Hittech Group and Zeiss Microscopy have been working together for nearly ten years. We asked Sven Jooss, Head of Supply Chain Management at Zeiss Microscopy, “What are the key factors for a successful collaboration?”
Sven Jooss: “Our supply chain strategy has been quite advanced over the years, as I might say. We have been implementing a strategy of long-term relationships with selected suppliers for a considerable time. You could say that loyalty and trust are in our DNA. We also appreciate the team from Hittech. There was always trust to overcome challenges together.”
What role does creativity play in the collaboration with these suppliers?
Sven Jooss: “ZEISS is a scientifically oriented company, but it’s important to remember that creating complex projects and products involves a form of creativity. In a highly technical and innovative environment, creativity fuels the advancement of innovation and energy. Combining both experimental and scientific approaches is crucial for solving complex challenges.”
The approach to innovation within ZEISS has yielded exceptionally positive results. In 2022, the development of the ZEISS Lattice Lightsheet 7, designed for gentle 3D imaging of living cells, was honoured with the German Federal President’s Award for Technology and Innovation (Deutscher Zukunftspreis). Two years earlier, in 2020, the team of developers from ZEISS, TRUMPF, and Fraunhofer received the Deutscher Zukunftspreis for their work on EUV lithography.
