EBERHARD & Yanmar – A Partnership Where the Difference Truly Counts

How Patrick Eberhard is leading Switzerland’s construction market leader into the future.  www.yanmar.com For more than 70 years, Eberhard Bau AG has helped shape Switzerland’s construction and environmental technology sectors through innovation, responsibility, and long-term thinking. Today, that legacy is being carried forward by Patrick Eberhard, Managing Director of the family-owned business, who is steering the company toward the future while remaining deeply rooted in its history. At Eberhard, progress is never pursued at the expense of values. Patrick Eberhard’s leadership reflects a careful balance: embracing modern technologies while honoring the craftsmanship, experience, and generational responsibility that define the company. This philosophy is clearly reflected in Eberhard’s long-standing partnership with Yanmar Compact Equipment—a collaboration built on shared standards of reliability, innovation, and quality. For decades, Eberhard has deliberately relied on Yanmar Compact Equipment: machines that are flexible, robust, and future-ready. Together, the two companies continue to advance solutions that make construction sites safer, more efficient, and better prepared for the challenges ahead. EBIANUM – History You Can Touch Eberhard’s commitment to innovation is best understood through its history. The company’s first Yanmar machine entered operation in 1981: a YB25L excavator deployed during the demolition of an old shoe factory. Where other heavy equipment struggled, the compact excavator—fitted with a demolition hammer—handled the demanding high-reach demolition with ease. That moment marked the beginning of a growing Yanmar fleet. Today, Eberhard Bau AG operates 19 Yanmar excavators ranging from 1.5 to 10 tonnes, each carefully selected and configured for specific applications. Even older than the YB25L is a YTB 1200 excavator from 1979—a machine later acquired as a collector’s piece. After a year-long restoration, it now stands as a centerpiece of EBIANUM, the company’s in-house excavator museum. A blend of “Eberhard” and “Museum,” EBIANUM bridges past and future, offering visitors a hands-on journey through the evolution of construction machinery. “Our first Yanmar machine immediately showed how quality and commitment can achieve great things together,” explains Patrick Eberhard. “And the restored YTB 1200 has become a highlight for young visitors—history inspires most when it’s tangible.” Inspiring the Next Generation Looking forward is just as important as preserving history. Under Patrick’s leadership, Eberhard launched ebi.YOUNG, an interactive platform designed to introduce children and young people to the construction industry in a playful, hands-on way. Through digital content and on-site experiences at EBIANUM—such as construction trailers, experiments, and short excavator rides—young people aged 4 to 16 gain early exposure to construction technology, career paths, and site operations. “Our investments always have two dimensions,” says Patrick. “Today’s operations—and the generation that comes after us. If we want young people to be excited about construction, they need to work with modern, intuitive, and safe machines.” What makes the collaboration between ebi.YOUNG and Yanmar special is its authenticity. Young participants work directly with real machines, taking on responsibility early—supported by compact equipment that makes learning intuitive and safe. This closely aligns with Yanmar’s Hanasaka philosophy, which focuses on nurturing talent and helping people grow. “For many young people at ebi.YOUNG, Yanmar excavators are the first machines they ever operate,” Patrick adds. “When getting started is fun, passion for the profession grows.” In 2024 alone, more than 66,000 visitors engaged with EBIANUM and its interactive programs—clear proof of the strong appeal created by combining technology, education, and experience. The Making of a Difference Maker Asked what defines a “Difference Maker,” Patrick Eberhard is clear: “Someone who actively shapes change—with courage, vision, and conviction. At Eberhard, that means investing in modern technologies while consistently promoting the next generation. My role is to create the right conditions: machines that inspire, a culture that supports, and a focus that enables the future.” For Patrick, “full steam ahead into the future” means trusting people—both experienced machine operators and young talent—and investing boldly in quality. “If we work together,” he says, “the future is not just predictable, it’s strong.” Shaping the Future Together Through continuous fleet modernization, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to education, Eberhard sends a clear message: innovation, efficiency, and quality remain the company’s driving forces. Yanmar machines play a central role in that journey—not only through performance and comfort, but through reliability in daily operation. By combining heritage with forward-looking