Interview with Valeriano Gómez, Director of Hach Lange
October 8, 2008
This year, the company celebrates its 75th anniversary. Has the company fulfilled the expectations formulated in its creation?
The objectives set in sales, generating employment and presence in the market, both nationally and internationally have been widely fulfilled.
Could tell us evolution of the company from its beginnings until today?
The beginnings of HL as a small part of the Danaher group were truly modest. The acquisition of the former German company DR Lange GmbH and the Hach American in the year 1999 marked the milestone of the rapid and significant evolution and development of the current HL. Both companies, acting as tractors of the group, have enabled the now achieved goals.
And what is its market share in Spain today?
Put it in a general way for the total of the company is difficult, to be present in different markets and to have two completely different divisions. In any case, we believe a share market around the 35 or 40 percent, which gives a clear idea of the current potential of HL.
How has it adapted Hach Lange to the constant changes and demands of the market and, above all, in terms of legislation?
HL is in permanent connection with the existing legislation and, consequently, researches and develops different solutions depending on the evolution of the different laws, in their own r & d centres.
What I would say difference to their products from those of their competitors?
There are many things that distinguish us to our competitors. Most notable is that we offer complete solutions for laboratory and process, provided in the form of comprehensive service: product, advice on the application, service technician and the experience of the professionals of HL.
In the field of laboratory it is important to emphasize that we offer our clients a collection of items used by an authorised Manager, which are sent to our Environmental Center in Germany.
And in the field of process?
In the process I would highlight the SC platform with digital technology, which can be extended at any time, as well as practical and simple sets of mounting, suited to the needs of the customer in each case.
His work is directly related to the water, an essential element in our society. How addresses issues such as energy saving, sustainable development and the environmental impact your company?
As in all large organizations, this is an issue of vital importance. HL it has its own environmental centre of management and recovery of waste, where they recycle and exploit both the instruments and reagents used, thus minimizing its impact on the environment.
What importance does you your company to the r & d?
It is a constant in HL. Regularly new products are developed in the two divisions of the company: laboratory and process. For example, we can say that in recent years we have launched new products such as the probe of ammonium NH4D sc, the new Pocket II for LCK, spectrophotometer DR3800 sc, able to compare the data in process with the lab,…
But no doubt among them the most relevant has been the Analyzer of dissolved oxygen by luminescence (LDO), which has enabled us to reach a share of market of 75 per cent for this parameter.
Your company takes part in Expoquimia 2008. What its main novelty at the fair?
First, Hach Lange wants to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the company with all its customers at the fair. As new developments we will present in this edition the new transmitter of 2 threads SI792 for pH, conductivity, OD and redox, with Hart, Profibus PA or Foundation Fieldbus communications, and the new probe of solids and portable turbidity TSS Portable.
What are the projects in the medium term of the company?
Continue expansion in existing markets, as well as gradually integrate our products and services to the industrial market.
Hach Lange offers complete solutions for laboratory and process.
Laboratory product lines
-Instruments for determination of pH, cond, ORP and OD
-Titration of Hach and Radiometer Analytical
-Photometers and colorimeters portable and laboratory
-Reagents for all the parameters from A to Z
-Turbidity meters: portable and laboratory
-Automation of laboratories
Process product lines
-Digital controllers
-Nutrient analyzers and BOD, cod, SAC
-Probes for pH, redox, OD and conductivity
-Instrumentation for analysis of solids, turbidity, and level of sludge
-Chlorine analyzers /Ozono
-Sampling and flow-meters