The objective of the innovation centre is to offer a space for creative ideas, speed up innovation cycles and bring new and more customer-specific products to the market even faster.
“The innovation centre is a clear commitment to our roots and the business hub of Hohenlohe; it is an investment in growth and thus in the future viability of the company. At the same time, it is clear proof of Würth’s manufacturing expertise and thus of the user-focused quality of our products. This is only possible thanks to the trust of our customers—I thank you for this,” said Reinhold Würth, chairman of the supervisory board of the Würth group family trusts (pictured, fifth from left).
The innovation centre consists of two buildings: the triangular shape of the main building is emphasised by an artful steel-glass structure that overlooks the foyer. The adjoining building connects directly to the main building via a bridge. A green rooftop terrace and meeting points overlooking the Hohenlohe region make for wide horizons. The workspaces are based on the gold standard of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).
Around 250 people will work on product and system innovations in the new Curio center: employees from product development of Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, from production companies of the Würth Group as well as scientists and students from technical universities.
At Curio, they will be in direct touch with Würth customers from the trades and industry. “This is how we strengthen our own expertise and innovative power through the direct knowledge, ideas and needs of our customers,” said Dr. Heiko Rosskamp, head of research and development at Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG. The research focus is on fastening technology, screws, anchors, chemicals, power tools and systems, all fields of expertise of the Würth Group.
Cooperation with scientists from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, the University of Stuttgart and Reinhold-Würth-Hochschule in Künzelsau will create an oasis of innovation based on research, development and application in the field, the company said.
At Würth, innovations are inspired by the daily challenges of the customers. Involving customers in the development of products and services is a core element. In interactive workshops, Würth simulates the customer’s application worlds. In addition to the actual product, Würth is also working on the connection of products. The digital management tool ORSYonline, for example, helps customers to manage their power tool fleet.
Workshops, test fields, air-conditioning chambers, 3D printing technology, seismic test stands for anchor systems as well as an IoT laboratory make sure application-based research and development are constantly driven forward. Earthquakes can be simulated and products tested for their functionality in extreme situations. Climate chambers and a tropical house simulate relevant environmental impacts.
