At INNOTECH we can look back on an exciting year 2019.

We are very happy that we were able to convince many new customers of our solutions this year. However, we are particularly proud that we have not lost focus on our existing customers and products, but that we see their continuous development as our most important goal.

Accordingly, we continued to develop our services in 2019 so that we can bring the safety of people who have to put themselves in potentially dangerous situations every day to an even higher level. The rollouts, our three most important dates of the year, at which the latest product developments and extensions are presented, included exciting products that were previously unique on the market.

The most important product innovations of 2019 at a glance

The most important product innovation of the year was presented at the first rollout in February: our optimized guardrail system BARRIER. This innovative product improvement is characterized by a 30% reduction in assembly time through consistent optimization of the individual components and the complete absence of plasticizers. The wide range of possible uses and the quick, chip-free assembly make the product a flexible all-rounder that blends in extremely gently with the aesthetics of buildings. Not only are we excited about the new BARRIER, we also get great feedback from our customers.

The KIT-BOX also came onto the market in the first quarter of 2019. Ideal for building structures of all kinds, e.g. steel, facade, hall and bridge construction replaces the Lifeline-Kit product line. Two system lengths (15 m and 30 m) are now available to users and handling has been simplified. The horizontal cable system is ideal for mounting on different supporting structures and is approved for four people.

At half-time in June, the unit industry fastening sets with the products BEF-810/-811/-830/-840/-841 for clamping onto I-beam and pipe structures were completed. The variable setting option of the various clamps guarantees perfect adaptation to the respective pipe or support dimensions. The pre-assembled clamps enable quick and penetration-free installation on the respective constructions. The system is also suitable for abseiling, fastening distances up to max. 15 m are possible. And: the system can be easily retrofitted at any time.

Also new is the QUAD-30 self supporting post for use on green and graveledl flat roofs, which was presented at our last rollout in October. The main advantage of this product is that it does not penetrate the roof, does not have to interfere with the building physics and prevents cold bridges. With the product development of QUAD-30, INNOTECH combines security with sustainability for the first time and offers an optically unobtrusive solution for fall protection on environmentally friendly green roofs.

In autumn, the temporary protection system (TFS), the perfect protective measure when setting up roof trusses, was presented on the Swiss market. On the ground, the system is already attached to the wooden construction of the roof truss, and it provides protection to the installer on the ridge while he performs his work. In combination with personal protective equipment against falls from a height, the TFS system from INNOTECH is one of the safest solutions on the market. It is not necessary to set up additional scaffolding or fall protection nets indoors and by supplying individual components, defective or used parts can be replaced inexpensively. TFS can be used from a ridge height of 4.5 m and can be freely tensioned up to 15 m. With an intermediate support, the system can even be extended to 30 m.

Based on this impressive list and a number of additional product enhancements, it can certainly be understood that 2019 was extremely busy in the areas of research & development, technology and product management.

Special projects, team events and the largest trade fair in the world

In addition to our numerous highlights at the product level, numerous other challenges could be mastered and projects implemented.

A special project was implemented in Brazil in the spring. A tailor-made special version of our TAURUS rail system was installed on a 325m high research tower of the Max Planck Institute to give people on the ATTO tower the opportunity to optimally secure themselves at the moving anchorage point or the fall arrester.

Participating in the Bergmarathon in July has a long tradition at INNOTECH. Our numerous participations in sporting events always focus on fun and team spirit. Nevertheless, our Bergmarathon team was able to achieve remarkable success again this year.

Our new training center was opened in September 2019. The two-story extension not only offers enough space to carry out our popular specialist training, but also for other training options. In order to better meet the needs of our customers and partners, three further training courses in occupational safety were designed, which make INNO|school one of the most comprehensive training centers for occupational safety at heights.

The next highlight was not long in coming. Our new homepage was launched in time for A + A in November. More modern, tidier and of course more informative. Our new website now offers a variety of useful information for entrepreneurs, users and decision-makers. The heart of our website, the Product-Finder, presents our more than 300 products in a detailed and clear form. With a few simple clicks and a filter according to the respective application, the surface or the type of fastening, the right products are displayed in no time.

There was not much time to celebrate, because the next event, the world's largest occupational safety fair, was just around the corner. The A + A in Düsseldorf was certainly the largest and most complex project that we were able to put into action this year at INNOTECH with the help of a sensational team effort. Despite the intensive preparation time, hundreds of hours of work and many tied resources, A + A 2019 was again a special highlight for us. 4 intensive trade fair days, many familiar faces and exciting new contacts - an international, top-class trade fair full of impressions and encounters.

At the end of December we were able to finalize a very special project together with one of our loyal partners. The installation of the customized fall protection at the new headquarters of the Axel Springer publishing house in Berlin. One of the most spectacular projects that INNOTECH has implemented so far. We have already received initial insights into the finished project. We will shortly share the impressive photos with you as we cannot withhold this extraordinary project from you.

Outlook 2020

What will the new year bring us? Economic researchers say 2020 will be turbulent. Companies will face numerous risks but also great opportunities.

We are well positioned for the coming year and ready to take advantage of these opportunities, because we have big plans for the coming year.

The strategy for the coming year is in place. Our development team is already working flat out on the next product innovations for our customers, which will be presented in February 2020. The next trade fairs are planned, above all the Swissbau in January 2020.

The coming year will definitely be exciting and great again, but probably also exhausting and challenging. As a team, we will be able overcome these obstacles again and celebrate our successes together.

But before that, we treat ourselves to a few days of Christmas rest before we continue to push our projects with fresh energy in the new year in order to continue to offer you the best products and exceptional service.

For the upcoming holidays, we wish you a nice, harmonious Christmas season with many little joys and a healthy, successful start to 2020.