Oemeta Chemische Werke GmbH from Uetersen has made it into the TOP 100 in the innovation competition’s 26th edition. The company was honoured for its achievement by the mentor of the competition, Ranga Yogeshwar, the scientific head of the assessment, Professor Nikolaus Franke, and compamedia at Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt, on 28 June. Based on a scientific classification system, TOP 100 rates the innovation management of SMEs and the successful innovations that have resulted from this. The company, with 220 employees worldwide, made a big impression in the independent selection process, especially in the category ‘innovative processes and organisation’.
At its headquarters in Germany, Oemeta’s 130 employees produce water-miscible metal working fluids, cutting and grinding oils and various other lubricants that are used in machining production in major industries, such as the auto and aerospace industries. Wherever friction occurs, or where drilling, grinding or milling takes place, metal working fluid is required to dissipate the heat. The TOP 100 company, which has been working to optimise these products for over 100 years, is focused on incremental innovations or gradual development. ‘Step by step, we collect, order and check which potential ideas for new metal working fluids could arrive on the market,’ explains CEO Thomas Vester.
Since 2008, the top innovator has been getting new ideas off the ground on the basis of a technology road map. The Schleswig-Holstein-based company has regular exchanges with raw material manufacturers and universities about new materials and techniques – especially regarding metal working fluids made from non-toxic chemicals. This recently resulted in a completely biocide-free cooling lubricant, which protects both the user and the environment. As Oemeta generates 70 per cent of its turnover abroad, the varying regulations force the team to constantly rethink: ‘We are always having to adjust and optimise our formulations.’
TOP 100: the competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 seal for innovative capability and above-average innovative success at SMEs. Professor Nikolaus Franke has been the scientific lead since 2002. Franke is the founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. The science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar is the mentor for the TOP 100. The project partners are the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung and the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW). manager magazin, impulse and W&V accompany the company comparison as media partners. More information at www.top100.de.
At its headquarters in Germany, Oemeta’s 130 employees produce water-miscible metal working fluids, cutting and grinding oils and various other lubricants that are used in machining production in major industries, such as the auto and aerospace industries. Wherever friction occurs, or where drilling, grinding or milling takes place, metal working fluid is required to dissipate the heat. The TOP 100 company, which has been working to optimise these products for over 100 years, is focused on incremental innovations or gradual development. ‘Step by step, we collect, order and check which potential ideas for new metal working fluids could arrive on the market,’ explains CEO Thomas Vester.
Since 2008, the top innovator has been getting new ideas off the ground on the basis of a technology road map. The Schleswig-Holstein-based company has regular exchanges with raw material manufacturers and universities about new materials and techniques – especially regarding metal working fluids made from non-toxic chemicals. This recently resulted in a completely biocide-free cooling lubricant, which protects both the user and the environment. As Oemeta generates 70 per cent of its turnover abroad, the varying regulations force the team to constantly rethink: ‘We are always having to adjust and optimise our formulations.’
TOP 100: the competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 seal for innovative capability and above-average innovative success at SMEs. Professor Nikolaus Franke has been the scientific lead since 2002. Franke is the founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. The science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar is the mentor for the TOP 100. The project partners are the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung and the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW). manager magazin, impulse and W&V accompany the company comparison as media partners. More information at www.top100.de.
