2018 75 YEARS METROHM An unconventional story A look back at 75 years of Metrohm From the idea to the product How Metrohm develops new analysis equipment The Metrohm Foundation 36 years of security, continuity, and social commitment Dear Metrohm customers, Metrohm employees and friends of Metrohm, Being asked to write the editorial for our magazine celebrating Another factor which has shaped our success to an equal 75 years of Metrohm is something I regard as a great honor. degree is the way our development and production divisions In reviews of this nature, it’s become somewhat customary work hand in hand. We’ve always taken the view that the to focus on important people and milestones. But as both of ideal conditions for developing new measuring devices involve these will be covered in more detail in other texts, I’ve made a having development, production, and application on the same conscious decision not to talk about these aspects. site. Thanks to the continual improvement of our production processes, we’ve been able to keep our production here in In my opinion, the main factors which have made our Herisau, even during crisis years. Naturally, this is totally in line Metrohm what it is today, and which continue to shape the with the vision of our founder, who was always committed to company, are tradition, a high level of continuity, and a deep creating local workplaces. commitment to our location—values which might today be termed «sustainability». Thus, over the course of our 75-year Before you launch into reading this magazine, I’d like to say history, the company has had only three CEOs, two CFOs, a very big thank you to all our customers who have made three Heads of Development, and—up until our geographic this anniversary possible, and to all our current and former restructuring in 2015—just two Sales Managers. This fact employees around the globe who have played their part in alone shows how important con-meeting and exceeding customer expectations and wishes. tinuity has been with respect to our employees. Given that exper- tise is not just facts on paper but Above all, it’s also knowledge stored in the a high level of brain, long-term employees play Yours sincerely, Christoph Fässler a significant role in the success of continuity and CEO of the Metrohm Group any company. tradition which have made our Metrohm what it is today, and which continue to shape the company. 2 Editorial 4 12 A look back at 75 years of Metrohm How new analysis equipment is developed Contents 4 Metrohm turns 75. The unconventional story of Metrohm 12 Everything begins and ends with the customer. How Metrohm develops new analysis equipment 22 Security, continuity, and social commitment. About the Metrohm Foundation 22 Bertold Suhner’s legacy: The Metrohm Foundation Contents Anniversary | 2018 3 Totally different yet still the same Metrohm turns 75 4 Metrohm turns 75 Companionship and team spirit: The decisive human success factor 75 years ago, on April 1, 1943, Metrohm commenced oper-Bertold Suhner responded to the trust demonstrated by his ations with a handful of employees in the Swiss town of Her-employees by holding them in exceptionally high esteem: isau. Heading the team: the two friends Bertold Suhner and right from the start, he regarded them as more than mere Willi Studer. Together with their team, they planned to manu-employees. In 1968, when the company celebrated its 25th facture measuring devices for high-frequency engineering and anniversary, Suhner wrote a text which summarized how he telecommunications. viewed his team: «A single person can never take full credit for making a company successful. It is always teamwork that The two friends did not choose an easy moment in history leads to success.» to found their company; the Second World War was rag-ing, and money and materials were scarce. But the employees supported the company, and were eager to join forces and create something meaningful. Perhaps it was this test of stamina during the initial difficult years which laid the foundation stone for the later success of the company. Metrohm began working in Company founder Bertold Suhner this building in 1943. Anniversary | 2018 5 Loyalty: «Metrohmers» remain faithful—through thick and thin «Metrohmers» know they enjoy a special position—not nec-essarily to be found in every company. The exceptional level of loyalty which they demonstrate to the company is their response to the high level of esteem in which they are held. Even in times of difficulty, employees remain loyal to Metrohm. This was true right from the start, during the first difficult years after the company was founded. On the 25th anniversary of the company, Suhner looked back over the initial years. «Back then, I learned what it meant to work together with a small team of people who were all dedicated to a common cause, even if the result was uncertain.» Congratulations This bonded the team. During their free time, the employees often engaged in leisure activities together, particularly Deepa Naik sports— from table tennis and football tournaments to winter Lupin Limited sports including ski races and hikes up to the 8,200 ft high summit of Säntis, a landmark in the region, the team did everything together. And in actual fact, the skiing race which Bertold Suhner inaugurated in 1957 remains a fixture to this day. Most recently, the loyalty of the Metrohm employees was tested in the global recession of 2007 and 2008. Once again, they remained loyal to the company: despite pay cuts due to Dear Team Metrohm, short time and unpaid holidays, they continued to believe in the company and stayed put rather than looking for alterna-Greetings and heartiest congratulations on completing tive employment. 75 years. Lupin Goa has been using Metrohm instruments right from its inception in the years 2004–2005. Metrohm Instruments are known for their rugged and reliable performance. Equipped with best service and support and an outstanding sales team, this makes them the world leaders. The technical support team and training personnel are a great help in understanding the features and the functionality of the instruments. I am very happy to be working with Metrohm and wish that Metrohm will continue to move ahead on the path of excellence. 6 Metrohm turns 75 Moderation as a survival strategy When the company debts exceeded the share capital by mul-tiple times in 1947, Suhner decided to take steps to rationalize the company. Despite the difficult situation, he refused to take out further loans; the company would have to sink or swim on its own merits. As a matter of principle, Suhner refused to be dependent on banks. Willi Studer was of a different opinion— and left the company after just four years. Bertold Suhner, however, continued to believe that the company had a chance of succeeding. He took over the management of the company on his own, and shaped it according to his own vision. From the start, the company focussed on organic growth rather than quick profits. Business strategies were never aligned to peak periods; instead, the company endeavored to grow slowly but surely. «My aim was always to keep the size of the company manageable, and create a solid base rather than just growing regardless of cost,» Suhner said. Over the course of its 75-year history, this strategy is what has helped Metrohm to survive three recession periods. Company founder Bertold Suhner The Metrohm workforce in 1943 The first Metrohm workshop Anniversary | 2018 7 Innovation: The key to breakthrough— and long-term success There was little hope for Metrohm on the high frequency and competitor for Metrohm, which was new to the world of IC. telecommunications market. But the young company was Dionex, moreover, was in possession of the patent for chem-flexible enough to turn to another idea: in 1946, three years ical suppression, which facilitates more precise conductivity after the company was founded, Metrohm began working on detection. But thanks to innovation, the newcomer was able an electronic pH meter—its first step into developing precision to establish itself: Metrohm reinvented chemical suppression, measuring devices. For Metrohm, this was an escape route and launched the Metrohm Suppressor Module in 1995. In from the crisis: the new market proved to be profitable, and 1999, Metrohm constructed the first compact ion chromato-by 1953, the company had paid off all its debts. graph. This intuitive instrument not only generates powerful IC analyses despite requiring only the smallest floorspace, but In the second half of the 1950s, the company made its ulti-it is also highly user-friendly. Thanks to this innovation, the mate breakthrough. Metrohm developed the first shockproof company managed to secure second place on the IC market. combined glass electrode and the first electrically powered piston burette. To this day, all commercial titrators and li quid In the field of titration, Metrohm has been setting new global dosing systems are based on this development. In 1959, standards since the turn of the millennium with its Titrando Metrohm launched its first registering titrator, the «Potentio-and its tiamo software. In pursuit of its goal to offer customers graph». The extended product portfolio paved the way for the more than «just» the best on the market, a Titrando succes-international success of the company: by 1960, the company sor was born in 2016—although successor is hardly the right was supplying customers in 40 different countries around the word: OMNIS. With OMNIS, Metrohm began to follow a com-world. pletely new titration concept, taking a great risk in the process: Metrohm jumped off the proverbial winning horse—convinced In 1987, Metrohm began working on ion chromatography. that genuine innovation, something that really keeps pace with Here it encountered the market leader Dionex—a mighty the times, is more than just optimizing existing instruments. Rhonda Koch Dr Pepper Snapple Group Metrohm has been a technical resource to the Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) for more than a decade. Whether working with Metrohm National Accounts to develop programs that deliver value to our business or with the Field Engineering team who support the instrumenta-tion at our manufacturing sites and central lab, the atulations DPS Quality group knows we can rely on the team at Metrohm. Their demonstrated interest in our success has made them great partners. Congr 8 Metrohm turns 75 Quality along the entire value chain: The key to winning the trust of customers In 1978, Bertold Suhner stepped down from his position as CEO of Metrohm. When he retired completely from Metrohm in 1982, he founded the «Metrohm Foundation», to which he transferred ownership of the Metrohm Group. Independent from profit-hungry shareholders and the pressure they exert, this enabled Metrohm to focus on its values and high quality standards—particularly with regard to the way in which people are treated. «The best way to promote our company and our products is to ensure top quality in innovation, products, service, and the way we treat people—whether employees, suppliers, or customers,» says Adrian Déteindre, who was CEO from 1982 to 2005. The trust which Metrohm customers place in the company is founded on this special definition of quality. The Titriscope, the first Metrohm titrator (1949) Bertold Suhner with Lorenz Kuhn, co-founder of the Metrohm Foundation Anniversary | 2018 9 Humanity and solidarity: Beyond the borders of Metrohm Congratulations Metrohm’s focus on people extends beyond the day-to-day business of the company: from the start, the management Peter Walz and the workforce have had a heart for the community. For Schlötter Galvanotechnik example, in the early days of the company, employees helped by collecting donations for charitable causes. When the non-profit Metrohm Foundation was created, supporting cultural and community projects became a fixture in the company: as sole shareholder of the Metrohm Group, the Metrohm Foundation is able to invest dividends in community projects. The choice of projects supported by the Foundation reflects the strong roots of the company in Eastern Swit-Congratulations from Schlötter! zerland. Today, the Foundation is one of the most important Long before my time as a group leader in service analyt-funding institutions for educational, cultural, and community ics, Metrohm devices were already being used for titra-projects. Amongst other things, its funds a chair for «New tion in our company in the 1970s. Both the devices at Materials» at Zurich University for Applied Sciences, and also the time and the current devices are characterized, in supports the Association of Swiss Science Olympiads. particular, by their flexibility, ease of use, and longevity. Due to the local proximity to the Filderstadt site and the However, the company is also aware of areas of need out-personal contact to the employees of the field service side of the region and donated generously after the tsunami and in the application laboratories, perfect support for of December 2004, which claimed more than 10,000 lives in equipment maintenance and the development of new India and laid waste to large areas of land. Amongst other analysis methods for our galvanic procedures is always things, the money was used to build 146 sturdy concrete provided. The supply of spare parts and consumables, houses in a fishing village on the east coast of India, each which are usually on my desk within 24 hours after the with its own electricity and water supply, as well as a large order is placed, is absolutely outstanding. community hall. The fishermen were also provided with new motorized fiberglass boats, equipped with nets, rods, and life There’s only one thing left for me to say: Keep it up and jackets. Happy Birthday, Metrohm! 10 Environmentalism: In line with Metrohm today: Traditional Bertold Suhner’s values values and modernity From the start, Metrohm has regarded environmental pro-Over the last 75 years, Metrohm—the Herisau-based manu-tection as a natural part of its obligation to society. In 1989, facturer of high frequency and telecommunications technol-the company was one of the founding members of the Swiss ogy with just a handful of employees—has metamorphosed Association for Ecological Company Management. This was into an international manufacturer of precision analysis instru-completely in line with the values held by Bertold Suhner: ments. Although the transformation has been immense, after stepping down as CEO of Metrohm, Suhner dedicated founder Bertold Suhner’s special corporate culture, shaped his energies to the protection of the environment. by his strong focus on values, has always remained intact. Goodwill and solidarity, both internally and externally, prudent In 2011, the company moved into its new headquarters in the business dealings and safeguarding the company’s financial industrial area of Herisau. The new premises offered sufficient independence, a strong focus on innovation, and the impor-space for the 450 employees at the Herisau site—the sales, tance of quality products and services are values which have marketing, development, and production divisions of the outlived Bertold Suhner. Metrohm Group are currently all located here. The new premises are extremely energy efficient. In 2016, a photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of the headquarters. Spread over a surface area of 11,867 square feet, the solar panels generate sufficient power to cover a quarter of the company’s electricity requirements. The remaining 75% is also procured from renewable sources and is CO neutral. 2 Luciana Pavan Colgate Brazil— Global Technology Center Metrohm, Happy anniversary … I want to congratulate you warmly!!! It is a pleasure to do business with you, thank you for all the work and good relationship during the past years. Your staff has always demonstrated highly professional behavior and expertise to help us find the best solutions for our business. A pleasant relationship with a company such as Metrohm is one of the things that makes our business so enjoyable and easy. atulations We look forward to many more years together. I wish you every success as you continue to grow. Congr Anniversary | 2018 11 How Metrohm develops new analysis equipment Everything begins and ends with the customer Before a new piece of Metrohm Metrohm field service: Keeping pace with equipment arrives in your laboratory, customer requirements it has to complete a long journey. The goal of all developments is to offer customers more analytical options and overcome the challenges of everyday life in Many people from all departments at laboratories. By focussing exclusively on direct sales, Metrohm Metrohm are involved, not only at the field reps are able to forge close contacts with customers, frequently resulting in long-term partnerships. Marc Candreia, development and production site in sales rep for Metrohm Switzerland, explains how these are Herisau, but also in the subsidiaries formed: «I regularly ask my customers whether everything around the world. is running smoothly in their analyses, and where I can be of assistance. As a result, they know they can turn to me for help whenever they need to.» Staff in sales and service know the challenges their customers face in day to day work in laboratories. 12 New analysis equipment How Metrohm develops new analysis equipment Marc regards Metrohm’s customer support and service as one of the company’s major strengths. And it’s the direct sales policy which makes it possible. «Metrohm customers have a contact person who they know personally and who is always responsible for their concerns. They don’t get forwarded from pillar to post and wait days or even weeks—as is often the case with manufacturers who sell their products via retailers. I’m always contactable for my customers. In an emergency, I can bring the customer a replacement product the same day Marc Candreia and solve the problem in question.» Thanks to the fact that Sales representative for Metrohm he is able to liaise closely with his customers, Marc also hears Switzerland about problems in the laboratories which call for new or better instruments. Anniversary | 2018 13 David Witmer Product manager for spectroscopy and process analytics at Metrohm Switzerland Congratulations The mainstay of product innovations: Product management Professor Andreas Seubert, Sales staff work hand in hand with local product managers PhD from the respective country subsidiaries. One of these is David Marburg University Witmer, product manager for spectroscopy and process analytics at Metrohm Switzerland. With his technological expertise, David supports sales advisors for Metrohm Switzerland— by demonstrating products and conducting feasibility studies, for example. He is also responsible for implementing strategies from the parent company on the Swiss market. «My work involves liaising closely with product managers in other countries. We regularly discuss ideas and experiences. I also liaise While I was studying chemistry in the 1980s, my later particularly closely with the Competence Centers for spectros-PhD supervisor Gerold Wünsch treated himself to a huge copy and process analytics,» David explains. box full of Metrohm titrators, electrodes, and other wet-chemical equipment when he was appointed to a Thanks to close contact with customers and sales staff on the chair in Hannover. He said, «Metrohm—that’s quality one hand, and close contact with the competence centers equipment, it lasts a lifetime, even in a university.» on the other, David plays a key role when it comes to form-ing new ideas for development. «Often, customers want new We also use numerous Metrohm IC systems, titrators, product features. I pass these requests on to the central prod-and voltammetry devices, and are always stunned by the uct management in the Competence Centers. For example, a high quality and durability of the equipment. major Swiss pharmaceutical customer wanted an attachment for the Mira Raman spectrometer so that they could analyze But I’ve also enjoyed a long-standing and most fruitful tablets. Within three or four months, we had a tablet holder collaboration with Metrohm in the field of separation ready.» column development; numerous Metrohm customers have been able to test the results of this collaboration. I’d like to say a very big thank you to the Swiss and German Metrohm teams for the many years of successful teamwork which have blossomed into long-standing friendships and enriched my life. I’d like to wish Metrohm all the best for the next 75 years! 14 New analysis equipment Heike Risse is product manager for Automation in the Competence Center Titration at Metrohm International Headquarters in Herisau. «With regard to new developments, my task is to evaluate the market to find out how our instruments score and where new developments are possible,» Heike explains. «To this end, I am in constant contact with our subsidiaries, who provide direct feedback from our customers. I conduct surveys to actively collect information regarding customer wishes. Naturally, product managers from the various subsidiaries are also able to contact me at any time with ideas or problems concerning automation products.» In Heike’s experience, customer requests for new product features differ widely: Chinese customers want very different features to those requested by German and American customers. As product manager, she has to decide which features automation in titration should offer, and thus help as many customers as possible to master their daily analysis challenges. «Naturally, we have to set priorities. Particularly in the field of automation, speed and sample throughput are at the top of the list,» Heike says. «But developments which concern the safety of the user take top priority. With regard to all other developments, we confer with our subsidiaries to find out how important the desired feature is for the customer, and how many users would benefit.» Heike Risse Product manager for Automation in the Competence Center Titration Anniversary | 2018 15 Ideas are frequently born out of dialog with the customer or with our sales representatives, who are in close contact with the customers and hence understand their problems. Dieter Strohm CTO of the Metrohm Group Innovation is more than just meeting market In the quest for new ideas, Dieter also takes a look at other needs industries—the automotive and telecommunication indus-Gaining an awareness of customer problems is an important tries, for example. For this purpose, he attends trade fairs; part of product development. But it’s not sufficient when it sometimes, however, ideas come to him in everyday life. The comes to creating products which really keep pace with the idea for the Touch Control panel, for example, which allows times. As a high-end manufacturer, Metrohm has set itself the users to operate the Titrando via a touchscreen, came to task of predicting and solving tomorrow’s problems. For this Dieter when he went to buy a sewing machine with his wife. reason, Metrohm distinguishes between «evolutionary devel-They found a model with a very similar system. Dieter immedi-opment»—which basically means perfecting existing prod-ately bought a sewing machine for the Metrohm R&D depart-ucts—and «innovative development». An «innovation» refers ment so that they could investigate the technology involved. solely to a feature which has never before been offered by «It wasn’t long before Adrian Déteindre, who was managing Metrohm or any other company working in the field of chem-director at the time, rang me up to ask whether I’d gone mad, ical analysis. buying a sewing machine for the R&D department!» Dieter Strohm is CTO of the Metrohm Group. As such, he Innovations can only flourish in the right conditions. «You have is responsible for innovation projects in the company. Since to accept that mistakes will be made, and you have to be will-January 1, 2018, he’s also been setting up a new innova-ing to take certain risks,» Dieter says. «Some pessimists claim tion and technology management structure to create better that nine out of ten innovation projects are doomed to failure. preconditions for innovations. Teamwork, he says, is one of And it’s true that some innovation projects fail, and all the the basic preconditions for innovation: «Ideas are frequently money invested is lost. That’s part of the game. The important born out of dialog with the customer or with our sales repre-thing is knowing that the management still has your back.» sentatives, who are in close contact with the customers and hence understand their problems.» An innovation created by a lone person—the sudden proverbial flash of inspiration—is not how it actually works in practice. One good example is the Liquid Adapter in the OMNIS system, which makes safe reagent exchange possible. «During the Pittcon, we were sit-ting together one evening drinking beer. The group consisted of colleagues from different companies, including Sigma-Al-drich, with whom we developed the adapter. That was the hour in which the Liquid Adapter was born.» 16 New analysis equipment Michael Edelmann Titration project manager in the R&D department Interdisciplinary teamwork One distinguishing feature of Metrohm’s R&D department is in research and development the fact that it boasts its own chemistry department. Michael Michael Edelmann, titration project manager in Metrohm’s regards this as particularly important in the development of Development Division, agrees. «Here at Metrohm we’re user-friendly products. «The developers virtually have the given the freedom we need to work on innovations.» This is customers in the building. The staff in the chemistry depart-Metrohm’s bread and butter—because the high wage costs ment—most of them are laboratory technicians—work with resulting from development in Switzerland also impact the the new equipment just like future customers. As a result, the prices of the analysis equipment. «Costs in Switzerland are developers quickly become aware of needs and problems in high, but we have lots of highly qualified professionals. This everyday use with the equipment, and can respond to these enables us to maintain a cutting edge over our competitors,» needs as they continue to develop the product.» Michael explains. Amongst the company’s most important capital are the long-standing employees who, over the years, have amassed a wealth of experience in the field of research Congratulations and development at Metrohm. «Experienced employees know the products inside out. They know their strengths and weak-Professor Rajiv Prakash nesses, and they know the market. They’re excellent at decid-Indian Institute of ing which ideas are worth following.» Technology Varanasi Metrohm employs around 150 people in its R&D department. The various departments deploy engineers and chemists, designers, electronics technicians, software developers, editors, and lab technicians. An interdisciplinary project team is formed for each R&D project, «borrowing» the employees it needs from the respective departments. «At any given time, employees are assigned to one single project team. They stay My best wishes: I congratulate Metrohm on 75 success-with the project from start to finish. This enables them to ful years. Having used Metrohm trace analysis for the focus on a single goal,» Michael explains. last 20 years and later a PGSTAT and an ion chromatograph, I can say with confidence that the key to success is the dedication of Metrohm team members and their commitment to service. These alone have made it possible to develop excellent technology with robust instrumentation and strong bonds with users. Anniversary | 2018 17 Fredy Bleiker Head of the Design Transfer Department The interface between development This process begins while the development process is still in and production full swing. In each R&D project, an employee from the Design Before a new product can progress to serial production, the Transfer department ensures that production and logistics manufacturing steps have to designed as efficiently as possi-concerns are taken into consideration. They advise the devel-ble. This is where the Design Transfer department comes into opers with regard to production and assembly processes, and play. Fredy Bleiker is head of this department. «We coordinate coordinate the drafting of all necessary concepts in prepara-the production concept,» he explains. «Liaising closely with tion for manufacture. This ensures that the new product can the various production departments, we transfer new devel-be manufactured as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. opments into the supply chain—from the choice of suppliers «These employees are generalists. Besides a degree in engi-for the individual components through to delivery to the end neering, they have experience in project management, and customer.» they understand production processes. As a result, they are able to perform this important hinge function in an expert manner,» Fredy says. Robert M. Pierceall The «Design Transfer Mechanics» and «Design Transfer Elec-Archer Daniels Midland tronics» teams also play key roles. The «Design Transfer Company Mechanics» team creates functional models and prototypes, thus providing the constructors with feedback at an early stage so that they can optimize parts when it later comes to serial production. The team is also involved in building workplaces and providing resources for assembling the finished product. Workplaces are designed for each product so that assembly can be optimized—also with regard to ergonom-ics. The «Design Transfer Electronics» team develops tests for We have Metrohm instruments in our laboratories electronic switches and modules, as well as for the finished across the globe. When I think of Metrohm, I think of product. It’s also responsible for creating the necessary testing Class. Accuracy and precision are First-Class. Customer/ equipment and software. R&D and Design Transfer work hand atulations Field service is Best-in-Class. Quality, ruggedness and in hand to ensure continual feedback and optimization. Once reliability are World-Class. Congratulations on 75 well-this iterative process has been completed, serial production done years Metrohm! can begin. Congr 18 New analysis equipment We have full control over the quality of our products. Herbert Müller Head of Production Congratulations Serial production begins To this day, our analysis equipment is manufactured at our Sabrina Fernanda headquarters in Herisau. Around 100 employees are respon-Thais Alves sible for producing Metrohm devices. According to Herbert Petronas Lubrificantes Brasil S.A. Müller, head of production, manufacturing on site has numerous advantages: «We have full control over the quality of our products.» On-site production also makes Metrohm more flexible. It enables swifter responses—if batch quantities change, or alterations need to be made to the products themselves. «When products need to be altered, communication with the R&D division plays a key role,» explains Herbert. «Which, of course, is considerably easier thanks to the spatial vicinity. The It is with great pleasure that I talk about the partnership same is true when it comes to introducing new products.» that we have with Metrohm. The success of our partnership lies in the interaction we have together. When a new product is due to be introduced, the employees who will later be working in assembly are involved in the Metrohm indisputably offers quality equipment, but the proceedings at an early stage. As a result, they can discuss great difference to competitor that we see is the quality processes and assembly with the Design Transfer department, of the technical staff. Together, we have been able to and at the same time familiarize themselves with the assembly solve the problems encountered in our day-to-day life procedure for the new product. Each employee in the Assem-and develop the necessary methodologies. In addition, bly department is responsible for just one product group—for we’ve received accurate support during the evaluation example, titration or ion chromatography. This enables them of investments in new technologies. This way we can to develop expertise in the respective field. optimize time and costs in the laboratory. Therefore, we hope that this partnership will be maintained so that we both can achieve our goals. Anniversary | 2018 19 Lucia Meier Application chemist in the Competence Center Titration A product is not a solution Dr. Shaikh M. Mobin There at last! Metrohm finally has a new product which can Indian Institute of enter serial production. But the product alone is not suffi-Technology Indore cient to solve the customer’s analytical task. It needs to be coupled with the respective application—the «recipe», so to speak, which is used in conjunction with the new equipment in order to conduct the analysis. Applications are created in Metrohm’s application laboratories—in the headquarters and in the subsidiaries around the globe. Metrohm offers around 2,000 applications in the form of Application Notes and Bul-letins, which customers can access freely. But the number I congratulate Metrohm for successful 75 years. Hav-of applications which have been designed and documented ing used the Autolab PGSTAT 204 for the last 5 years, internally is much higher. I appreciate the service provided by the Metrohm team members. I found this mini electrochemical worksta-Lucia Meier is an application chemist in the Competence tion to be extremely robust and useful in our research. Center Titration, where she is responsible for applica-atulations The results from this system can be witnessed in some tion management. «Here in the headquarters, we gener-high-profile journals. I wish the Metrohm team many ally design applications on our own initiative. For example, more years of success in this field. we cater to new norms, or improve existing applications to achieve better detection limits or replace toxic reagents Keep it up. with harmless ones.» The subsidiaries across the globe take a Congr different approach. «In general, the subsidiaries work on customer requirements. If they don’t have the necessary infra-structure or experience, we offer support.» When Lucia starts working on an application, her first job is to research the respective literature. «I try to find out whether a similar analysis has ever been done before,» she explains. After a few practical considerations on the sample matrix and the reagents, she inches her way towards the optimum analysis. The challenges she encounters on her way range from interfering ions in the matrix to achieving the desired detection limit to transferring the application to real samples. «I couldn’t complete the task without support from colleagues in the Competence Center and around the world,» Lucia says, «Particularly when it comes to complex applications.» 20 New analysis equipment Dieter Bossmann Bernd Kraft I’ve been working with Metrohm in titration and ion Coming full circle with the customer chromatography for more than 20 years. I love the stur-The new analysis instrument has made it into the warehouse diness and user-friendly nature of the systems. But it’s at the headquarters in Herisau. Field reps are now trained on not just the durability of the equipment which we love the instrument by the Metrohm Academy so that they can about Metrohm—it’s also the excellent customer sup-deliver the final product to the customer. Always aware of port. Local reps and staff in the headquarters' applica-customer needs, the field reps know which customers will atulations tion laboratories are always able to answer our ques- benefit from the new features and can demonstrate the new tions swiftly and professionally. That’s just how a close instrument to the respective target group. As competent sales working relationship with our suppliers should be! I wish consultants, they can help their customers choose the right Metrohm every success for the future. model and offer support throughout the entire lifecycle of the equipment. Congr Anniversary | 2018 21 Security, continuity, and social commitment 22 Knowledge The Metrohm Foundation Security, continuity, and social commitment The Metrohm Foundation When the founder of Metrohm, Bertold Suhner, set up the Metrohm Foundation together with his business partners Lorenz Kuhn and Hans Winzeler, his primary goal was to ensure that the company in which he had invested so much of his time, passion, and energy remained financially independent. But taking this step achieved a whole lot more; today, the Metrohm Foundation is one of the foremost non-profit organizations in all Eastern Switzerland. How can independence be maintained? When Bertold Suhner stepped down as CEO of Metrohm in 1982, he was loathe to leave his company to the whims of the free economy. Instead, he wanted to ensure that the company continued to exist in line with his vision; Metrohm was to remain an Appenzell-based company, and never lose its innovative spirit by merging or being sold off to a large corporation. As Suhner had no children, he needed to find another way to safeguard the future of the company. After considering various options, he finally came down in favor of an unconventional solution: Metrohm was to become the property of a non-profit foundation, set up especially for the purpose. Rather than being ruled by shareholders, the company would now be governed by the statutes of the Foundation. So before Suhner finally handed over the management of the company to his successor Adrian Déteindre, he established the Metrohm Foundation. In doing so, he achieved two of his most important goals: to this day, the Foundation safeguards Metrohm’s independence; and to this day, it benefits Bertold Suhner’s home—Eastern Switzerland and the Appenzell region. Knowledge Anniversary | 2018 23 A gift to the Foundation When electing members for the board, great importance is At the time the Foundation was set up, the Metrohm Group attached to a close relationship with Metrohm or the econ-had three shareholders: Bertold Suhner himself, and his busi-omy in Eastern Switzerland. Willy Hartmann for example, who ness partners Hans Winzeler and Lorenz Kuhn. Years previ-has been President of the foundation board since the year ously, Suhner had come to an agreement with the other two 2000, was a self-employed entrepreneur in Eastern Switzer-that they would hand over their shares without payment as land and served for five years on the administrative board of soon as a solution was found for the succession. the Metrohm Group before being appointed to his current position. In the summer of 2018, he will be making way for This solution was finally found in the Foundation. Suhner, his successor, Bruno Winterhalter, who is currently CFO of the Winzeler, and Kuhn handed over their shares in the Metrohm Metrohm Group. Group to the Metrohm Foundation. As a result, the company became the property of the Foundation, and the foundation A contribution to society board became the representative of the shareholder base. In As shareholder of the Metrohm Group, the Metrohm Foun-this function, the foundation board has the same rights and dation receives dividends. It invests these dividends in non-obligations as shareholders, in accordance with the Swiss profit work. The primary goal of the Foundation is to pro-Code of Obligations. The foundation board also performs mote the economy and education in the Appenzell region, its duties in accordance with the foundation deed. Primar-with a strong focus on sciences and modern technology. The ily, this concerns handling incoming requests for funding and Metrohm Foundation is also committed to community proj-implementing projects approved by the foundation board. ects in the Appenzell region and surrounding area. In certain The board does not influence the operative or strategic deci-cases, it also funds cultural projects and youth organizations in sions of the Metrohm Group. In this sense, there is a clear and the region. The restriction of the Foundation’s work to Eastern legally regulated division between the Foundation and the Switzerland reflects Bertold Suhner’s love for his homeland. Metrohm Group. For example, it would be virtually impossible for the Foundation to sell Metrohm. Professor Dirk Flottmann, PhD Aalen University As dean of the Chemistry Department at Aalen University, I’d like to thank Metrohm for their unparalleled support over a number of decades! Thanks to swift and efficient telephone support, we’re always able to solve practical problems quickly. The staff in customer support at Metrohm are right there in the laboratories with the equipment, which is extremely useful. When training staff, 70–80% of the sessions are spent working on the equipment in the laboratories; the theory part is almost incidental. We really appreciate this! Thanks to the modular design of the instruments, many of the parts are interchangeable and it’s also relatively easy to combine instruments. Numerous bachelor and mas-atulations ter theses have been written, where our students benefited greatly from this. I’d like to wish Metrohm in Herisau and Filderstadt a very happy birthday. Many thanks for the great support—and I look forward to working together in the future! Congr 24 The Metrohm Foundation Congratulations One major educational project was the introduction of IT les-sons in Trogen high school in Suhner’s home canton of Appen-Wedson Barros Andrade zell Ausserrhoden. Over a number of years, the school received ALS Global a total of 3.6 million Swiss Francs. The money was used to buy computers with internet access, to train staff, and to appoint two project managers. For around ten years, the Foundation has been running an extensive project named «Promoting Science for Interested and Gifted Students», based on the con-viction that Switzerland urgently needs qualified scientists of all levels in the up and coming generation if the economy is to prosper. Here, the Foundation collaborates with universities, the Swiss Foundation «Jugend forscht» («Youth Researches») Metrohm is an ALS partner company that offers state-and other educational institutions. Since 2014, the Metrohm of-the-art equipment, providing us with greater accu-Foundation has been funding a chair for «New Materials» at racy and precision in the chemical analyses that we offer Zurich University for Applied Sciences. to environmental and food markets in Brazil. The partnership with Metrohm has always kept us updated with In honor of its founder, the Metrohm Foundation also sup-the most modern and accurate analyses, which we use ports various community projects. For example, it has repeat-in our laboratories, and the constant updating allows us edly helped to fund major investments in retirement homes to be pioneers in different technologies. The technical and homes for the disabled. and commercial assistance offered by Metrohm maintains the company as a leading partner for ALS. It also funds meaningful pursuits for young people, such as football clubs or music societies—clubs, in other words, which help keep teenagers off the streets. However, Willy Hartmann, President of the foundation board, emphasizes that the Metrohm Foundation is not a cultural foundation; even in such projects, the focus is more on the community aspect. «For example, we don’t buy uniforms for music societies; but we do buy instruments.» Safety and continuity for employees Most of the profits remain in the company, where they can be As one of the largest non-profit organizations in Eastern Swit-used to fund further developments. This enables Metrohm to zerland, the Metrohm Foundation makes a major contribution remain true to Bertold Suhner's principle of funding all invest-to society with its projects. But the Foundation also plays an ments without external loans. important role for Metrohm employees, albeit in the back-ground: the stability of the ownership offers security and con-In the long term, both the Metrohm Group and the Metrohm tinuity. «This doesn’t mean our employees can just lie back Foundation benefit from this approach. «Thanks to the stabil-and do nothing—at the end of the day, Metrohm is still a ity of the ownership, we don’t have to accept second best for joint stock company which aims to make a profit,» says Bruno the company’s future,» Bruno Winterhalter says. «Metrohm’s Winterhalter, CFO of the Metrohm Group, who is soon to take success has made us a role model for others. Various compa-over as President of the foundation board. nies in the region have modeled themselves on the idea and now set up their own foundations.» However, Metrohm is under no pressure to achieve quick profits. Instead, it can focus completely on long-term success— unlike companies which are subject to the fluctuations of the stock market. Furthermore, when it comes to dividends, the Foundation is an undemanding shareholder. Anniversary | 2018 25 DOCTORATE AT 74 After stepping down as CEO of Metrohm, Bertold Suhner began 74 to study mineralogy. At the age of 74, he completed his doctoral thesis on infrared spectroscopy in mineralogy. FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT 1 150 employees— a third of the workforce in Herisau— work in R&D. 50 THE NO. 1 FROM METROHM Metrohm’s top-selling instrument is the liquid-handling multi-talent 800 VOCATIONAL Dosino. TRAINING 10% of the employees in Herisau are SKI RACE trainees. For more than 60 years, employees at Metrohm have been racing each other down the slopes. In the early years, Bertold Suhner —the founder of the company—frequently won the skiing races. 26 A PASSION FOR TINKERING 300 In the early days, Metrohm employees enjoyed puzzling over electronic projects in their free time. In 1967, guidelines were introduced to regulate working in free EIFFEL TOWER time, as orders for material and machine running costs were leading to considerable 300 meters up expense for Metrohm. in the air, on the uppermost platform of the Eifel tower, a Metrohm instrument was installed at the end of the 1960s to analyze the quality of the air. 120 METROHM AROUND THE METROHM WORLDWIDE Metrohm products, support, and service are now available in 120 countries around the globe. Metrohm subsidiaries are based in 45 countries. METROHM INSTRUMENTS ARE FILM STARS Metrohm instruments were used in the high-tech labs of blockbusters such as «Avatar» and «I Am Legend» as well as in forensics series such as «CSI» and «Bones». Anniversary | 2018 27 CELEBRATE WITH US! Bertold Suhner was a scientist, a sportsman, a painter, a pilot, a philanthropist—and the founder of Metrohm. We owe him a great appes company, and we are proud to serve the world with our legendary SW Swiss made instruments and application know-how—then and now. tephanie K erbeagentur A Find out more about Bertold Suhner and follow our anniversary blog: blog.metrohm.com teinke; editor: S ohm International Headquarters Imprint Published by: Metr Responsible: Markus S Layout: Ecknauer + Schoch, W