through the Tenconi Foundation
Attractive terms regarding salary, retirement benefits, and professional training
Health and Safety
Tenconi is strongly committed to ensuring the safety of its employees in the workplace. The company implements safety protocols and provides ongoing training to ensure that every employee works in a safe environment that complies with current regulations.
Employee safety is a top priority for Tenconi, which continuously invests in protective equipment and risk prevention, thereby ensuring a safe and secure work environment. Tenconi adheres to the sector-specific guidelines for occupational safety and health protection in the metal industry; the occupational safety representative attends training courses on a regular basis. In 2025, the total number of reported workplace injuries was 5.
Training
Tenconi aims to diversify its operations in the forging, mechanical engineering, and metal fabrication sectors by investing in ongoing employee training and strategic partnerships to expand its expertise.
Internal and external training is considered essential for maintaining competitiveness: many workers have obtained certifications for new tasks (e.g., welding, operating cranes and forklifts)
The company regularly renews its employees' certifications to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices
Courses are offered on safety, project management, human resources management, languages, and cybersecurity (with updates every six months)
Tenconi values innovation: employees can submit ideas for improvement, and the company has obtained several patents through research and development
Every year, we train apprentices and collaborate with SUPSI and USI on educational internships
In 2025, 50% of employees participated in training courses (average: 4 hours per employee)
The goal is to maintain high standards of quality and safety through ongoing training and innovation
Diversity and Inclusion
Tenconi actively promotes an inclusive work environment, valuing diversity and the well-being of its employees. The high average tenure of the workforce and the long length of service at the company attest to the strength of the working relationships. The company is investing in increasing the representation of young people and women, even while operating in a predominantly industrial sector. To promote work-life balance, it offers flexible hours and a calendar with strategically placed long weekends. Furthermore, in special circumstances, it grants parental leave and reduced working hours that go beyond what is required by law.
Community Projects
Tenconi has always stood out for its voluntary financial support to associations with sports, cultural and local government purposes particularly in the Leventina region. With major financial supports to date, Tenconi financially supports several associations such as:
ASIO ass. + Alta Leventina Philharmonic
Greina Trail Associations
Chamber Music Project Association – Bellinzona
Alta Leventina Philharmonic
Giorgia Barelli - best Ticino sportswoman 2022, youth category
HC Blenio
Leventina Soccer
OTAF - Seeds of Goodness – Sorengo Foundation
Airolo Parish
Airolo ski club
HCAP Women's Hockey Team (Ambrì-Piotta)
Aquaculture and Fisheries Society, The Leventinese
Riviera Tennis Club
Ti-Ski – Ski Federation
Three Valleys Rescue
Valbianca SA supports sports and recreational activities in the municipality of Airolo
Energy and Civil Engineering Sector
Tenconi views the energy transition as a strategic priority and is investing to significantly reduce its use of fossil fuels by 2030. The company is introducing more efficient furnaces, gradually replacing diesel-powered ones with electric solutions powered by renewable energy. A major contribution to decarbonization comes from the solar power systems installed in Airolo and Cadenazzo, which cover a significant portion of the company’s energy needs.
Plans also include measures to improve building energy efficiency, recover heat, optimize production processes, and connect to the municipal district heating system. Through these initiatives, Tenconi aims to improve energy efficiency and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.
Water resources
Water consumption at Tenconi is relatively low and is primarily used for industrial ovens. Apart from this specific application, water use is objectively minimal.
In the areas dedicated to machining, specific systems are in place to capture and manage the oily liquids used. These liquids are collected in containment tanks, which are regularly cleaned and safely disposed of by specialized companies. This approach to the proper management of oily waste helps maintain high environmental standards.
GHG emissions
In 2025, Tenconi’s CO₂ emissions remained largely stable despite an increase in production, confirming the effectiveness of the initial decarbonization measures implemented. In collaboration with ACT, the company has developed a plan that calls for improving the efficiency of production processes and gradually replacing the most polluting energy sources.
Key measures include the introduction of more efficient electric furnaces, the recovery of process heat, and the phased-out use of diesel-fired systems. Tenconi is also evaluating solutions based on solar power, heat pumps, and district heating. The company also considers emissions across the entire product lifecycle, noting that Scope 3 emissions account for approximately 75% of total emissions.
Waste management
Tenconi implements waste sorting across all departments. In accordance with ISO standards, the company separates all production-related waste within the factory. Every area of the production site is equipped with bins for paper, cardboard, general waste, plastic, and PET. For waste materials from the warehouse and production, industrial containers are used to separate wood, ferrous metals, plastics, and bulky waste. Every month, this waste is collected by partners and taken to recycling centers or directly to the incinerator.
For ferrous materials—ranging from metal shavings to scrap iron—and aluminum, we partner with recycling companies to recover and resell these materials. The oil used in milling machines and lathes is collected twice a year by suppliers for recycling. In addition, the company cafeteria provides food scraps to some farmers in Airolo to feed their animals. It is important to note that in 2024, following a flood that affected three production departments and the warehouses, Tenconi had to dispose of a significant amount of contaminated material and damaged equipment, which considerably increased the volume of waste produced in 2024.
Biodiversity
Tenconi operates two production facilities located in Airolo and Cadenazzo, situated in different geographical areas but managed with a strong focus on environmental considerations. The main potential impacts of its production activities relate to air emissions, industrial discharges, and waste management. The company regularly monitors emissions and discharges through technical inspections and periodic audits, in compliance with applicable regulations.
Although they are not located in protected natural areas, the sites implement numerous preventive measures to limit environmental risks, including maintenance of filtration systems, controlled management of polluting liquids, and containment systems for hazardous substances.
Great attention is also paid to training staff on the proper handling of chemicals and the prevention of environmental and health risks.
Climate risks
Tenconi SA views climate change as a risk factor, particularly for the operational continuity of its facilities.
The severe flooding that struck the Airolo site in 2024, causing a temporary halt in production, highlighted the need to strengthen prevention and resilience measures. The company has therefore updated its climate risk assessments, emergency plans, business recovery procedures, and measures to protect its infrastructure and corporate data.
At the same time, it will continue to monitor developments in environmental risks and incorporate them into its strategic planning. From a market perspective, Tenconi does not anticipate any significant negative impact on demand, as it operates primarily in the railway sector, which is considered strategic for the sustainable mobility of the future.
Download CSR Reports
IT
- 2023 Local CSR Report
- 2024 Local CSR Report
- 2025 Local CSR Report