Innovative companies take a holistic approach, not only in product development, but also in the way they do business. At the same time, innovation strategies require forward-thinking ideation, agile collaboration, and seamless execution. And new ideas won't happen without an excellent network of customers, research institutes, universities, and other companies in the construction industry – but everything hinges on Xella's vibrant culture of innovation and the expertise of its employees.

Innovative strength is part of Xella's DNA 

Xella's innovation processes are systematically designed to listen to every suggestion made and to encourage a wide range of ideas. With the help of the Heads of Innovation, Xella ensures that new ideas are bundled and incorporated into decision-making processes. In this way, every proposal is examined, and new approaches and best practice go hand in hand.  

Innovation Award recognizes the best ideas from the workforce 

Also, to encourage the staff’s own initiative time and again, Xella has been recognizing the most promising innovations with the company's internal Innovation Award since 2007. Every two years, fresh, creative and novel solutions from employees are honored there. An internal jury awards the prize to the most convincing ideas in the categories "Product/ Solution," "Sustainability" and "Digital. The "Rising Star" category also honors innovations that are still in the idea stage or another phase of the innovation process. Across Europe, a wide range of promising innovations are constantly emerging at the various sites.

From state-of-the-art construction site equipment to virtual tools 

Included this year, for example, is a 100 percent biodegradable shelf made of Ytong, which was developed in Serbia. It is made of recycled cellulose fibers, provides enough space for tools and brochures, and gives the brand more visibility at sales locations. Numerous ideas are developed in cooperation with the respective customers: For example, the "Spider" mini crane, which was developed in Poland, provides support for complicated below-ceiling constructions. The mini crane carries a mass of up to 250 kilograms to a height of more than four meters and at the same time folds up so compactly that it fits through a simple front door. This innovation received the current award in the "Product/ Solution" category.  

Some projects also serve to improve cooperation within the Xella Group and with customers. Among the projects submitted this year was one from the Czech Republic, which takes virtual communication to the next level: Here, among other things, a highly professional television studio was built, with which webinars, presentations or conferences with a large number of participants are no longer a problem. Innovations from the company can also be presented very easily thanks to vivid animations.  

And finally, the past months called for a new approach to engaging with our customers: Xella Germany developed a holistic and personalized marketing process – with digital building blocks from webinars to an online magazine and the integration of chatbots to make direct communication much easier for our customers. 

See some of our latest innovation projects here: