Idea Management

The ideas submitted by WACKER’s employees help it to do things better and stay competitive. In 2016, the number of improvement suggestions submitted was up 6 percent year over year. The participation rate (number of submitters per 100 employees) and the total benefit rose as well. We revised the idea management system in the reporting period, and streamlined the processes for handling ideas. Employees can use the new system not only to submit ideas, but also to quickly and easily report safety-critical situations.

Since 1975, WACKER employees have submitted around 145,000 improvement suggestions. Over half of these – 79,000 suggestions – have been implemented, leading to company savings of €147 million. Submitters have received a total of €34 million in bonuses.

To maximize the benefits from ideas, WACKER has interlinked the Employee Suggestion Program, the Wacker Operating System (WOS) and Innovation Management.