Oct. 20, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Baxter International, Yahoo!, Alcon Corporation, AGCO, Medtronic and CSL Behring will receive Tell Awards for Switzerland's most significant inward investment projects by North American firms in 2008, reports Mario Brossi, North American senior advisor for Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion. The awards are named for the legendary Swiss hero William Tell and will be presented on October 26 by Switzerland's Ambassador to the U.S. Urs Ziswiler.

The Tell Awards date from 2004 in a program recognizing projects by U.S., Canadian and Mexican firms, Mr. Brossi said. The program has grown in terms of interest expressed in Switzerland and overseas. The awards are sponsored by the Swiss Embassy, Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion, and the American - Swiss Business Council based in Washington.

Baxter International receives the 2008 award for the most significant manufacturing operation recognizing the opening of its new production facility in Neuchatel. The expansion doubles the size of its operations, which have been recognized as a Center of Excellence for Bio-Tech. Baxter also has locations in San Vittore, Volketswil and Wallisellen.

The most significant headquarters project award for 2008 goes to Yahoo! after moving its European Headquarters from London to Rolle, near Lausanne.

Two awards for significant expansion projects are presented for 2008. Agriculture equipment manufacturer and distributor AGCO expanded its operations in Schaffhausen by making it its new strategic headquarters for the European and Asia Pacific Regions. Ophthalmology and eye related product manufacturer Alcon Corporation added to its presence in Switzerland with a new EMEA headquarters in Geneva. The company's other facilities are in Zug and Fribourg.

The award for the most significant innovative technology investment in 2008 goes to CSL Behring for its investment in the development of a novel, next-generation immunoglobulin therapy for people with primary immune deficiencies. CSL Behring has constructed a new plant for the therapy at its Center of Excellence in Berne, combining state-of-the-art industrial scale filtration technology, highly efficient separation processes and advanced formulation know-how to provide increased volumes of enhanced therapy for patients.