Swiss tractor manufacturer Rigitrac Traktorenbau AG has officially been named the winner of the KMU Product Award 2025, a national Swiss excellence prize recognizing outstanding innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises. The award honors the company’s development of tractors with direct electric drive systems, marking one of the most significant achievements in the company’s history.
The award was presented by the Swiss Excellence Stiftung, and the certificate highlights Rigitrac’s contribution to strengthening Switzerland’s industrial landscape through advanced electrical engineering and agricultural machinery development.
The winning model showcased during the award ceremony was the Rigitrac SKE 40 e-direct, the brand’s flagship fully electric tractor.
Electric Drive Innovation Recognized at National Level
The jury emphasized Rigitrac’s pioneering approach to fully electric agricultural machinery, specifically its direct electric drive architecture, which powers:
- front axle;
- rear axle;
- front PTO;
- rear PTO.
Each system operates via its own electric motor, coordinated through a central control platform.
This architecture eliminates the complexity of conventional drivetrains and dramatically improves efficiency, controllability and responsiveness.
The SKE 40 e-direct stands out in the European electric tractor segment, offering:
- battery capacity around 80 kWh;
- up to 5 hours of operation depending on load;
- zero local emissions;
- extremely low noise levels;
- precise control on slopes and sensitive terrain.
This makes it particularly well-suited for municipal, horticultural, alpine and specialty agriculture applications where compact electric power offers both environmental and operational advantages.
Rigitrac’s Niche: Specialty Tractors for Mountain Agriculture and Electrification
Rigitrac is not a mass-market manufacturer. Instead, it occupies a distinct niche in the global tractor market.
Focus on Mountain and Slope Agriculture
Rigitrac tractors are engineered to work on steep, uneven, and high-risk terrain.
Core engineering features include:
- articulated center pivot frames;
- low center of gravity;
- compact dimensions;
- excellent maneuverability;
- high tractive stability.
This makes the brand incredibly valuable in regions with alpine agriculture, vineyards, orchards, municipal slope maintenance and forestry margins.
Focus on Electric Mobility in Agriculture
The company is one of the earliest European developers of fully electric compact tractors with real-world commercial availability. Unlike experimental prototypes from larger corporations, Rigitrac’s electric tractors are already in serial production.
Family-Owned Precision Manufacturing
Rigitrac employs approximately 50 people, designing, assembling, programming and commissioning every machine at a single manufacturing location in Switzerland.
Rigitrac Tractor Lineup 2024–2025
SKH 60. Compact tractor for municipal and light agricultural work. Emphasis on maneuverability and safety in restricted areas.
SKH 75. A mid-range model designed for vineyards, mountain farms and municipal use. Award-winning history in the “Specialized Tractor” category.
SKH 150. High-power specialty tractor for demanding slope operations and heavy PTO work, while maintaining compact dimensions.
SKE 40 e-direct (Electric). Rigitrac’s award-winning electric tractor with direct electric drive. Designed for sustainability, energy efficiency and agriculture in sensitive environments. Winner of KMU Product Award 2025.
Rigitrac’s Manufacturing Location and Operations
Manufacturing site: Aahusweg 4, Küssnacht am Rigi, Switzerland.
This facility houses:
- tractor assembly;
- configuration and programming;
- testing and commissioning;
- service and technical support;
- parts distribution.
Production is fully centralized, allowing the company to maintain strict quality control and continuous engineering oversight.
Rigitrac Dealer Network
Despite being a compact manufacturer, Rigitrac maintains a growing European presence through dealership partners in:
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Slovenia
- Austria
- Italy
This network supports both the electric and diesel/hybrid specialty tractor lines.
Rigitrac Innovation Timeline. Key Milestones and Awards
Below is a chronological, condensed timeline based on the brand’s official award history:
2004–2005
- Tractor of the Year (multiple first places) for SKH 120.
- Swiss Chamber of Commerce Prize.
2008
- Multiple awards for SKH 90 in mountain tractor categories.
- Agrarfuchs Austria award.
2010
- Central Swiss Innovation Award.
- Several podium placements for SKH 120.
2011
- Silbermedaille Agritechnica for Rigitrac EWD 120.
2013
- Award of Merit for Innovation into Practice (European AgEng).
2015
- Agro Star Swiss distinction.
2016
- Tractor of the Year Finalist – Specialized Category (SKH 75).
2018
- Swiss Innovation Award for electric model SKE 50.
2019
- Energipreis der Energietal Küssnacht am Rigi.
2022
- Alp Innovations Trophy for Rigitrac.
2023
- Tractor of the Year – Specialized Category Finalist (SKH 60).
2025
- KMU Product Award 2025 – Winner (Electric Tractor Technology).
This timeline demonstrates the company’s consistent engineering-focused evolution, especially in slope tractors and electrification.
Rigitrac’s KMU Product Award 2025 solidifies its status as one of Europe’s most innovative specialty tractor manufacturers. While remaining a family-owned company with around 50 employees, Rigitrac continues to compete — and win awards — against major global brands by focusing on engineering precision, electrification, and mountain agriculture.
