Basil Strässle

From sales support to AI journey for the entire Nolato

When Basil Strässle reflects on his years at Nolato, a clear thread emerges: curiosity, entrepreneurship, and the desire to build something that doesn’t yet exist. Today, he is AI Transformation Manager for Nolato Group and IT Business Analyst at Nolato Treff, but the journey began in a completely different role. 

From Injection Molding to Digitalization and AI

Basil joined Nolato Treff in Degersheim, Switzerland, in 2021, during his part-time studies in Business IT. He had previously worked at a prototype company specializing in injection molding and entered a newly established role as Technical Sales Assistant. The work involved supporting the sales and engineering teams with quotes and customer-related tasks, but Basil quickly saw additional opportunities.

"Since the role was new, there was room to shape it. Early on, I began identifying digital improvement opportunities and initiating smaller IT projects alongside sales work. This gave me both a deep insight into our customers’ needs and an understanding of how different functions interact," he says.

Curiosity as a Driving Force

With a background as a mechanical designer and project manager, Basil thrived at the intersection of technology and business. When he later seized the opportunity to complete an exchange semester at Halmstad University, focusing on applied artificial intelligence, it coincided with tools like ChatGPT becoming available to the public.

"Studying applied AI just as generative AI was taking off was a pivotal moment. I saw in real time how quickly the technology was evolving and how much it would impact our industry. At the same time, I received my first assignment for Nolato AB in Sweden, where I conducted the group’s first IT security audit together with Group IT. This opened the door to global issues and gave me a clearer picture of where Nolato stood and where we could go," Basil recounts.

After his time in Halmstad, he stepped into a new role as IT Business Analyst at Nolato Treff, focusing on business applications and local digitalization. Collaboration with Group IT and other corporate functions increased in parallel, ultimately leading to his current position as AI Transformation Manager for Nolato Group.

Building Roles from Scratch

A recurring challenge for Basil has been that all the roles he has held at Nolato were newly established: Technical Sales Assistant, IT Business Analyst, and AI Transformation Manager.

"There were neither predecessors nor ready-made templates to rely on. At the same time, it was a great opportunity. I’ve had to listen a lot, understand the needs of the business, deliver quick yet visible results, and be clear about what we do and why. This way, it’s been possible to build trust and transform blank pages into structured, value-creating roles," he says.

Support from managers and mentors has been central. At Nolato Treff, Basil particularly highlights his then-manager in Sales, Christof Schlegel, who gave him space to take responsibility, shared his network, and facilitated his time in Sweden. At Nolato AB, the assignment from Jonas Tillberg, Head of IT, became a milestone when Basil was entrusted with the first IT security audit at the corporate level.

AI as a Strategic Pillar

In his role as AI Transformation Manager, Basil has a global mission: to coordinate and support Nolato’s AI initiatives, build competence, create common frameworks, and ensure that AI is used responsibly and business-driven.

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"Over time, I’ve deepened my knowledge in applied AI, AI governance, and how to design initiatives that are both scalable and secure. A key part is translating business needs into concrete technical solutions, but also helping the organization understand what AI is and isn’t. It’s largely about change management," he says. 

Through internal AI workshops, idea and value sessions with, for example, Group Procurement, Global Sales, Production & Quality, and Finance, Basil and his colleagues have built a shared foundation. The projects have involved close collaboration with both external partners and Group Management, clearly demonstrating how AI has transitioned from experimentation to a recognized strategic pillar for Nolato.

Culture, Motivation, and Advice for New Employees

When Basil describes Nolato’s culture, he repeatedly mentions the combination of clear frameworks and local freedom.

"Nolato combines a clear corporate structure with a very decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. Each site is close to its customers and has its own character, making collaboration both educational and dynamic. What I appreciate most is the high level of trust and the willingness to try new things. If you have an idea, you’re encouraged to test, learn, and improve. This has been crucial for both digitalization and AI," he says.

He draws motivation from the opportunity to genuinely impact Nolato’s future.

"I’m driven by seeing tangible impacts on colleagues, processes, and customers. Nolato has consistently given me room to grow, take new steps, and work across boundaries. That AI is now a clear part of the strategy makes the journey even more exciting," Basil says.

To those new at Nolato, he has clear advice: "Be curious and proactive. If you see a better way to do something, speak up and offer to be involved. Build relationships across departments and sites early on; it helps you understand the bigger picture. And be patient. Small, well-executed improvements often open doors to greater responsibilities and new opportunities."

The Future Journey and Life Outside Work

Looking ahead, Basil sees his role as helping Nolato transition from individual AI pilots to systematic scaling of successful use cases across the entire group. This involves building local AI champions, strengthening governance and principles, and integrating AI closely with both digital and business strategic goals.

Personally, he wants to continue developing at the intersection of technology, business, and organizational development, with a clear focus on people.

"Our AI journey is not a technology project but a transformation of how we work and make decisions. The goal is to become an AI-mature company, where people and customers are at the centre," he says.

Outside of work, Basil spends a lot of time with friends, family, and physical activity. He is a co-founder and chairman of a local padel club in Switzerland and recently completed a marathon with a friend. His interest in learning also extends to his free time, through new technology, history, politics, innovation, and new perspectives on the world.

"For me, AI is about providing people with better tools so they can focus on what we humans do best: judgment, creativity, and collaboration."