Research and development In 2012, Oerlikon made significant investments to further refine its products and services and develop groundbreaking new technologies and products.
Research and development (R&D) is fundamental to Oerlikon’s continued success. Expenditures on R&D totaled CHF 106 million in 2012, about 4 % of sales, and has remained at a high level for many years. More than 1 000 engineers and scientists were employed by the Group worldwide. These professionals focus on developing solutions that help decrease operating costs, increase production efficiency, lessen the environmental impact of production and, of course, improve the performance of products. In short, Oerlikon helps customers add value and gain competitive advantage.
Focus on added value for customers
Markets are constantly changing, posing ever new challenges for Oerlikon and its customers. Oerlikon meets these challenges by focusing on the customer. More efficient production of manmade fibers, improved engine and transmission components that reduce fuel consumption, and more advanced tools that extend durability and reduce wear and tear on materials – these are just a few examples of how Oerlikon is adding value to a global and diverse set of customers through continuous development of higher-quality, higher-performance solutions.
Innovation is the key to success here. Oerlikon leverages more than 160 years of technology leadership to deliver the following core benefits:
- Reduced cost of ownership: optimizing customers’ operating costs through more efficient products and solutions.
- Higher quality: innovative gearboxes allow for faster gear times, while new production technologies for manmade fibers increase yarn quality.
- Increased clean technology: delivering measurable improvements in the environmental performance of production processes by lowering energy consumption, reducing use of material, emissions and waste.
- New markets and applications: many Oerlikon technologies allow our customers to enter new markets, e.g. with manmade fibers such as geotextiles, artificial turf or composite materials.
Strategic importance of R&D at Oerlikon
Research and development (R&D) is fundamental to Oerlikon’s continued success. Expenditures on R&D totaled CHF 106 million in 2012, about 4 % of sales, and has remained at a high level for many years. More than 1 000 engineers and scientists were employed by the Group worldwide.
In 2012, R&D efforts by Oerlikon led to substantial renewal of the Group’s intellectual property (IP). More than 10 % of its patents were newly registered last year, laying ground for future growth with new products and applications. The main patents belong to the WINGS FDY or BCF machines of the Textile Segment, S3p™ or ePD™ technology of Oerlikon Balzers or patents for the Dryvac®, Sogevac® and Turbovac® vacuum pumps.