Endress+Hauser Boosts R+D Spending in 2023 by 10%, Adds Patents, Patent Applications in All Product Sectors
July 10, 2024
There is no slackening the pace of innovation at Endress+Hauser. Last year, the global measurement and automation technology firm launched 20 new products and introduced over 1,100 new device options. Customers also benefitted from new tools and improved processes.
The family-owned company also filed 257 patent applications for new inventions and 723 new patents were granted. Its property rights portfolio now comprises around 8,900 patents and patent applications that protect the intellectual property behind its products, solutions and services.
Endress+Hauser spent over EUR 267 million (almost CAD $400 million) on research and development –equivalent to 7.2% of 2023 turnover, or 10.4% more than year before. More than 1,300 employees are working on developing new products, solutions and services. In addition, process improvements in production, logistics, IT and administration play a decisive role in the company’s success.
“An important factor in the success of our innovations last year was that many teams of inventors were made up of employees from different divisions and locations,” says Dr Christine Koslowski, director of intellectual property rights. “The fact that more and more innovations are emerging across company boundaries is also evident in the prizes for process improvements and for the transfer of already developed solutions to corresponding applications in other areas.”
Recently, the brains behind these commercially significant inventions were honored at
Endress+Hauser’s annual Innovators’ Meeting at headquarters in Switzerland. Over 400 inventors were celebrated at the event. The teams were honored for developments such as new methods for simpler and safer operation of devices, a function for detecting foam formation in tanks, improved signal generation for ultrasonic flow measurement in gases and new, even more comprehensive diagnostic functions using Endress+Hauser Heartbeat Technology.
“We are driving innovation in all areas of our company,” says Dr Andreas Mayr, chief operating officer. The patent applications cover all product areas. As measurement technology advances, the importance of software-based solutions and services as well as firmware, connectivity and device integration is growing. Cloud applications and artificial intelligence are also increasingly being used. Another key focus is the analysis and measurement of material properties.
About Endress+Hauser
Endress+Hauser is a global leader in measurement instrumentation, services and solutions for industrial process engineering. Our products – sensors, instruments, systems and services for level, flow, pressure and temperature measurement as well as analytics and data acquisition – set standards in quality and technology. The company further supports its customers with automation engineering, logistics and IT services and solutions.
Founded in 1953 by Georg H Endress and Ludwig Hauser, the Endress+Hauser Group has been solely owned by the Endress family since 1975. Today, the Group is managed and coordinated by a holding company based in Reinach, Switzerland, employing over 16,532 personnel across the globe. In 2023, the Group generated net sales of 3.719 euros (C$5.48 billion). Endress+Hauser’s production centres in 12 countries meet customers’ needs and requirements quickly and effectively, while its dedicated sales centres and strong partner network guarantee competent worldwide support.
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