Mr. René Bigger founded VDS SA, Vacuum Diecasting Service, Switzerland, twenty years ago, and is the Director and owner.  After six years of experience in vacuum pressure die-casting, he founded his firm with the goal of offering to his customers services in the vacuum casting domain that were not available elsewhere.  The first developments he carried out in mechanical vacuum shut-off valves greatly improved their design and mechanical arrangement, and he followed this with new developments in actuated high-speed valves (internationally patented) to respond to the market demand.  In order to reduce the costs of overhauling the valves he patented a new system of quick-change bushes, which are a key element of every VDS valve.  Holder of the Typhoon valve patent, Mr. Bigger is also responsible for significant improvements in surface treatments for vacuum valves.