Unfortunately I was unable to attend this week's BME Symposium in Berlin, however we can report that REHAU has been awarded with the BME Innovation Award for its “Innovation management within the REHAU purchasing network”.

REHAU has been recognised for its approach to identify and encourage innovation of products, markets and technologies from its suppliers and thereby bringing innovation into its own company according to Dr. Juergen Marquard, president of the BME. A family-owned business, REHAU is positioned as a world leader in premium brand for polymer-based solutions, employing more than 14,000 individuals in more than 170 locations around the world.

REHAU systematically analysed the potential of innovation of its suppliers, allowing the purchasing department to get early involvement into the product development process. A number of initiatives helped REHAU to identify innovations and transfer them into the company including:

• Development of a new “Innovation Scout” function 
  
• Innovation mentors from the management
• “Innovation days” with selected suppliers
• Launch of "new ideas" portal allowing suppliers to submit new products ideas
  

The award shortlist included the likes Océ Printing Systems, RWE Systems and Wacker Chemie. Since 1986 the BME has recognised companies from the manufacturing industry, retail and service sector with the BME Innovation Award and for their successful concepts.