Aarberg, Switzerland (Rolex and covered wooden bridge)

I'm in the German-speaking part of central Switzerland. French is the language in southern Switzerland, German is the language in northern and central Switzerland with the eastern part of Switzerland being Italian-speaking. 

Cycling through Nidau's town center I pass Nidau castle.  

Dating back to the 13th century, Nidau castle is the administrative center for the area.

Used to be three of these round medieval towers guarding Nidau castle. 

Passing through Tauffelen (population 3,000) I come across a large complex of buildings smack in the middle of town. Hmmm, what does Laubscher do? 

There's another similar-size Laubscher building behind this green glass structure. This family-owned has 240 employees and has expanded its expertise.

Laubscher got its start back in 1846 manufacturing watch screws for the watch industry but has expanded into manufacturing precision turned parts for the medical technology industry. 

I've mentioned (many times) spending two summers visiting more than 130 watch and watch related companies. I learned only a very few watch manufacturers are vertical integrated. Parts are outsourced or contracted out. Switzerland is famous for precision tools and this is a prime example of that. On the company's website I count six family members working here.

As a side story. I know Zenith is a vertical integrated watch manufacturer. You would think Rolex, the Goliath in the industry would also be fully vertical integrated but I read they still outsource several watch parts.

Another side story. Have you noticed Rolex seems to be the official sponsor of just about everything? Jeez, tennis, golf, yachting, motor sports, equestrianism. Principal sponsor of the Royal Opera in London and Milan Opera in Milan, concert recitals, mountain expeditions and it goes on and on. How is this possible?

Hans Wilsdorf (1881-1960) founded Rolex. Wilsdorf had no kids and his wife died. In 1960 the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation was created and given 100% ownership of the company.  So, with no heirs, estimates of 90% of the immense profits from Rolex are plowed back into the company---with vast amounts being spent on marketing, advertising and sponsorships.  Headquartered in Geneva (where Rolex is located) the secretive foundation is limited to doing things in the Geneva area. The foundation was recently in the news for buying another hotel (they've now bought three 2 or 3 star hotels) to house homeless in the area. The foundation also gave millions for a new bridge in Geneva. 

 

Cycling through little farming villages I see Autumn goodies are available.

Lots of color.

Jeez, I go down the road a bit and see more roadside stands. It's the honor system where you put money in a lock box.

I'm waiting for the light to change so I can cycle over the covered wooden bridge into Aarberg's town center.

The wooden covered bridge dates back to 1568.

This is part of Aarberg's huge town square. That's Aarberg castle on the right. It dates back to the 13th century and is now Aarberg's (population 3,900) town hall. 

Part of Aarberg's town square. 

Still part of Aarberg's town square. 

Well I gotta check out this conditorei (pastry shop). 

It's big and the seating area in the rear is packed.  

Closer look at some of the goodies.

If you can read the names--most of the mousse sweets contain alcohol. The cappuccino mousse cup on the right contains cognac. I make quick work of the liqurer mousse cup in the rear behind the kiwi/banana cups.

View of the covered wooden bridge from the Aare river.

On the edge of Aarberg I come across this massive factory complex. What is it?

This place makes sugar. It's owned by Schweizer Zucker AG and has been here since 1912. What's in the rail cars? Sugar beets. The fall season is harvest time and over 1.5 million tons of sugar beets will be processed here. The place runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The facility is gigantic and takes 15 minutes to cycle around the perimeter of the property. That giant pile of brown things are sugar beets. 

Leaving Aarberg I pass a roundabout. It took me a minute to figure out what the heck that thing is in the middle: a sugar beet.