Michel Manz with Onza winner of the Swiss Innovation Challenge

Federal Council honors for a bike industry professional: Johann Schneider-Ammann has named Michel Manz, the mastermind behind Onza, the first winner of the Swiss Innovation Challenge.

Apex Sports LLC came out on top against 24 competing finalists in the inaugural Swiss Innovation Challenge. Apex - managed by Michel Manz from Gelterkinden - develops, produces and distributes Onza tires.

The company recently launched a new rubber compound called Visco on the market, which is supposed to guarantee a slower rebound, better self-damping and controlled break-out of the side lugs, including low rolling resistance. Manz was honored for this innovation on 2 September in Basel's St. Jakobs Halle in front of 2,500 guests and the Basel-based company received a prize of 20,000 Swiss francs, as reported by the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung newspaper.The Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW and the Basel Area Chamber of Commerce are responsible for the Swiss Innovation Challenge award. The aim is to promote and recognize particularly innovative companies.www.onzatires.com
http://innovation.swiss-challenge.org