Design thinking as an innovation driver - a practical example

Since 2005, the internationally active Swiss family-owned company simatec has been managed in the second generation by Mischa N. Wyssmann. Since its foundation in 1983, a motivated team has been developing and producing innovative products for the maintenance of rolling bearings under the brand names simatherm, simatool and simalube. To date, the subsidiary simatec inc. in Charlotte USA, simatec gmbh in Pforzheim Germany and simatec ag in China have also successfully commenced operations. In other countries, simatec ag is involved in joint ventures. One of the leading products is the simalube grease and oil dispenser: with this, the company opened up an extremely successful business field and became one of the leading suppliers on the world market. The foundation for this was laid by the development of a special drive: the patented gas evolution cell enables clean, safe and maintenance-free long-term lubrication of bearing points. This novel technology simplifies complex processes and reduces maintenance on thousands of machines and systems.

But simatec does not want to stop there: Despite the current difficult economic conditions, the company is investing in a unique innovation project called "simaX". Why? Because - as the example of simalube already shows - innovation has been the DNA and thus the key to continuous success for years. This innovation project relies on the Design Thinking method, an approach that puts the customer's needs at the center of all considerations. By means of agile and iterative creative processes as well as numerous interviews, the ideas and wishes of future customers are bundled. "We want to tailor new, intelligent solutions and products exactly to the requirements of our customers and thus develop new business areas," says owner Mischa Wyssmann. In practice, this means: Three months of thinking differently and working differently.

Innovate in three office cubes

Two teams of three have the task of finding new fields of application for the technology of the simatec gas evolution cell - the core of the leader product "simalube". The two teams, "Da Vinci" and "Einstein," are conducting research in the fields of MedTech and pest control, plant protection and home automation, respectively, and are working under the guidance of an external moderator. Mischa Wyssmann: "For the interdisciplinary teams, we have completely freed up four employees from day-to-day business and provided them with the optimal infrastructure so that they can work autonomously. In addition, one person each was hired to bring the simatec-external perspective to the teams." The "Da Vinci" and "Einstein" office cubes were equipped with collaboration technology and prototyping material for creative thinking methods. Another factor in the success is the methodological coaching provided by the facilitator and the Innovation Board, who plan and guide the process. The MedTech team is additionally supported by external experts in medically complex topics such as applications, markets, regulatory and compliance.

Why was the gas evolution cell the focus of the design thinking method? The gas evolution cell, the size of a hearing aid battery, exploits electrochemical principles to generate hydrogen gas. It is an autonomous energy source that also functions as a motor, clock and clock generator - an absolutely potent, agile miniature power plant whose potential benefits are far from exhausted. And this is precisely where Design Thinking comes in.

Learned Design Thinking method a year ago

So how do you find the ultimate solution and how is progress measured? One thing up front: Innovation is not a matter of chance, but the result of a consistent strategy, the achievement of which is continuously monitored: the teams plan and work in 14-day sprints. They share the results in a review meeting with the innovation board, consisting of members of the executive management and the board of directors. This performance review is the basis for the next sprint. "We place particular emphasis on exchange throughout the company," says Mischa Wyssmann. "The innovation teams regularly share their experiences with work colleagues at an information event - at the Fürobebier. With this innovation project, steered by the Design Thinking method, the focus is not on our business goals, but rather on serving as an innovation engine for motivated and enthusiastic employees."

simatec became familiar with the Design Thinking method as early as fall 2021 during a three-day workshop at the Mobiliar Forum in Thun. Establishing the innovation technique in the company was the right decision and an exemplary model for industrial companies that want to reshape their future in the context of digitalization.

More information: simateg ag