Innovation competition enters its third round - A tradition continues!

Dear readers,

The people of Cologne say: "The first time we try it out, the second time it's tradition and the third time it's custom!" With this in mind, we are delighted to announce the launch of the 'RWTÜV Innovation Competition 2024'! What began as a step into unknown territory has now developed into a valued co-determination tool within our RWTÜV Group. We are for the third time now looking forward to innovative ideas and creative solutions that inspire and advance us and our subsidiaries.

First of all, we would like to wish our employees and customers a great vacation! Because time off is important for our creativity. In phases of rest and relaxation, our minds can leave the demands of everyday life behind and make room for new ideas. The ideal basis for imaginative processes and the fresh and productive impulses we are searching for our innovation competition!

Our company summer parties also take place during these months: Relaxed get-togethers are also an excellent basis for developing team spirit and for informal exchanges, which can ultimately lead to the joint development of new products and services. It is much easier to brainstorm and set the course for future innovations with familiar colleagues with whom we have shared pleasant experiences outside of everyday working life.

With relaxed and creative greetings,
Yours
Thomas Biedermann and Fabian Fechner

The RWTÜV Innovation Competition format for employee participation in the development of the Group and new services has proven its worth. Various processes were optimized, new services designed, exchanges intensified and the parent company and subsidiaries grew closer together. Round three was launched at the beginning of July, also supported by the Austrian agency isn – innovation service network, which has since become an associated company.

This year's focus: artificial intelligence. How can ChatGPT, Google Gemini or Microsoft Copilot open up opportunities for our Group's tasks, offerings and services? Which of our own products – see pioneer Van Ameyde – could be developed? How can we maximize the potential of AI for our work and integrate it, reduce prejudices and close security gaps?

Employees and teams are invited to develop ideas in collaboration with the competition organizers. Thomas Biedermann confirms: "The impetus comes from the place where the task is performed. We provide support in integrating them into everyday working life, which is a top priority. Because nothing is more demotivating than when good ideas are called for but then disappear into a black hole. We have earmarked up to 100,000 euros to implement promising proposals."

The task seems to have struck a chord, as the first creative suggestions were received shortly after the competition went live. The entrants – individuals or teams – can once again expect to receive a prize: 2,000 euros for first place, 1,000 euros for second place and 500 euros for third place. A new feature this year is that not only ideas submitted, but also activities on the platform such as liking or commenting will be registered and rewarded as an additional motivating factor.

Viktoria Wallner, responsible on the isn side, is also convinced: "It's great to see how the RWTÜV Group lives innovation with passion and offers its employees the opportunity to actively contribute their ideas and give them a voice. The result? Employees are transformed into co-thinkers who can help shape the future of the RWTÜV Group. We want to push this dynamic further together. For example, it is currently possible to challenge each other: Points can now be collected on a competition-specific basis, giving new creative minds the chance to take the podium!"
 

For several years now, RWTÜV subsidiary ensun has successfully offered a free online B2B search engine that presents companies worldwide with the products or services they are looking for quickly and specifically. The ensun bot, which was developed in-house, searches the entire World Wide Web for technology providers and their solutions on a daily basis.

It then uses its own AI to create meaningful and clear provider profiles - there are now more than 9 million in the ensun database. When a query is made, these appear sorted by relevance for the searcher using extensive filter options and a specially developed algorithm. Regardless of whether it is about digital solutions, sustainable, material or production technologies, all results are tailored precisely to the needs of the query, so that market transparency across all sectors can be gained free of charge in a matter of seconds.

ensun now also offers companies the opportunity to become active suppliers: Interested companies can place targeted products in the search engine, specifically tailored to certain topics or generically. ensun founder and Managing Director Benjamin Hill explains: "Until now, we were primarily able to offer maximum reach to searchers worldwide, but now we can also offer this impact to providers!" RWTÜV Managing Director Fabian Fechner comments: "This is where AI is used to maximum effect for all parties. ensun is a role model for all of us in the RWTÜV Group in this respect!"

Ingenieurbüro Nordhorn presents itself with a new website. It immediately captivates users with a coherent visual language, convincing texts, fresh design and an intuitive and comprehensible structure. Managing Director Klaus Nordhorn comments: "We are focusing on our corporate culture and our employees, who are the foundation of our success. What is it like to work for us? What is the work-life balance like and what values are important to us?" A clear focus that facilitates and supports the search for talented specialists But companies that are looking for a reliable TGA partner with whom they can plan transparently and confidently on an equal footing are also likely to be impressed by this presentation.

The RWTÜV Group's Communications, Marketing and Social Media department has been welcoming new staff since July 1. Working student Jana Theus is 22 years old and is studying Journalism and Public Relations in her 6th semester at the Westfälische Hochschule in Gelsenkirchen. During an internship in the TV department of FC Schalke 04, she also gained her first experience in camera work, video editing and social media. The future communications expert will write and design texts for RWTÜV, plan, shoot and edit videos for the various platforms with the content team and be involved in the conception of marketing campaigns. As a soccer fan, amateur cook and animal lover, Jana Theus also fits perfectly into the team at Kronprinzenstraße in Essen.

The colleagues from Enoplan especially celebrated the completion of the extensive change process that they had gone through together in recent weeks: In bright sunshine, a large town hall meeting was combined with a company party in Kraichtal, including wine tasting and a tour of the vineyard at the Klenert winery, which has been Ecovin-certified organic since 2019.

At cetecom advanced, the first thing on the agenda was history. The employees hiked from the Saarbrücken headquarters to France, to the memorials of the recent past on the Spicherer Höhe. On their return to the company premises, they were delighted to find a sizzling barbecue waiting for them. The day ended with lively discussions. There will be celebrations at the Essen site in August.

apro.gmbh started the day with a brunch, followed by a mini golf course – before then returning to a feast. However, the focus of the day was not the food, but a good time with colleagues, relaxation, fun and lots of laughter. The common conclusion: "It's days like this that make summer so special."

Ingenieurbüro Nordhorn stuck to the motto 'Practice makes perfect' and met again for the annual summer party at the hunting lodge of founder and Managing Director Klaus Nordhorn. However, all the practice over the past few years was of no use to the long-serving staff: the winner was a newly hired colleague. Lea Jauch, technical system planner, shot the bird with the 135th shot in her second month at IB Nordhorn. Did her hobby as a markswoman play a role in her job interview? In any case, the new colleague was sure to be recognized.

RWTÜV Managing Director Thomas Biedermann and Fabian Fechner were once again present at most of the appointments, either one of them or both. They were greeted enthusiastically by the colleagues present, not least because of their gifts: this year's RWTÜV drinking bottle, multitool and lanyard.