We are commemorating a decade of Dr. Harald Kraushaar’s exceptional tenure at Volpi. This interview delves into his initial reasons for joining the company and the evolution of his motivations throughout the years. With a solid foundation in biochemistry and a wealth of experience in the life sciences, Dr. Kraushaar has been instrumental in propelling Volpi’s growth within the optics industry. We explore standout projects and his personal development while uncovering Dr. Kraushaar’s views on the factors that have been essential to Volpi’s enduring success.
What motivated you to join the company, and how have those motivations evolved over the past 10 years?
I was drawn to join Volpi because of the chance to lead the company’s expansion in the optics business within the diagnostics and life sciences sectors. Having spent over two decades at Sony DADC in Salzburg, Austria, including seven years spearheading new business development in microfluidic consumables, I was excited to bring my expertise to Switzerland and help Volpi achieve its goals. My background in biochemistry and experience in life sciences since 2006 have allowed me to understand our customers’ needs and applications deeply. Working with Volpi has also given me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of the instrument measurement chain. Over the past 10 years, my motivations have evolved as I have leveraged my extensive industry network to drive Volpi’s growth and establish the company as a leading provider of optical measurement solutions in our field.
Can you share a memorable moment or project that stands out to you during your time here?
During my first year at Volpi in early 2014, my team and I successfully secured two significant product manufacturing contracts with the world’s largest in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company. This accomplishment was a pivotal moment that influenced Volpi’s advisory board to strategically narrow the company’s focus solely on the IVD and life sciences markets. This clear direction has proven to be persuasive in attracting numerous new customers. Additionally, Volpi’s comprehensive approach, encompassing development, design transfer, manufacturing, and life cycle management, has further strengthened our position within the industry. This project stands out as a defining moment in my tenure here, marking the beginning of a period of targeted growth and success for the company.
Can you share a memorable moment or project that stands out to you during your time here?
The move from Salzburg, Austria, to Switzerland brought with it a distinct array of challenges, but it also opened the door to numerous opportunities that have enriched my personal and professional life. To address these challenges, I took a proactive approach, channeling my efforts into my leadership position at Volpi. I made a conscious decision to engage deeply with Switzerland’s vibrant culture and local community. Immersing myself in the country’s breathtaking scenery and the lively cultural scenes of cities like Zurich and Lucerne has been incredibly rewarding. This experience has allowed me to appreciate and become part of my new surroundings and enhanced my ability to perform my duties at Volpi with a fresh perspective and renewed vigor. The integration into Swiss life has been a seamless journey that has complemented my role at the company, allowing me to contribute meaningfully while also growing on a personal level.
Looking back, what achievement are you most proud of?
Reflecting on my tenure of over a decade with the company, the accomplishment that fills me with the most pride is spearheading initiatives that have tripled our top-line revenue. This significant growth is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication, underscoring the strategic decisions that have propelled our company forward.
In what ways do you think the company can continue to evolve and grow from your perspective?
From my perspective, the key to Volpi’s continued evolution and growth lies in our deep understanding of our customers’ needs. Our focus should remain on mitigating development risks, accelerating time to market, enhancing performance and reliability, and optimizing product costs. Our application testing expertise and ability to process data measurements to ensure the highest quality has set us apart in the industry.
I am confident that Volpi will continue to grow, particularly by expanding our core services to include established customer assay testing, advanced data processing, and algorithm development for generated measurement data. I foresee significant potential for our company to further develop and excel in these areas.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career here?
I would advise anyone embarking on a career at Volpi to come aboard with a willingness to learn and a commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities. Seek out growth opportunities by embracing challenges that push you beyond your comfort zone, and remember to enjoy the journey. Perseverance is key, so never lose sight of the fact that our daily efforts at Volpi contribute to improving the lives of patients and their loved ones.