An interview with Burgerstein Vitamine

Endurance, Trust, and Swiss Roots: A Conversation with Tanja Zimmermann-Burgerstein 

Obersee Nachrichten, a local Swiss newspaper recently interviewed Tanja Zimmermann-Burgerstein, the CEO of Burgerstein Vitamine on her long-standing support of Oliver Heer and the values that connect sailing and health. 

Ms. Zimmermann-Burgerstein, you have been supporting Oliver Heer for many years. How did this partnership originally come about?  

It developed through personal contact with him and his family. A trusting relationship is crucial in sponsorship—media exposure alone is not enough.

What convinced you about Heer and his Vendée Globe project? 

Ollie is an exceptional young man who spared no effort to make his dream come true. People like him deserve support—they are role models for all of us. Even if the Vendée Globe seems unfamiliar to many, it’s easy to understand the enormous achievement behind it. 

Burgerstein Vitamine has been an integral part of Rapperswil for decades. What does the region mean to you—both professionally and personally? 

Our family has roots in Rapperswil—we’ve had a business presence here for over 100 years, including through Leder & Co AG. Our extended family also lives here. I grew up in Rapperswil, and although I had a wonderful time in the USA, it was always clear to me that I wanted to raise my children here. It’s an incredibly beautiful place. 

Do you have a personal connection to sailing? Do you sail yourself?  

My father was an avid sailor, so we had a lot of exposure to water sports as children. Whether sailing, windsurfing, or water skiing—I’ve always enjoyed being on the water. I prefer warm climates though—the Southern Ocean wouldn’t be for me. 

The Vendée Globe is considered one of the toughest races in the world. How do you feel about Heer successfully completing this challenge?  

I have enormous respect for his achievement. Since we’ve been involved from the very beginning, I saw firsthand what it takes just to qualify. It demands tremendous resources, strength, and skills that go well beyond sailing. To complete this adventure solo is an extraordinary accomplishment—both mentally and physically. When I was finally able to hug him at the finish line, I just felt relieved. 

Ollie is an exceptional young man who spared no effort to make his dream come true. People like him deserve support—they are role models for all of us. - Tanja Zimmermann-Burgerstein, CEO Burgerstein Vitamine

Which of Burgerstein’s values or beliefs are reflected in sailing and in Heer's journey?  

Success and health are built on many pillars. Burgerstein vitamins are one of them. Sailing also relies on key values—quality, passion, responsibility, respect, and trust—all of which align closely with our company philosophy. 

Rapperswil is proud of its athletes. How important is it to you to support regional talent?  

Supporting athletic talent is very important to us. With our expertise and product sponsorship, we can help athletes fuel their bodies and pursue their goals. We see athletes as authentic ambassadors—people who genuinely trust our products. 

Has your support of Oliver’s project brought any internal changes at Burgerstein—perhaps in terms of team spirit, sustainability, or perseverance?  

The project has been a source of inspiration for many of our employees. We’ve received great feedback internally and externally. It takes courage to invest in niche sports, as they don’t always attract mainstream attention like skiing or tennis. But the stories behind these sports are just as inspiring. I’m certain that when we face tough moments as a company, we’ll draw strength from Ollie’s journey. 

What’s next—will Burgerstein Vitamine continue supporting Oliver Heer?  

We absolutely want to stay by Ollie’s side. Our products contribute to his health, and he has big ambitions that require a sizeable budget. We want to remain a part of that, but for him to go even further, he’ll need a few bigger fish in the sponsorship pond. While Burgerstein is well known in Switzerland, we’re still a family-run SME from Rapperswil. 

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