WESSLING Innovation Award

Quicker calculation of chemical content, digital interface for the laboratory and the customer, new technique for detecting Legionella and environmental awareness as early as at pre-school: the Group’s innovation awards were handed over this year on 15 February in Münster, and our customers also benefit from the innovations. The jury rewarded two initiatives from Hungary this year, of which we are extremely proud.

The laboratory of Münster was chosen this time from the total of 25 locations in seven European countries and China because it celebrated the 35th year of its foundation this year. The ceremony at the arts museum of the town in North Germany was attended by the founder, owners and international management of the WESSLING Group.

The Group has a total of some 1600 employees, many of whom put forth innovative ideas year after year.

“We aren’t running out of ideas” – said executive and shareholder Florian Weßling, emphasising that innovation is paramount for the company and that good ideas do not always depend on funding. “Minor improvements often create major benefits for our customers and services” – he noted.

The winners this year convinced the jury with innovations in food safety, environmental protection and digitalisation.

“We are a learning company and our employees are highly motivated to develop and improve our processes, products and services day after day” – remarked Dr. Erwin Weßling, the founder of the family business in regard to the company’s innovations. “Each and every one our employees is also a problem solver at the same time, and we always have to keep an eye on our customers’ needs and requirements. In other words, our colleagues play a crucial role in our shared success.” To boost its innovation potential the company participates in research and development projects in cooperation with universities and colleges. It also works in partnership with technical, professional and standards committees. The WESSLING Innovation Award ceremony - the tenth this year since its launch – is one of the most impressive symbol of the company’s innovation culture. The venue of the award ceremony was also symbolic this year too: the “Collegium Maius” building of the Jagiellonian University. Founded in 1364 the University is Europe’s second oldest higher education institution, with an emphasis on natural sciences. Innovations were submitted by nearly 30 teams or individual contestants to the competition where prizes worth a total of 10,000 euros are handed over. “Our company employs technicians and professionals of about 40 different trades and vocations, about half of which belong to natural sciences or engineering. Accordingly, many of the teams participating in the contest are made up of representatives of multiple disciplines. It is key that we continuously cross the boundaries of the various specific fields of expertise in order to be able to focus on the wider context” – said Diana Weßling, spokeswoman for the company. 

Beaming faces in the historical auditorium of the Jagiellonian University of Krakow (left to right): Dr. Erwin Weßling, founder of the company, Prof. Wojciech Macyk, Aneta Chochorek, manager of WESSLING Poland, Brian Patrick Morrison winner, Diana Weßling, member of the company and the other winners: Paul-Louis Curtaud, Dr. Peter Andersch, Dr. József Horgos and Maxime Lerbret

The network of 25 units employing some 1,600 people in Europe and China rewarded the ideas of some of its brightest employees in its laboratories in France, Hungary and Germany, with its innovation award this year in Poland.

“We are a learning company and our employees are highly motivated to develop and improve our processes, products and services day after day” – remarked Dr. Erwin Weßling, the founder of the family business in regard to the company’s innovations. “Each and every one our employees is also a problem solver at the same time, and we always have to keep an eye on our customers’ needs and requirements. In other words, our colleagues play a crucial role in our shared success.” To boost its innovation potential the company participates in research and development projects in cooperation with universities and colleges. It also works in partnership with technical, professional and standards committees.

The WESSLING Innovation Award ceremony - the tenth this year since its launch – is one of the most impressive symbol of the company’s innovation culture.  The venue of the award ceremony was also symbolic this year too: the “Collegium Maius” building of the Jagiellonian University. Founded in 1364 the University is Europe’s second oldest higher education institution, with an emphasis on natural sciences. Innovations were submitted by nearly 30 teams or individual contestants to the competition where prizes worth a total of 10,000 euros are handed over. “Our company employs technicians and professionals of about 40 different trades and vocations, about half of which belong to natural sciences or engineering. Accordingly, many of the teams participating in the contest are made up of representatives of multiple disciplines. It is key that we continuously cross the boundaries of the various specific fields of expertise in order to be able to focus on the wider context” – said Diana Weßling, spokeswoman for the company.

Increased efficiency in preparing food and livestock feed samples

One good example for this is the innovation entered by one of the winning teams. Natalie Ganzauer, quality controller at WESSLING’s Berlin unit, and her laboratory assistants Brian Patrick Morrison and Julius Pollhäne developed a new method for improving the efficiency of food and feed tests. For example, food samples are checked for the presence of more than a hundred unstable crop protection product residues. To this end, the material to be examined is frozen and finely ground into a homogeneous sample, from which they can then draw representative conclusions. Laboratories used to use solid state carbon dioxide – commonly known as dry ice – to do so, which cools the material down to about -78°C. The Berlin team looked for an alternative solution and found liquid nitrogen. The so-called cryogenic grinding technique makes it possible to cool the sample to a very cold -196 C. This enables definite and even quicker identification of the very unstable sulphur-containing crop protection products, i.e. dithiocarbamates. The technique is so innovative that the company is now working on having the EU Commission’s guides on quality concerning the analysis of foodstuffs and animal feeds for crop protection product residues supplemented by adding this new method.

Improved storage of drug samples

Another winner, Dr. József Horgos, worked on a completely different subject. As a so-called “qualified person” he performs a special task at the company’s Hungarian unit. When WESSLING analyses pharmaceutical products for its customers and authorises their introduction to the market the reference samples must be kept properly for one year beyond the expiry dates. This means storage for three to six years in general, and Mr. Horgos is responsible for ensuring that drug products can be tested at any time again in case anyone files a complaint. After a while the approx. 200 sample units’ capacity that is available in the Budapest laboratory, turned out to be no longer sufficient. For this reason, Mr. Horgos developed a specially closed cabinet which can be placed on a pallet and moved in place with a forklift in the high-rack warehouse operated by a service provider specialising in providing such service; this enables the storage of up to as many as 2000 pallets with about 120,000 samples. The warehouse facility must meet specific temperature and humidity requirements and is accessible only for authorised persons. It is also relevant that this arrangement reduces storage costs, which is an added benefit to WESSLING’s customers.

Hardware and software for increased security and effectiveness

WESSLING France’s IT manager Paul-Louis Curtaud and software developer Maxime Lerbret used their best efforts and knowledge in testing and optimising a test chamber. This system is used for measuring construction materials’ indoor pollutant emissions. Tests are carried out in approx. 50 chambers, in which precisely defined environmental conditions must be maintained for a 28-day period. Formerly, laboratory employees had to be present continuously at the premises to keep relative humidity and air temperature under control. The two winners of the award installed USB thermometers and humidity detectors from which readings can be taken even remotely, through wireless connection. Moreover, the sensors were connected into a network, eliminating the need for computers’ physical presence, saving room and costs. At the same time, the new system affords increased safety and security, for no data can be lost as a consequence of a computer’s software failure. In addition to all this Paul-Louis Curtaud and Maxime Lebret developed their own software for automated saving of measurements once every ten minutes.

Natural scientific infotainment

Work at WESSLING is often so complex that it is not easy to share with or assign to another employee. When our specialists demonstrate their expertise at the company’s own academy or in external events they often have to take a rather general approach to their subject. The technical head of the laboratory in Münster, Dr. Peter Andersch, found a way for presenting scientific content in a simple form. He delivers presentations on technical and professional matters, such as physical and chemical interactions, comparing generic drugs with the original products, structured in an impressive yet understandable form, using a kind of an ambassador, that is, “AnalyTiger”, a plush animal, helping him make his presentations more transparent and understandable. This concept earned him a special award.

The WESSLING Innovation Award, launched on the basis of the group founder Dr. Erwin Weßling’s initiative, is handed over each year for ideas and developments making a useful contribution to day-to-day work, generate technical/professional and business benefits for the company and its customers, and motivate our employees.

Beaming faces in the historical auditorium of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków (from left to right): company founder Dr Erwin Weßling, Prof. Wojciech Macyk, Aneta Chochorek, Managing Director WESSLING Poland, award winner Brian Patrick Morrison, Partner Diana Weßling and the award winners Paul-Louis Curtaud, Dr Peter Andersch, Dr József Horgos and Maxime Lerbret.

French, German and Hungarian colleagues received the awards at the group’s annual assembly in Munich this year. The international jury rewarded our employees’ best ideas with a total prize of 10,000 euros, for the ninth consecutive year this time. The award winning innovations reflect the outstanding expertise of the engineers and scientists of the company, a provider of analytical and consultancy services.

Nanomaterials expert Dr. Jens Reiber, and sampling specialist Christian Winter worked out a new technique for analysing microplastics together. We have been aware of the plastic contamination of our oceans for years how, just like the fact that tens of millions of tonnes of uncontrolled plastic waste ending up in the environment each year in Europe alone. Plastic particles and fibres, smaller than five millimetres, are called microplastics. These find their way into the environment also in the form of plastic waste, or as plastic pollution in waste water. These tiny particles are absorbed by a variety of organisms, and may eventually enter the food chain as well. This is why it is paramount that these microplastics are identified and their quantities are established, for instance in waste water, sludge, sediments, drinking water and food.

In addition to improving the sampling procedure and the preparation of samples Jens Reiber and Christian Winter introduced a new method to facilitate the correct identification of plastics under the FTIR microscope. Environmental water samples – such as samples from water at waste water treatment plants – are taken with the help of filter inserts at the site (pore size: 15 µm), by concentrating water as much as up to a cubic metre. The preparation of the samples in the laboratory enables the separation of plastic particles from the rest of the contaminants (sediments, organic matter including, for example, plant residues).

The new method, which can be further developed in accordance with customers’ requirements, have already been used with success in France: waste water samples and sea salt used for human consumption, for instance have been tested for the presence of microplastics.

At WESSLING’s Lyon plant Jimmy Sapede, Robin T’Jampens and Stéphane Fievet developed a quick testing method for industrial gas, biogas and pipeline gas, cutting the testing time by two thirds in comparison with the conventional testing method. Customers are provided with accurate results in a matter of a few hours, at reduced costs. The design of the sampling suitcase enables the test kit even to be taken on board of aeroplanes as hand baggage. The suitcase comprises measuring instruments, along with sampling flasks and materials such as silica gel and quartz filters. Every item and bottle has its own foam-lined slot. Samples can also be taken right from the pipeline and – thanks to battery powered measurement control solution – up to three samples can be taken simultaneously, at different flow speeds and under up to 80 bar pressure.

A complete biogas test now takes only 6 hours, instead of the earlier 18 hours. Quick and accurate results are important for our customers. Time is money in this case too: producers need evidence concerning the quality of their gas before it can be fed into the supply line.

The third winner, András Szabó, head of the Hungarian subsidiary’s IT department, developed a new method for the electronic transfer of test results. Customers can download their test records in a safe, secure and flexible way with the help of a QR code. The combination of the QR code and the reporting system makes it possible for customers to query the current status of the test record and print it once it has been finalised. With the help of the QR code and an application it will soon be possible to check test records even with smart phones.

The jury – Dr. Erwin Weßling, Dr. László Zanathy and Jannis Drakidis – had a difficult job selecting the best ones of the many brilliant innovative ideas, because more than 1,200 employees are working at eight plants in Europe and in China on improving quality, safety as well as environmental and health protection in a sustainable way.

“We are very happy to see how these innovative ideas motivate our customers and employees and how they contribute to the company’s success” – said one of the owners of the family business, Florian Weßling, during the ceremony.

Just like in other years, the award ceremony was held this year again at the most iconic venue of the town in which the company has its local unit. And what else could be more characteristic of the town of Munich than the cellar of Augustiner, one of the most emblematic traditional local breweries.

We wish to congratulate all of WESSLING’s innovators, including András Szabó, for their outstanding scientific and professional achievements.

From WESSLING Hungary Kft., it was marketing manager Gábor Szunyogh who earned the award this year, with the idea of an interactive laboratory educational programme named Laborkaland (Laboratory Adventures) for secondary school students. A very large number of our colleagues participated in the implementation of the programme – with important marketing and CSR benefits – therefore the award was earned by practically the whole of the Hungarian subsidiary.

The winners of the innovation award were invited to the annual corporate assembly where seventy managers of the Group and the shareholder family members discussed the company’s strategies and its corporate culture.

This year’s assembly was hosted by the Ruhrland. The winners took over their innovation awards in the stadium of Borussia Dortmund (with a seating capacity of 80,000), and though the stands were empty, the atmosphere of football matches was recreated with the help of technology: the ceremony was turned into a true derby by the roaring of tens of thousands of supporters, and some blinding light effects.

The participants visited the Bochum laboratory which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and then one of the oldest and largest mines of the Ruhrland, that is, Zollverein, now a museum and a demonstration facility. The conference was also held in one of the rooms of modern complex.

In his welcoming speech the founder of the Group Dr. Erwin Wessling noted that nobody knows the whole truth, so patience and tolerance are paramount. He talked about investment projects under way within the Group, improvements in communication and profitability, as well as the importance of a new vision.

His children Diana, Julia, Anna and Florian Wessling – shareholders of the Group – talked about their awareness of their responsibility for the management of the group, a function they had taken over from their father, as well as for the new vision, communication, the company’s continuous development and its problem solving attitude.

The managers and heads of the various country subsidiaries and laboratories thoroughly discussed the new vision at the conference, which would soon be shared with all of the employees of the WESSLING Group as well.