Endress+Hauser Achieves New High in Patents, Honours Company Innovators
June 22, 2021
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of patents granted Endress+Hauser Group worldwide reached a new one-year high last year of 738, or 61 more than 2019. The company’s intellectual property portfolio is more extensive than ever, with more than 8,900 patents and patent applications protecting the intellectual property behind the Group’s products, solutions and services. A total of 276 new patent applications were filed last year, or 42 fewer than the year before.
Innovation as a success factor
“The fact that all this was achieved during the coronavirus pandemic, despite particular strain and additional tasks, is a huge achievement,” said Angelika Andres, Corporate Director of Intellectual Property Rights and head of the Group’s intellectual property division. Department head Dr Christine Koslowski added: “There was tinkering and testing with and without masks, while working from home and in the workshop, with team spirit and digital tools.”
“Innovations drive Endress+Hauser’s growth,” emphasized CEO Matthias Altendorf. If nothing else, digital tools helped bridge the physical distance during the pandemic, he said. “But people need other people.” Virtual exchange cannot replace face-to-face encounters in the long run; relationships and trust are only built through direct contact. That’s why the CEO is convinced that “cooperation, collaboration and creativity need physical proximity.”
Recently, more than 500 of the company’s internal inventors gathered virtually for Endress+Hauser’s 21st Innovators’ Meeting. Since last year’s anniversary Innovators’ Meeting had to be canceled due to the pandemic, two innovator cohorts were invited in 2021 to honour the creativity and inventive spirit of the Group of companies.
Progress in many areas
For 20 years, Endress+Hauser has been promoting the protection of intellectual property with its Patent Rights Incentive Program. In this context, the annual Innovators’ Meeting offers the global Group’s inventors a platform for meeting and exchanging ideas. Economically significant patents and particularly creative inventors are awarded prizes. Around 50 employees stood virtually on the winners’ podium for this event.
“At its heart, innovation is always about customer benefit,” said Chief Operating Officer Dr Andreas Mayr. This benefit can be created by new products and technologies, but also by smoother cooperation or accelerated development projects. For this reason, Endress+Hauser has also been presenting awards for the improvement of processes and the reuse of previously developed solutions for a number of years. Dozens of employees also were honored for this at the 2021 Innovators’ Meeting.
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