Within the framework of the module „Project Work“ in the 5th semester of the studies in International Management, the project „Sustainability in the Swiss Plumbing Industry” was completed. The starting position was that the client wanted to get the customers’ opinions about the use of more sustainable products. The aim of the project was to find out what the needs and expectations of the plumbers are with regards to sustainability. It shows how important sustainability is to Swiss craftsmen currently and in the future, as well as their willingness to pay.

A quantitative online survey was conducted to answer the research question. The survey consisted of a combination of single-choice, multiple-choice, open-ended, and rating scale questions that aimed to gather information on the plumbers’ attitudes towards sustainability, as well as their needs and expectations with regards to sustainable products. To achieve a high response rate the survey was spread through two different channels: by sending emails to plumbers working in Switzerland and by publishing an article in the online magazine gebäudetechnik.ch.

The survey revealed that over 50% of the participants agree that sustainability is an important factor when making purchasing decisions. When evaluating the factors that influence these decisions, it was evident that participants have a variety of requirements beyond just a sustainable product. Above all, they value quality, performance, and longevity as well as recyclable materials. Despite this, many respondents choose the sustainable option when presented with two products, but they would not be willing to pay more than a surplus of 5% on average. These results suggest that while there is a demand for sustainable products in the Swiss plumbing industry, it is important to also consider factors such as quality and cost when developing these greener alternatives. Overall, this survey highlights the importance of sustainability in the plumbing industry and the need for the client to take this into consideration when developing prototypes and marketing its products in the future. By extending their current product portfolio with sustainable alternatives, the client can increase its market appeal and therefore become one of the pioneers in the industry for sustainable products.