Pursuing product development and innovation isn’t an end in itself. It is the result of our laser-sharp focus on customer satisfaction – one of the reasons for our success. Only companies that of fer products and services perfectly tailored to the needs of doctors, nurses and patients will survive on the market in the long term. But what comes first? Ideas. And the ambition “to build something great through our own strength”. The editorial team spoke to Dr Christian Rohrer, Director Research & Development.
Editorial Team: Christian, why is R&D so important for L&R? Why do we invest in it as a company?
Christian: L&R has always seen itself as a solution provider, and R&D is an essential part of coming up with those solutions. We focus on developing superior solutions. We want to of fer innovative solutions that are perfectly tailored to the challenges of our time and those of our customers. R&D is embedded in the very foundations of our company. The call to continuously innovate comes directly from our owners and reflects their own commitment. We share that drive – it compels us to build something great and shape the future through our own strength.
Editorial Team: How are we positioned in terms of research, development and innovation?
Christian: At L&R, RD is known for its high performance, differentiation and strong international focus. The company has five development centres, each with a different focus. This allows us to make optimal use of local expertise, our proximity to production and our closeness to the respective markets. RD itself acts as a unifying link across this decentralised system. All in all, we manage and support a global network that, thanks to new technologies, is working together more efficiently today than ever.
Editorial Team: Where are L&R’s RD sites and what is their focus?
Christian: In Milwaukee, USA, we focus on adjustable medical compression garments, such as ReadyWrap. Our Competence Centre for Compression Stockings is located in Saint-Genest, France. At SFM in Coventry, UK, our employees concentrate on medical fibres for modern wound care. Our innovation management team is based in Neuwied, Germany. This is where Lomatuell Pro (a gel-forming contact net) was created. We also develop adhesive dressings here. In Schönau, Austria, we devote our expertise to medical technology, especially with innovations such as Suprasorb CNP, bandages like Rosidal 1C and products like Sentinex Solo and the Debrisoft product range.
Editorial Team: How does innovation management work at L&R? Innovation rarely happens in isolation, right?
Christian: Innovation is a key driver at L&R. The wonderful Dr Sabrina Ziegler heads up our team and has responsibility for innovation. We actively collaborate with leading research and development centres, star tups and opinion leaders. There are a number of examples. In Austria, we work with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute, a non-university research organisation focusing on medicine and life sciences. In the USA, we work closely with star tups. And that’s not all: we also work with diabetologist Dr Dirk Hochlenert, a key opinion leader, and other practitioners to find new solutions for foot problems experienced by diabetes patients. One of our latest innovations, CNP endo, was developed in collaboration with Dr Gunnar Loske. There’s so much going on, and there’s also a lot we can’t report on because we’re in the middle of the development process.
Editorial Team: R&D isn’t just about coming up with innovative products. Can you tell us about other key aspects of your work?
Christian: We manage products throughout their life cycle. This often involves responding to changing regulatory requirements. On the issue of competitiveness, products have to improve in order to succeed in the market. We also work on obtaining clinical proof of our products’ performance. Many tasks come out of development requirements in regulated areas, such as stability tests and design control. Patent management is crucial when it comes to protecting our ideas. We are increasingly seeking closer ties with clinical practice and engaging in dialogue with users and research institutes. We work a lot with other divisions at customer events and conferences. We run workshops (e.g. ideas workshops) with colleagues inside the company. I should emphasise that R&D’s work can only prove successful when it takes place in collaboration with other departments. We’re not a one-division band – we’re part of a greater whole.
Editorial Team: How long have you been the RD Manager?
Christian: I’ve been with L&R since 2003 and have always been the R&D Director - in that sense, I’m a true unicorn. L&R is a great company that stands out for its strong team and dedicated community. We have remarkable continuity, and we can truly be proud of that. Of course, there have always been difficult times. For me, however, the positive developments always outweigh the “downs.”
Editorial Team: How would you describe your team / your division?
Christian: I am very fortunate to lead one of the most stable and talented teams in the company. My colleagues and managers are highly talented and have developed in an impressive way. The enthusiasm and passion for our work are palpable, and we embrace diversity – whether cultural or in other areas. Of course, I’m delighted by external awards, but what really counts is the recognition and support within the company. It’s wonderful to see how our success is driven from within. This fills me with confidence and the conviction that, thanks to a strong foundation and an outstanding team, we are well-prepared for the challenges of the future. At the heart of our success are the people: our team of talented colleagues, including many trailblazers and strong female leaders, true specialists in their fields. And as mentioned, we are not a “one-division” show; we collaborate intensively, constructively, and successfully with many competent colleagues from other divisions or disciplines. This shared journey and often close cooperation ultimately takes us further.
Editorial Team: Looking back, what would you consider the highlights of your career?
Christian: I started with a team of 15 people and was tasked with establishing R&D in Austria as well as building out the entire system. Throughout this process, I could always count on the support of the owners and management. A particular highlight of my career was the development of Debrisoft: It was a tremendous stroke of luck to bring a truly innovative product to market, one that was even patented and is constantly being further developed. It was a true milestone when we were able to launch this product. Today, we are experiencing a real shift toward digitalization, and at L&R, we are also actively shaping the technological future. This transformation is multidisciplinary - RD plays an important role in it, but this challenge can only be solved through both internal and external cooperation.