By Matthijs Glastra, Chair and Chief Executive Officer
When we cut the ribbon at our new Berlin site, we weren’t simply opening the doors to a new office. We were celebrating what it represents: our continued commitment to investing in the people, technologies and partnerships that will shape our future.
Every investment we make is intended to help us innovate faster, creating greater value for customers. Our new Berlin site reflects that commitment.
Designed to bring teams together, the space encourages collaboration and supports continuous improvement across our Advanced Surgery business. It’s an environment built for solving complex challenges and accelerating the development of technologies that help improve patient outcomes around the world.
Facilities matter because people matter. When we create spaces that encourage collaboration and innovation, we create more opportunities for great ideas to become reality.
This milestone is also a testament to the incredible employees who made it possible. Bringing a new site to life requires vision and planning, as well as an unwavering commitment to excellence. Our Berlin change agents demonstrated all of those qualities throughout the process, and I’m grateful for everything they accomplished.
The day also gave us an opportunity to recognize someone whose impact on our organization extends far beyond this new site. After 26 years of leadership, Clemens Scholz, Vice President of Marketing, is retiring, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. Throughout his career, Clemens helped transform our Advanced Surgery business by building exceptional teams, championing lean manufacturing, and recognizing opportunities that have positioned us for long-term growth. His leadership has influenced not only our business but also the culture of continuous improvement that continues to drive us forward today. We’re grateful for Clemens’ many contributions and wish him every success in retirement.
As I spent time with the team in Berlin, what stood out most wasn’t the building itself. It was the energy inside it.
I saw employees working together across functions, focusing on how we can continue delivering meaningful innovation for customers. That collaborative spirit reflects who we are and how we work.
This new site is another step in our journey. It strengthens our ability to support customers developing next-generation technologies in minimally invasive and robotic surgery while reinforcing our commitment to continuous innovation.
The ribbon may have been cut, but the real work, and the exciting opportunities ahead, are only just beginning.