On Friday, September 4, 2026, DIXI Polytool celebrated its 80th anniversary at its new production facility in Gampelen, in the Bernese Seeland region. For this corporate anniversary event, the Neuchâtel-based agency ohmytime commissioned Slackline Events to create a highline show suspended some 20 meters above the ground, between two telescopic boom lifts. The 15-minute walk was accompanied by a custom-written voice-over narrating 80 years of precision.
Goals: A corporate anniversary show that tells a story
The client wanted a highlight during the cocktail reception—something that would bring all the guests together in one place and celebrate two milestones at once: the company’s 80th anniversary and the inauguration of its new building.
Founded in 1946 in Le Locle, DIXI Polytool designs high-precision carbide cutting tools for the watchmaking, medical, and microtechnology industries. The company is part of the DIXI Group, a long-standing player in the precision manufacturing industry of the Jura Arc. The presentation was therefore intended to highlight precision, perseverance, and the passing down of knowledge, without resorting to corporate jargon.
The specifications were just a few lines long:
- a performance in French, visible to all guests from the cocktail reception area;
- a turnkey service, with no technical management required from the agency beyond the equipment and sound system;
- a show that reflects the company's identity rather than just a demonstration.
Background and Challenges: A Highline Between Two Gondolas
The main challenge was the lack of natural anchor points. The new site in Gampelen is surrounded by fields and parking lots: no trees, no cliffs, and no buildings tall enough to stretch a line between. The solution chosen was to anchor the highline to two hoists rented from Gyger Nacelles.
The choice of equipment required some adjustments. The first aerial work platforms we considered did not have stabilizers. However, a highline exerts significant tension on its anchor points: the platforms must remain perfectly stable, regardless of the artist’s position on the line. After approval by our technical director, the agency secured two telescopic aerial work platforms equipped with stabilizers, which were positioned in the parking lot across from the site.
Other constraints to consider:
- The timing: the cocktail reception began at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m., at the end of the day, when there was still enough natural light to make stage lighting unnecessary.
- The weather: An outdoor highline show depends mainly on the wind. We shared our decision-making criteria with the agency in advance.
- The audience: employees, partners, and guests, gathered under a tent in the field next to the company.
Our solution: a turnkey highline show, complete with a custom voice-over
Slackline Events handled all artistic and technical aspects: show design, installation of the cable, safety, and performance. The three-person team arrived at 1:30 p.m. to begin setup at 2:00 p.m., as soon as the gondolas were in place.
Installation and Safety
The highline was stretched between the two gondolas, about 20 meters above the ground. As with all our shows, the main line is backed up by a safety line, and the performer remains connected to the line at all times via a safety lanyard. Each anchor point is checked before the first walk. To learn more about our approach, visit our page dedicated to highline performances for events.
A voice-over script written for DIXI
To tie the show to the company’s history, we proposed an original voice-over. The script, approved by the client before the event, follows the choreography sequence by sequence: the first step in 1946, the changes in direction, the demand for precision, and finally the arrival in Gampelen. One sentence summed up the show’s concept: at DIXI, “a hundredth of a millimeter separates crossing the gap from falling.”
The soundtrack was sent in advance to the event's technical service provider. The agency was already handling the sound system for the event, so no additional audio equipment was needed.
A suit in the style of 1946
Black pants, a white shirt, and suspenders: a simple, elegant outfit that pays homage to the postwar era and the year the company was founded.
Highlights of the show
The show lasted about fifteen minutes, following the narrative of the voice-over:
- exiting onto the track while seated, then taking the first steps above the parking lot;
- the entire crossing, followed by a U-turn at the end of the line;
- a sequence of acrobatic moves in the middle of the highline;
- a moment suspended in time, lying on my back looking up at the sky, while the voiceover spoke of “hands, ideas, and years of experience”;
- the return, the final bow while seated at the edge of the stage, and the applause.
The late-afternoon light, the DIXI logo on the facade of the new building, and the fields of the Seeland in the background provided a picturesque setting, captured by photographer Fabien Nissels and a drone.
Results and Impact
The show served as a gathering point: guests gathered in front of the building to watch the display, drinks in hand. The voice-over told the company’s story—without speeches or screens—directly in the sky.
Photos from the evening were shared on social media after the event, in accordance with the communication schedule set by the agency. For DIXI Polytool, the show provided a powerful and shareable image of the grand opening of the Gampelen site.
This format joins other grand openings we have helped organize, such as the highline for the grand opening of the Cour de Gare in Sion, the acrobatic show for the grand opening of Forum Fribourg, and the performance at the new Le Rosey Institute building.
Tips for Organizing a Highline Performance at a Company Anniversary Celebration
A highline show requires several weeks of preparation. Here are the details you should confirm early on with your service provider:
- Identify anchor points. Trees, buildings, towers, or lifting equipment: if there are no natural anchor points, aerial work platforms or telescopic machines with stabilizers are a good option.
- Have the machine model approved. Not all aerial work platforms are suitable. Provide the model numbers to your service provider before making a reservation.
- Schedule the performance during a break. An appetizer or a transition between two parts of the evening gives everyone a chance to look up at the same time.
- Think about lighting. At the end of the day, natural light is often sufficient. At night, plan to use spotlights or a follow spot.
- Tell a story. A voiceover or carefully selected music transforms a technical feat into a moment that speaks to your brand.
- Have a weather plan in place. Discuss wind thresholds and a backup plan in advance.
- Plan ahead for communication. Photographer, videographer, drone operator: plan your filming so you can reuse the footage after the event.
Would you prefer an interactive activity? Our introductory slackline workshops and slackline team-building activities are the perfect complement to a performance at a corporate event. You can find more examples in our event case studies, including the UDECAM corporate show in Paris.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to DIXI Polytool and the DIXI Group for their trust; to Charlyne Montandon and the entire team atthe event agency ohmytime for a seamless organization; to Gyger Nacelles for the equipment; and to photographer Fabien Nissels for the photos.
To follow their news: DIXI Polytool on LinkedIn, ohmytime on LinkedIn, and ohmytime on Instagram.
Let's discuss your project
Are you planning a company anniversary, a grand opening, or a corporate event in Switzerland or France? Let’s talk: we’ll assess the technical feasibility of your venue and propose a show tailored to your story. Email us at info@slackline-events.com or check out our acrobatic slackline shows.
Photos: Fabien Nissels – Event organized by ohmytime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Highline Performances for Corporations
What is a highline show?
A highline show is a balancing act performed on a slackline stretched high between two anchor points. The performer walks, sits, lies down, or performs tricks high above the audience. Each show is tailored to the venue, the desired duration, and the event’s theme.
Is it possible to set up a highline without trees or buildings?
Yes, a highline can be strung between two lifting devices, such as telescopic boom lifts or cranes. The machines must be equipped with stabilizers and approved by our technical team. This was the setup used for DIXI Polytool’s 80th anniversary celebration in Gampelen.
At what height does a highline performance take place?
The height depends on the location and the available anchor points, generally ranging from a few meters to several tens of meters. In Gampelen, the line was installed at a height of about 20 meters. We adjust the height based on the desired visibility and safety requirements.
How is security ensured?
Safety relies on a main line backed up by a backup line and a lanyard that keeps the performer connected to the line at all times. The anchor points are checked before each crossing. The audience remains on the ground, outside the area directly beneath the line.
How long does it take to set up a highline?
Generally, set-up takes several hours, depending on the configuration. For DIXI Polytool, the three-person team began setup at 2:00 p.m. for a show at 7:30 p.m. We finalize the schedule with the organizer during the preparation phase.
What happens in case of bad weather?
Wind is the main factor in deciding whether to hold an outdoor highline event. We share our thresholds in advance and work with the organizer to determine a backup plan. Light rain doesn’t always prevent the performance from taking place.
Can the show be customized to reflect the company's brand?
Yes, the show can include a custom-written voice-over, selected music, and costumes or colors that reflect the brand. For DIXI, the voice-over recounted the company’s 80-year history. The script is submitted to the client for approval before the event.
Is the show suitable for a building dedication ceremony?
Yes, the highline is a great format for grand openings because it showcases the venue and brings all the guests together. We have already provided support for several grand openings, such as the Cour de Gare in Sion and Forum Fribourg.
How long does a highline show last?
A highline performance typically lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. DIXI Polytool’s show lasted about 15 minutes, synchronized with the voice-over. The duration can be adjusted to fit the schedule of your event.
Do you work with event agencies?
Yes, we regularly collaborate with event agencies in Switzerland and France. We provide a turnkey service and coordinate the technical aspects with the agency and its vendors. For DIXI Polytool, we worked with the agency ohmytime.
How do I book a highline show?
Please contact us with the date, location, and type of event. We’ll assess the technical feasibility and send you a customized quote. Be sure to check out our highline show page as well.