25 years of BIC

A look behind the scenes

For a quarter of a century, the Bauerfeind Innovation Center (BIC) has stood for progress in our product areas: from the further development of the GenuTrain to new solutions, such as the VenoTrain cocoon and the SecuTec Genu Flex. We are offering a look at exclusive photos that have never been published before – from the beginnings to today.

The foundation

The Bauerfeind Innovation Center was officially founded in 1999. It was Prof. Hans B. Bauerfeind’s mission to unite all of Bauerfeind’s research and development activities in the central headquarters in Zeulenroda. The “c” in the original German name “Innovationscentrum” was to emphasize the innovative character of the project.

Beginnings

Holger Reinhardt, the first BIC Director, swore in the team before everyone headed off to the foundation celebration at Schwarzbach lake in Zeulenroda. Together, they built a raft, had a barbeque, and celebrated. Today, 12 of those colleagues still work at the BIC.

Humor

Humor has always played an important part at the BIC, as these pictures show. Above: picture of a “colorful” Christmas party in 2003. Below: the name says it all and was even displayed on people’s pants.

The first product

The first product developed in Zeulenroda was the VenoTrain micro – initially in a garage in Hohe Straße, then in Hall 1. Using compression stockings as a model, new production processes were established.

Development of synthetic materials 

Right after founding the BIC, the development of synthetic materials was the top priority. The focus was on pads for supports and the injection molding process for foot orthoses. 

Tool making

Early in 2000, tool making became part of the BIC: that time saw the first milling machines, and tools for welding machines (see picture) were developed gradually to be able to manufacture products faster and more individually. 

Hall restructure

Since 1999, the number of employees at the BIC has been increasing constantly: from around 30 to more than 70 today. So it is no surprise that demand for office space also grew. Two floors with “glass boxes” were therefore built in Hall 1 during its restructure in 2013.

The Sports line

A special “knee support cake” was baked at the end of 2015: the team celebrated the launch of the Bauerfeind Sports line. This project was a milestone. For the first time ever, a complete portfolio which was also designed to be suitable for over-the-counter sales was developed simultaneously. 

Tradition

BIC colleagues know the area around Zeulenroda like the back of their hands because the team goes hiking together at least once a year, as in 2002 (above). In 2023, a patisserie in Stelzendorf was the destination at the end of the year.