Endress+Hauser Strengthens The Protection Of Intellectual Property With A Special Program
Innovative products are essential to the success of a technology company. That’s why the Endress+Hauser Group has been paying special attention to the protection of intellectual property for two decades now.
The most recent figures confirm the success of this initiative: 318 initial applications in 2019 and a portfolio of more than 8,000 patents and patent applications worldwide mark new highs.
Innovative spirit: More than 1,100 people worldwide work in research and development at Endress+Hauser – like here in Greenwood, Indiana, USA Digital change: At Endress+Hauser a growing number of patents concern developments for the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0.
For 20 years now, a separate department at Endress+Hauser has been dealing exclusively with the protection of intellectual property. In 1999, the company merged and realigned all activities in this field.
Today, 30 employees – 26 in Weil am Rhein, Germany, four in Greenwood, Indiana, USA – take care of patent issues, trademark protection and related contracts. The Patent Rights Incentive Program was launched at the same time. It encourages the Group’s employees to submit invention disclosures.
“If we want to protect ourselves from unauthorised imitators, we need to be aware of all relevant developments,” says Angelika Andres. The physicist and patent attorney has headed the Group’s IPR department since 1999.
Her team determines whether the submitted inventions are worthy and eligible for protection. This applies in four out of five cases. The specialists then draft a patent application that grants comprehensive protection for the invention.
Corporate Director of IPR Angelika Andres heads the patent department of the Endress+Hauser Group Chief Operating Officer Dr Andreas Mayr is responsible for innovation in the Endress+Hauser Group
Success can be measured in numbers
In 1999, Endress+Hauser submitted 55 initial patent applications – in 2019 there were an impressive 318. “We took a leap forward in the first year after the introduction of the Patent Rights Incentive Program and registered almost twice as many patents,” says COO Dr Andreas Mayr. “Since then the numbers have been steadily growing.” The share of patents related to digitalisation is increasing, and the field of analytical technology – a strategic focal point – is also gaining importance.
Endress+Hauser was granted 677 patents worldwide last year, protecting the company’s products in all major European markets as well as in China and the USA. Today, the Group’s entire IPR portfolio comprises more than 8,000 patents and applications.
This is mainly due to the work of the more than 1,100 employees in research and development. “But any employee can file an invention disclosure,” emphasises Andreas Mayr. “Innovation is not limited to certain areas.”
Awards for inventing and not inventing
The Endress+Hauser Innovators’ Meeting should have taken place for the 20th time in 2020, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The meetings focus on the exchange between inventors.
At the same time, prizes are awarded: Endress+Hauser honours economically important patents, particularly active innovators, the improvement of processes and procedures – and the reuse of patents already granted. Angelika Andres: “You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel!”
Endress+Hauser UK
- +44 161 286 5000
- info@uk.endress.com
- https://www.uk.endress.com
- Floats Road Manchester M23 9NF GB
About us
A strong partner worldwide
Endress+Hauser is a global leader in measurement instrumentation, services and solutions for industrial process engineering. We provide process solutions for flow, level, pressure, analytics, temperature, recording and digital communications, optimising processes in terms of economic efficiency, safety and environmental impact. Our customers come from various industries, including chemical, food & beverage, life sciences, power & energy, primaries & metal, oil & gas and water & wastewater.
Benefits
- Net sales of 2.4 billion euros – a strong partner
- More than 13,900 employees worldwide – a reliable employer
- Equity ratio of 71% – solidly financed
- Continuous annual investments of approximately 160 million euros – future-oriented
- Nearly 7,800 patents and patent applications – innovative and creative
Where we supply to
UK Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
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