Dr. Canet Acikgoz is a Swiss woman with Turkish roots who has been working at Oerlikon Balzers for thirteen years. On February 1, 2025, she took over the position of Head of Product Line Service Components. She previously worked in the field of medical technology and gained valuable experience, which she now brings to her new role. Dr. Acikgoz lives in Zurich and has made a conscious decision to keep her residence there and commute from Zurich to Balzers. Her professional activities take her regularly on trips all over the world.

About her career and her work at Oerlikon:

"I started my career at Oerlikon Balzers in the medical sector. I had previously studied chemistry in Turkey and completed my doctorate in Holland, where I also met my husband. I then worked for two years at ETH Zurich in the field of infection control before joining Oerlikon in the R&D department. My passion for the medical-technical field, combined with my background in chemistry and biology, found an ideal field of application here.

The quality requirements for medical instruments are increasing from year to year. Functional surfaces with antimicrobial and wear-resistant coatings are now an indispensable component of modern medical technology.

In addition to uncompromising quality, the medical industry also demands compliance with biocompatibility regulations. The innovative BALIMED PVD coatings from Oerlikon Balzers have been specially developed for medical applications.

After a few years, I switched to Sales and Marketing. In this role, I regularly traveled to countries such as Korea, Japan and India to support the international sales team during customer visits - especially with my technical expertise in the medical sector. We explained our innovative coatings and addressed key questions: How can the incidence of nosocomial infections be reduced? How can MRSA infections be combated more successfully, especially in orthopaedic devices and medical technology instruments? Oerlikon Balzers offers successful solutions to these and other challenges with its BALIMED medical technology coatings. I really enjoyed this job - I traveled a lot until the start of the pandemic.

Commuting and work-life balance:

I cope with the relatively long commute with a positive attitude. I describe my train journeys as a valuable time, during which I was not only able to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but also make friends and relax from my daily work routine. The view of Lake Zurich and Lake Walen in particular always inspired me a lot. The friendships I made on the train enriched my daily journey from Zurich to Balzers. The week often ended with a small aperitif - with a cozy Friday evening beer on the train.

Life in Zurich and Liechtenstein

Life in Zurich and the decision to commute to Liechtenstein harmonize perfectly with my way of life. Zurich is a well-organized and safe city - in stark contrast to Ankara, a metropolis of millions, where I studied. My daughter is now in kindergarten. I love Zurich, I have my friends there and we feel very comfortable as a family. In Liechtenstein, I appreciate the friendly people and the proximity to nature. For me, Liechtenstein is a small island in the mountains - quiet, sunny and inspiring.

Professional passion and medical technology

I have always been enthusiastic about the medical field, and I am particularly fascinated by the chemical and biological aspects. My academic training began with a degree in chemistry in Turkey, followed by a PhD in Holland and a further deepening of my passion at ETH Zurich. In my opinion, you can really make a difference in the field of medical technology, especially in the development of coatings for medical devices - an area in which Oerlikon makes a significant contribution. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to work in a highly professional team and to learn continuously. In my new role as Head of Product Line Service Components, I look forward to tackling growing challenges and developing innovative solutions in the field of service components.

Today I commute by car, as I travel a lot again in my current role. I often spend three to four days a week at the company in Balzers and then visit customers all over the world.

Concluding thoughts

Although commuting is a challenge, I am convinced that with the right attitude and a positive mindset, this time can not only be mastered, but even enriched. My family, work, travel, friendships and nature give me the balance I need to be happy and fulfilled both professionally and privately."