Year after year, the Endress+Hauser Group invest more than seven percent of its sales worldwide in research and development. A consistently high rate of patent applications in all areas of measurement technology is proof of the solid power of innovation of the Swiss family company.
“With 270 first applications and 456 patents granted, we’re pleased to report that we once more exceeded last year’s great results,” says Angelika Andres, head of PatServe, Endress+Hauser’s intellectual property department. “The development shows a high level of continuity and a good spread across all our key technologies.” The strongest growth segment was analytics, where the strategic acquisitions of recent years (Analytik Jena, SpectraSensors, Kaiser Optical Systems) make themselves felt. The number of proprietary rights active worldwide has meanwhile risen to 6552.
On average, four out of five invention disclosures from Endress+Hauser’s rank and file get forwarded to the patent office. More than half of these have global relevance and are also patented in the USA and in China. Only about 30 percent of all patents reach business relevance, often after many years, but they are crucially important for the Group’s growth. “Our proprietary rights not only protect each innovation, but the enterprise as a whole,” explains Michael Ziesemer, COO of the Endress+Hauser Group. “Our own broad-based patent portfolio allows us to fend off attacks by competitors with better chances of success.”
New branch office in the USA
PatServe opening an office abroad fits well into this context: From 1 April 2016, three experts will protect technical innovations at the Greenwood site in Indiana where Endress+Hauser produces level, flow, pressure and temperature measurement instruments. With around 600 people working in production and 250 in sales, the USA is among Endress+Hauser’s most important markets.
Honouring its inventors has a long tradition at the measurement and automation technology specialist: Employees who have filed a patent get invited to the annual Innovators’ Meeting. “This is how we show our inventors that we appreciate their work,” says Ziesemer. Attended by over 300 people, the 2016 event took place on 11 March at the exhibition centre in Mulhouse, France. As every year, patents that are particularly important in economic terms received prizes during this festive occasion.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an
Read more...Bearings International fosters dynamic customer partnerships
News
Bearings International has consistently set the benchmarks in innovation and excellence as a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission and interconnected mechanical consumables that sustainably facilitate and optimise operations for mining and industrial customers across Southern Africa.
Read more...Africa’s industrial revolution accelerates
News
As Africa undergoes a rapid industrial transformation, AATF Connect 2025 emerges as the premier platform to showcase innovation, drive collaboration, and spark discussions that will shape the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...From the editor's desk: A good servant and a bad master Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
In our new AI-generated world it was inevitable that the Nobel Committee would have noticed. And last November two pioneers of artificial intelligence, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, won the Nobel Prize ...
Read more...Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment Festo South Africa
News
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.
Read more...German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe Beckhoff Automation
News
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.
Read more...Iritron celebrates 25 years of excellence Iritron
News
When Iritron, a leading provider of engineering and industrial solutions was founded in 2000, it was on the principles of exceptional service and lasting part-nerships. Today, Iritron has grown from a small team of four into a company of over 120 employees, serving clients across South Africa and beyond.