AZUR: At the heartbeat of the German economy
"Top 100" identifies the most innovative companies in the country and this year AZUR Solar GmbH is one of them. Wangen - Resourceful employees, a willingness to drive new initiatives and creative marketing of new products have brought this SME company to the top and into the list of the top 100 innovators in Germany. This Thursday evening in Rostock, Lothar Späth handed over the "Top 100" seal of quality to AZUR.
The Allgäu based company is constantly fed with new ideas from its 70 creative employees. From a complete PV systems provider it has developed into a growing technology based company that not only brings small-scale systems to domestic roofs but also undertakes large projects in the commercial sector.
The product that is currently scoring AZUR points on the already innovation driven solar technology market is called "AZUR 2P". It's a coating, a permanently affixed film, that increases the life and output of a solar module. This innovation filters out the infrared spectrum of light that the solar cell is exposed to, which slows down the cell's ageing process. Where a solar module normally operates at 80% of its original output after twenty years, the 2P film increases this to 98%. In addition, the filter process serves to lower the operating temperature and thus raises the module's efficiency. Last but not least, "AZUR 2P" protects the glass surface from abrasive damage, such as by sand or dirt - which means that it has worldwide applications "This patented invention is unique within our industry", assures Bernd Sauter, Managing Director and innovative head of AZUR Solar. The new invention has been so well received that the company is operating at full capacity to produce the coating.
Over several months, the Vienna University of Economics and Business examined the level of innovative behaviour in a total of 248 medium-sized companies in Germany. The best 100, including AZUR Solar, bear the seal of quality for one year. "Good ideas that are launched into the market don't come about on their own. We work hard on them every day. Of course we are thrilled that our commitment is now being rewarded. It shows us that we're on the right track. Good ideas won't run out in the future either, I' m very confident of that", says Sauter.
Throughout Germany, a total of 32,500 employees work at the top innovators. Their approach is meticulous and they're not afraid to tackle new ideas. Because their employers provide optimum conditions for creativity and get the most out of their workforce thanks to consistent innovation management. This makes them a fundamental driving force for the German economy. In 2009, they achieved a total turnover of 11.1 billion euros. 42 of the 100 medium-sized companies that bear the 2010 seal of quality are the number one nation-wide in their respective industries; 10 of them are global market leaders. 60 family-operated companies among this year's "Top 100" go to show that a sense of tradition and willingness to change aren't mutually exclusive. 86 of the 100 companies grew faster than the industry average in the past three years.
You will find further information about AZUR, the other 99 distinguished prize winners and the "Top 100" project at www.top100.de.