Rackspace

Rackspace is one of the world's leading managed cloud providers and has been supporting its customers in dealing with cloud computing since its foundation in 1998. Rackspace experts offer specialized expertise, easy-to-use tools and solutions, and Fanatical Support® for leading cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Google Cloud and OpenStack. The company has customers in 120 countries, including two thirds of all FORTUNE 100. What many people don't know is that the US company Rackspace has also been relying on the attractiveness of the Zurich location for over 5 years.

In 2012, Rackspace opened its first Zurich site. In 2014, the company even went one step further with its commitment to Zurich and declared the branch office on Pfingstweidstrasse to be the international headquarters. The entire international business outside the USA is managed from this location, including various management functions. The employees are mainly active in the areas of marketing, sales, product management and finance.

Zurich is very attractive for technology companies

The location in Switzerland is characterized by its secure economic situation, a strong and constant monetary policy and well-functioning infrastructures and authorities," says Reinhard Waldinger, Managing Director, Rackspace International GmbH. Switzerland as a politically stable nation also offers a good basis for innovation, research and education. This is particularly important for a technology group such as Rackspace that constantly needs new, qualified specialists to remain innovative and competitive. In the Greater Zurich Area there are various universities that educate IT specialists. For example, ETH Zurich, HTW in Chur, HSR in Rapperswil, ZHAW in Winterthur and FHNW in northwestern Switzerland. "All of these educational institutions make the location very attractive for IT companies such as Rackspace, as they help to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers. In addition to the highly qualified workforce and specialists with international experience in Zurich, Rackspace also appreciates the fact that many internationally active companies have their headquarters here," says Waldinger. This creates an exciting market environment with a global flair and orientation.

The company has set itself the goal of creating additional jobs at its Zurich location, investing in the community and contributing to Zurich as a center of competence. The fact that the number of employees has risen from three (in 2012) to more than 25 employees today reflects that this objective has been achieved well since the opening of the branch.

Satisfied employees and customers

These employees feel that the location in Zurich West is also extremely attractive. Around Zurich, the "Rackers" - as the Rackspace employees call themselves - benefited from good training and further education opportunities, a wide range of cultural and leisure activities and quickly accessible, versatile natural sites, Waldinger explains. In addition, other cities and countries are also easily accessible from Zurich.

The numerous prizes won demonstrate the fact that the employees of Rackspace are very satisfied with the Zurich location. For example, in 2015, 2016 and 2017, Rackspace received the "Best Employer in Switzerland" for small companies award from Great Place to Work®. In addition, Rackspace International GmbH was voted number one in the category "Companies with less than 50 employees" in the "Best Workplaces Europe" in 2017 ranking.