Sontheim an der Brenz - They have an outstanding talent for invention and exemplary innovation processes and build a successful bridge from the original idea to market success: the most innovative SME's in Germany. Range Yogeshwar will award these companies with the "Top 100" seal of quality in Friedrichshafen on June 22nd. RÖHM GmbH from Sontheim an der Brenz is among the award winners.
Far-sightedness brings its own reward - this is the experience made by the specialists for chucking technology from Sontheim. The company, which with 1,255 employees (in Germany) produces machine components for holding and positioning workpieces and tools, recognized the potential of energy-efficient solutions earlier than all other providers. And although no one was interested at first in a new product generation of this kind, RÖHM went ahead with development. "Our gut feeling told us that this technology would take off in the future," CEO Dr. Michael Fried remembers. In fact, success was not slow in coming. "Our 'green' machine components give us a competitive advantage of several years," as Fried is happy to declare.
A special feature of the innovation management of the long-established company founded in 1909 is its self-testing policy. On their way to series production, new developments are not only tested in the test laboratory, but must also pass a practical test in the company's own manufacturing department. Only then do they receive "ready for the market" approval. "After all, a laboratory test can never 100% reproduce a product's application under real conditions," Fried explains, citing an additional advantage of this procedure: "This way, our customers can get an idea of the reliability of the machine components on the spot."
Important partners in the marketing of innovations are universities, with which RÖHM conducts basic research. One current project: the integration of sensors in chucking tools. No technology currently exists for this, but the company management is certain that the market will adopt this solution in the future.
Dr. Nikolaus Franke and his team from the Vienna University of Economics and Business have reviewed the innovation management of 281 SME's. The best among them will receive the "Top 100" seal of quality. Dr. Michael Fried is pleased about the honor, emphasizing team effort: "I see the seal of quality as an award for our employees. Their enthusiasm and effort are our number one innovation factor. At the same time, we have established the right processes to tap this creativity productively. These two things together make us a success."