How do the best solutions come to be? The answer at Klingspor is: Jointly. With the Innovation Contest 2024, the company has set into motion a process that taps into the innovative strength of their employees with the intention to elevate products and processes to a new level. The contestants handed in more than 197 ideas in just four weeks: from new products to optimized processes to innovative ways in which specialist dealers and industrial end users can communicate directly with Klingspor.
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Together for success
Not only has the innovation contest produced new products and processes, but it has also sparked and bolstered a new level of cross-departmental cooperation. The eleven judges on the jury, consisting of employees from various departments and levels, endorsed the exchange and laid the groundwork for mutual understanding. “It almost felt like a multi-week team building event,” declares Rack with a smile. For Klingspor partners, this means: Even better cooperation, greater efficiency and a clear focus on quality.
Every idea is taken seriously
While the victorious ideas are undoubtedly a highlight, the other 194 proposals will not disappear in some drawer, either. Each submitted idea was given a review, and many are already being implemented. As the contestants who shared their ideas can actively accompany their realization, innovation remains a living process.
Shaping the future globally
The success of the contest in Haiger inspires: An innovation competition that is following the same model is already underway in Poland, and other Klingspor locations are ready in the starting blocks to launch their own contests as well. The goal is to integrate innovation into the global Klingspor family as an ongoing process – for even better products, processes, and solutions that advance the industry.
Our winners: Role models for innovation
The winning ideas were selected by a jury in a multi-stage process. Aside from receiving a trophy and a cash prize, the winners were also given the assurance that their ideas would be implemented with the necessary resources. Because at Klingspor: Every good idea counts – and makes a difference.
Ideas that move the specialist trade and the industry
Particularly exciting for Klingspor partners in the specialist trade and industrial end consumers is the so-called “customer request box”, one of the three award-winning ideas. Submitted by an employee from the R&D department, it provides a new, direct line between customers and Klingspor. “The feedback from our users is indispensable to us. They provide impetus that we can directly incorporate into the development of new abrasive solutions,” states Rack. This innovation is just one example of the company's claim to be even closer to the needs of its customers.
Jonas Ferring came up with the idea of a “customer request box”
Products that manage to convince
Forward-looking ideas were also recognized with an award in the “Products” category. After reviewing 63 proposals, the jury gave the nod to an idea submitted by a laboratory employee. The employee's suggested further development of abrasives by novel agglomerates not only holds the promise of enhanced service life, but could also be patented. “This proposal is a testament to the profound expertise of our employees and how this expertise shapes the product of tomorrow,” explains Rack. “A total of eleven other submissions have been established as potential candidates for patent protection!” A win for Klingspor and their partners.
The idea handed in by Leon Schindler concerns the enhancement of abrasives with novel agglomerates
Klingspor also relies on innovation for their internal processes. Most ideas were submitted in the “Internal Processes” category. The proposal that won the jury members over in this category suggested offering product training for employees working in production. “Those who understand our products better can lastingly enhance the quality in production,” emphasizes Robert Rack. This idea proves that the innovation contest also lays the groundwork for improvements that will benefit all customers.
Christina Daniilidis won with her proposal for a new product training concept
The innovation contest is a testament to the profound expertise of our employees and how this expertise shapes the product of tomorrow. We have identified a total of eleven proposals that have the potential for further development into patentable solutions!
Robert Rack Managing Director and project manager of the innovation contest
At the kick-off event, employees were given answers to their questions
The jury members came from all departments of the company
The attendants of the kick-off event were treated to a broad selection of delicacies
At the kick-off event, employees were given answers to their questions
The jury members came from all departments of the company
The attendants of the kick-off event were treated to a broad selection of delicacies
At the kick-off event, employees were given answers to their questions
Jonas Ferring came up with the idea of a “customer request box”
The idea handed in by Leon Schindler concerns the enhancement of abrasives with novel agglomerates
Christina Daniilidis won with her proposal for a new product training concept
