Manager of the newly founded new.degree GmbH, Birgit Dillmann (center), with members of her team.
Temperature control specialist LAUDA founds new.degree GmbH, its own company for innovations outside its core business
LAUDA DR.LAUDA R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG, the world market leader for constant temperature equipment and systems, is encouraging innovation within the LAUDA Group. new.degree GmbH, a new, wholly owned LAUDA subsidiary, was founded at the beginning of the year to deal with temperature control-related innovation activities outside the present core business. The new company is managed by Birgit Dillmann and comprises seven employees in Germany and abroad.
new.degree GmbH brings together LAUDA start-up management, the LAUDA innovation laboratory including the branch office in Morgan Hill, USA, as well as the LAUDA Digital Unit, which is responsible for digitalization projects within LAUDA. The LAUDA internal ideas management scheme, which picks up ideas from employees about new products or business areas and possible process improvements, is also supported in the new company. The objective of the merger is to further professionalize and strategically develop the activities which have been developed so far. new.degree GmbH is based at its current location in Lauda-Königshofen. In the medium term, however, it is planned to move to the “Brainstation” innovation center planned by Dr. Gunther Wobser, the Managing Director of LAUDA, at Lauda railway station, the town that gives the company its name, in order to provide the creative space that is crucial to its success.
The core task of the new company is to identify innovation potentials relevant to temperature control outside LAUDA’s current normal business activities, develop them into innovative solutions and test them in the market at an early stage. Potential approaches to this will be systematically generated by the analysis of trends and suitable search fields, uncovering opportunities for future-critical technologies, targeted collaboration with startups or also thanks to ideas provided via the internal idea management instrument. The innovation laboratory quickly and validly evaluates such ideas for their sales opportunities and innovation potential. Promising ideas are developed into so-called Minimum Viable Products using agile development methods such as Lean Startup and Design Thinking with the active involvement of potential users. They are then proposed for further development to market maturity in the event of a successful test.
Support and supervision of young companies
new.degree GmbH supports start-ups in their business development with relevant technology innovations and gives their business ideas the necessary initial momentum through joint pilot projects. In addition, the innovation experts of the LAUDA management recommend strategic investments in promising start-ups on the basis of a comprehensive system. LAUDA has so far successfully invested in three start-ups - watttron, ENER-IQ and Better Basics Laborbedarf.
By integrating the Digital Unit, which was previously part of the IT division, in new.degree GmbH, the new unit is also responsible for driving LAUDA’s digital transformation. The development of customer-centric digital products and services, such as device diagnostics and data-based business models, implemented jointly with the parent company is of particular note here. At new.degree, experts from various disciplines such as marketing strategists, innovation managers, digitization experts, engineers and material scientists therefore work hand in hand at two locations. In addition, they are supported by the knowledge network of the entire LAUDA Group. LAUDA is also part of the Maschinenraum, an innovation ecosystem based in Berlin that brings together German SMEs and family-owned companies to collaboratively drive forward topics of future relevance.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President and CEO of LAUDA (r.), tests the SmartRack under laboratory conditions together with Mario Schneider, CEO at Better Basics Laborbedarf.
LAUDA invests in Better Basics start-up
LAUDA, the global market leader for temperature control equipment and systems, will cooperate with Better Basics Laborbedarf GmbH (BBL). The Dresden-based company, founded in 2019, develops, manufactures and sells smart basic equipment for laboratories that simplifies the organization of laboratory workstations and supports laboratory employees in their daily work with individually manufactured organizational systems. The modular systems are produced using 3D printing technology. In addition to an equity investment, LAUDA is primarily focusing on synergies for the jointly addressed laboratory market. For LAUDA, this is already the third successful cooperation with a start-up after watttron and ENER-IQ. This is part of the family-owned company's comprehensive innovation strategy, which, in addition to cooperation with innovative start-ups, is also driving extensive digitization measures or sustainable idea management in the group of companies, among other things.
Cooperation at eye level
Thanks to its in-depth expertise in 3D printing technology and the materials used in this process, the start-up BBL is able to realize individual customer requirements in the field of laboratory equipment. The SmartRack organization system, for example, can be equipped with 3D-printed modules as needed, providing holders for pipettes, round-bottom flasks or waste containers. The modules can be freely combined in terms of quantity and position. In cooperation with BBL, LAUDA can offer customer-centric product solutions. This strengthens the laboratory technology segment, in which LAUDA already successfully markets high-quality laboratory equipment for a wide range of applications.
The cooperation is also intended to expand the technology expertise in 3D printing within the LAUDA Group. »The start-up cooperation with Better Basics Laborbedarf provides further access to innovative technologies, which, in addition to synergies with our research and development department, also provides new impetus directly in sales,« says Robert Tietze, Start-Up Manager at LAUDA. LAUDA is already using 3D printing in the series production of its temperature control units.
»A central aspect of LAUDA's innovation strategy is the targeted cooperation with innovative, young companies that complement and further advance our core competence, temperature control,« explains Dr. Gunther Wobser, President and CEO of LAUDA. »With Better Basics, we have once again made a find and can offer customer-specific solutions to the laboratory market. In addition, we expect to gain valuable insights in the field of 3D printing for the production of our temperature control units,« says Dr. Gunther Wobser.
»We at Better Basics Laborbedarf are very pleased to have gained a strategic partner in LAUDA, who will support us in our further growth. In this way, we can benefit from LAUDA's many years of experience and exploit synergies in sales, among other things«, says Mario Schneider, CEO of Better Basics Laborbedarf.
The new LAUDA Integral P process thermostats expand the temperature range of non flammable heat carriers and enable applications under realistic conditions at low operating costs. (Image: LAUDA)
LAUDA expands its successful range of integral process thermostats with a pressure-blanketed variant
LAUDA, the world market leader for constant temperature equipment and systems, is expanding its successful range of integral process thermostats with new models. LAUDA has rounded off its portfolio for demanding temperature control tasks with two devices of the new, pressure-blanketed Integral P variant and a new, high-performance device of the T variant, and will also offer models with NRTL certification for the North American market in future. The new products are accompanied by the MID 80 through-flow control unit, which enables reproducible test processes.
LAUDA Integral P: Using pressure to achieve the perfect temperature
The two device types, Integral IN 2050 PW and IN 2560 PW, function according to the pressure blanketing principle. The devices, which are equipped with a stainless steel pressure vessel, significantly expand the temperature range of non flammable heat carriers. For example, the upper temperature limit of water/glycol mixtures, which are commonly used in tests in the automotive industry, can be increased from 90°C to 140°C. Consequently, the new Integral P process thermostats enable testing of drive systems or stress tests under realistic conditions at low operating costs. In the pressure blanketing process, the compressed air supply is used to fill the device with negative pressure, which sucks the temperature control medium into the device with a vacuum of -0.2 bar. Integral P process thermostats can be used within a working temperature range from -40°C to 140°C with a cooling capacity of 20 kW and 25 kW, respectively. The devices are ideal for use in test stations for the testing of electric motors or batteries in the electric mobility sector.
New model in the Integral T product line meets demand for even more powerful temperature control
In response to high demand for powerful temperature control in the pharmaceutical industry, LAUDA is expanding its product line of Integral T process thermostats with the IN 1830 TW, offering 19 kW cooling capacity. The process thermostat is aimed at users who need professional temperature control with a working temperature range from -30°C to 150°C. Thanks to their open hydraulic system, LAUDA Integral T process thermostats are ideal for temperature control processes with frequent changes in the consumer or test object. The new generation of devices features a modular interface concept and ensures maximum connectivity of user processes.
With the MID 80 through-flow control unit, LAUDA has taken an important step from pure temperature control to efficient energy management. A magnetic-inductive flow meter measures the flow rate of the temperature control medium within the application. The temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet is used to accurately determine the transferred amounts of energy. The high-precision measuring unit enables accurate and reproducible results, which are indispensable in battery tests, as used in the electric mobility industry. In order to achieve a high level of quality in production, validated test processes in this field use a defined flow rate.
LAUDA is investing around 7 million euros in the construction of new production facilities in Terrassa, Spain. Industrial circulation chillers will be produced at the site.
LAUDA is building a new facility for the production of circulation chillers in Spain for 7 million euros
On 20 January 2011, i.e. 10 years ago, LAUDA, the world market leader in temperature control equipment and systems, acquired a plant for industrial circulation chillers in Terrassa near Barcelona, Spain. Owing to the continuous positive development of the Spanish subsidiary, the temperature control specialist was able to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for a new production facility there at the beginning of the year. The new building of LAUDA's subsidiary LAUDA Ultracool, SL will more than double the production capacity of LAUDA circulation chillers to meet the growing global demand for energy-efficient temperature control solutions. For LAUDA, this is not only the first construction project abroad in the company's 65-year history but also the first complete new building "on a greenfield site". Around 4,000 m² of new production space and more than 850 m² of office space will be created on a 9,000 m² site in the direct vicinity of the existing company headquarters. The Spanish sales company LAUDA Ibérica Soluciones Técnicas will also move into the new building.
LAUDA will manufacture industrial circulation chillers on the new site. LAUDA is investing around 7 million euros in the new building in Spain. Completion is scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2021. Xavier Armengol, Managing Director of LAUDA Ultracool, is proud of the new building: "LAUDA Ultracool will have significantly more space to integrate research and development and production capacities on the new site." The LAUDA Group's investment in these turbulent times was also a strong signal of confidence in the subsidiary and its employees.
The laying of the foundation stone, which took place on 14 January 2021 under strict hygiene conditions without representatives of the parent company, was attended by the management of LAUDA Ultracool, together with the deputy mayor of Terrassa, Ms. Nuria Marín, and high-ranking representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services. A time capsule containing local newspapers, a LAUDA complete brochure, sketches of the building, euro coins and a document with employee signatures was placed in the foundation during the ceremony,.
"The new building in Terrassa in the direct vicinity of the megacity of Barcelona has great significance for us," said Dr. Marc Stricker, COO of LAUDA. He noted that the demand for energy-efficient industrial cooling was constantly increasing, e.g. in applications such as the cooling of laser cutting machines or industrial printing machines. "The new building and the possibilities it creates will enable us to meet this demand and continue to drive the future viability of industrial temperature control technology forward at the same time. In this respect, LAUDA Ultracool is playing a leading role in the development of the connection of industrial circulation chillers to the LAUDA Cloud." Constant temperature equipment such as the Ultracool industrial circulation chillers can be monitored and controlled on a decentralized basis via the LAUDA Cloud. Access to the historical data of every device in the LAUDA Cloud also enables predictive and preventive maintenance. President and CEO, Dr. Gunther Wobser added: "Our fantastic success story in Catalonia shows that LAUDA is not only growing steadily at home but all over the world. Of the total of five production sites, three are located abroad; in China and the USA in addition to Spain. This means we are close to customers in dynamic industries such as electromobility and bioproduction, which includes vaccine manufacturing."
LAUDA Versafreeze ultra-freezers have been optimized for the extreme demands of ultra-low temperature storage, and cool samples, medicines or organic substances safely and reliably. (Image: LAUDA)
LAUDA presents Versafreeze ultra-freezers for the safe storage of vaccines and valuable samples
LAUDA, the world market leader in temperature control equipment and systems, is expanding its portfolio with the new LAUDA Versafreeze product line. This consists of high-quality ultra-freezers which have been optimized for the extreme requirements of deep-freeze storage. LAUDA thereby meets the requirements of vaccine producers, pharmaceutical service providers, vaccination centers and universities for the safe storage of temperature-sensitive corona vaccines and valuable medicines, chemical substances or biological samples. With a temperature range from 0 to -85 °C, LAUDA Versafreeze ultra-freezers provide state-of-the-art refrigeration technology, excellent insulating properties and the greatest possible protection, thanks to password-protected access rights and secure monitoring via the LAUDA Cloud.
Deep-freeze appliances with cutting-edge insulation technology
LAUDA Versafreeze freezer cabinets and chest freezers use a combination of vacuum insulation panels, thermofoil and diffusion-resistant foamed polyurethane insulation to protect against warming. This high-grade combination enables economical energy consumption, an excellent temperature homogeneity and consistency as well as short pull-down and maximum warm-up times. The insulation is also thinner with the same or even improved properties, leaving more space for the chamber. In the design, LAUDA relies uncompromisingly on components of the highest quality, such as vacuum panels from va-Q-tec, compressors from Embraco or controllers from Störk. After all, quality and reliability - and therefore the safety of valuable samples - are LAUDA's top priorities for its deep-freeze appliances.
In addition to this, LAUDA stands for continuity. As early as 2008, LAUDA-GFL was the first manufacturer in the world to set standards in the storage of sensitive pharmaceuticals by using efficient and natural refrigerants in ultra-freezers. Today, the use of sustainable refrigeration technology remains an essential component of LAUDA Versafreeze ultra-freezers.
Safe storage of valuable and sensitive materials
LAUDA Versafreeze deep-freeze appliances offer maximum sample reliability even in the event of a power failure, thanks to long thawing times. The integrated accumulator is a standard feature and ensures that the actual temperature display and alarm functions are maintained for a period of up to 60 hours. Locking systems right through to the individual drawer and inner compartment protect high-value and critical samples against tampering and access. New features of the Versafreeze deep-freeze appliances also include operation via an intuitive, modern touch display with a wide range of setting options, password-protected access rights and secure monitoring via the LAUDA Cloud. This allows critical values of the ultra-freezers to be checked and controlled independently of the location and appliance.
LAUDA Versafreeze can be optionally equipped with a safety cooling system for added safety. These systems protect against an uncontrolled temperature increase by keeping the chamber temperature constant at a freely definable value (-70 to 0 °C) through the controlled addition of LN2 or CO2 in the event of a failure of the appliance cooling system. LAUDA Versafreeze are available with safety cooling systems for either CO2 or LN2 coolants. LN2 is always used when the stored materials may not come in contact with CO2. LAUDA Versafreeze safety cooling systems include an accumulator which supplies power to the safety cooling system and the alarm module. An optional data logger for external control and recording of the chamber temperature is also available. The data logger has adjustable limit value monitoring with an acoustic alarm and sufficient memory for up to 60,000 measurement values with sample times from 1 sec to 24 h. All devices are equipped with a data logger integrated in the controller as standard.
Extensive accessories for individual customer requirements
LAUDA Versafreeze ultra-freezers are characterized by exceptional variability and perfectly tailored accessories. Upon request, the deep-freeze appliances can be equipped at the factory with additional options to increase safety and performance. In addition to an optionally selectable water cooling system, drawer sets, appliance-specific factory certificates, plug-in units for boxes, microtiter and DeepWell plates are available to make optimum use of the chamber of the deep-freeze appliance. Their use guarantees clearly arranged and safe storage of all the sample material. LAUDA Versafreeze ultra-freezers have proven themselves in a wide variety of applications for decades and also solve the most difficult problems, no matter whether they are series devices or special solutions. Special equipment and customized accessories can be flexibly manufactured in our high-quality in-house sheet metal processing shop.
