"Continuing the Five-Day Work Week Routine": One Hundred Bavarian Entrepreneurs Embrace Daily Learning
In the picturesque town of Neustadt an der Donau, Intertec—a company renowned for its protective equipment in electrical engineering—is celebrating two significant milestones this year. Founded by Dr. Joachim Hess in 1965, the company marks its 60th anniversary, while Dr. Hess himself turns a remarkable 100 years old.
Intertec's inception was rooted in Dr. Hess's passion for safety and his focus on developing tailored solutions for electrical engineering applications. Over the past six decades, the company has built a reputation for providing protection and reliability in electrical environments, safeguarding both workers and equipment from electrical hazards.
The company's specialty lies in protective equipment designed for electrical engineering, encompassing safety gear and systems that prevent electrical accidents and enhance functional safety. Intertec's products comply with relevant international standards and focus on risk reduction in electrical systems.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Intertec's history is the humble beginnings of its protective devices. In the 1960s, Dr. Hess started the production in a rented garage, and he even transported the first protective devices to customers in his VW Beetle with removed seats.
Intertec's protective enclosures are not confined to traditional settings. They can be found in various extreme locations such as Greenland, deserts, high altitudes, and the ocean. An example of Intertec's protective housing was used in a measuring station set up in Greenland to study climate change. Remarkably, this housing withstood an attack by a polar bear, demonstrating the robustness of Intertec's engineering.
Dr. Hess's first interview via Teams marked a significant moment in his life, where he learned something new. The internet and computers, initially not something he desired, have become significant tools for him, enabling connections and innovations that would have been unimaginable in his early years.
Intertec's legacy continues with the second generation. Martin Hess, one of Dr. Joachim Hess's sons, is the current managing director, while Laurin, one of the four adult grandchildren, represents the next generation at the company. The Canadian location of Intertec also celebrates its 50th anniversary, further solidifying the company's global presence.
To date, Intertec has built over a million protective enclosures for sensitive electronic instruments, demonstrating its commitment to safety and reliability in electrical engineering. As Dr. Hess continues to work five days a week, his focus in old age is to help his son with creative solutions for details, ensuring that the company's innovative spirit continues to thrive.
[1] IEC 61508: Functional safety for electrical and electronic systems. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.iec.ch/technology/standards/list/iec-61508.html
- Dr. Hess's entrepreneurial spirit in electrical engineering led him to found Intertec, a small-business specializing in finance, safety solutions, and protective equipment, which has flourished over six decades.
- As Intertec continues to uphold its commitment to functional safety in electrical and electronic systems (IEC 61508), the next generation of the Hess family is poised to carry forward the innovative spirit of the company, ensuring a lasting legacy in entrepreneurship and small-business.
