When Innovation Saves Lives

Londero GmbH designs and builds custom vehicles for fire departments, emergency medical services, and police forces. Founder Raphael Londero knows the demands of field operations firsthand. But with growing expectations around digitalization and efficiency, even an experienced company can hit its limits. Through the Ahead innovation support program (formerly KMU and Innovation), Londero discovered new solutions—and a clearer innovation strategy.

From Rescue Operations to Product Development

Raphael Londero brings 25 years of experience in emergency services. That practical knowledge shapes his company’s offering: custom conversions and specialized solutions for blue-light organizations—functional, rugged, and thought through to the last detail. But over time, new challenges emerged:
How can processes be digitalized?
How can expert knowledge be scaled?
And how can one-off projects be turned into a sustainable business model?

“We knew we had to go in a new direction—but didn’t know where to start. That’s where Ahead helped us tremendously.”
Raphael Londero, CEO, Londero GmbH

 

A Fast-Changing Market Demands Innovation

Londero GmbH faced key questions: how to integrate e-mobility meaningfully into its offering and how to structure and advance internal innovation processes. At an SME event, Raphael Londero connected with an Ahead innovation expert. That first meeting, joined by additional team members from Ahead, marked the beginning of a new phase.

External Input, Internal Impact

Working with the experienced Ahead experts, Londero was able to analyze his business model, identify growth opportunities, and develop a strategy for systematizing customer solutions. The external perspective and structured approach proved particularly valuable.

“We’re experts when it comes to vehicles—but innovation is something you have to learn. The exchange helped us sharpen our focus.”
Raphael Londero

Successfully Securing Funding

One major success: through the Ahead process, Londero GmbH secured an Innosuisse Innovation Cheque and later submitted a full Innosuisse application. This brought in CHF 20,000 in funding to advance the development of a fully electric drivetrain system with a full-load range of over 450 km—a true game-changer for modern emergency vehicles.

“Working with the innovation expert—who supported us with sensitivity, structure, and foresight—we were able to refine and concretize our ideas. That led to a new understanding of our innovation potential and the formation of strategic partnerships. We also achieved our first milestones.”
Raphael Londero

Innovation Advances Faster Through Partnership

Londero’s experience with the Ahead program was overwhelmingly positive—especially because it was hands-on and relevant to day-to-day business.

“We’re grateful we could benefit from Ahead’s innovation support, and we recommend it to other SMEs: it brings focus, encourages bold changes, and opens doors. This support was a true driver of our development and sparked a new innovation culture—which is priceless.”
Raphael Londero

About Raphael Londero

Raphael Londero is the CEO of Londero GmbH, based in Volketswil, Switzerland. His company specializes in building and modifying emergency vehicles for rescue services, fire departments, and police forces. With extensive experience in emergency services and strong technical expertise, he leads a team focused on delivering tailor-made vehicle solutions. Under his leadership, Londero GmbH has become a recognized innovator in the field, known for quality and customer-driven design.

 

Londero GmbH – Londero.ch | Kundenorientierte Fahrzeugkonzepte