Pure Safety
Interview with Dr. Simon Dietz, managing director of GfPS mbH
"Love it, change it or leave it." This quote from Henry Ford is an important motto for Dr. Simon Dietz, managing director of GfPS mbH from Aachen. In the family business specialized in microbiological, chemical, and physical tests in the medical field, they are ready to take risks and make quick decisions to "get things done," as Dr. Simon Dietz says. And to guarantee safe and reliable medical products.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Dr. Dietz, you are the managing director of GfPS mbH, Society for Production Hygiene and Sterility Assurance, an accredited institute that is at home in the world of cleanroom technology. Can you briefly outline how the company and its portfolio have developed over time?
Dr. Simon Dietz: The company origins date back to the year 1992, when my father, at that time the head of a hospital laboratory department, took the leap into self-employment and founded GfPS. In 2010, the company moved into its own premises, and shortly thereafter, I became a partner and managing director. We experienced very dynamic business development, externally driven by customer requirements, so that today around 100 employees are engaged in microbiological, chemical, and physical testing in the field of medical devices, and renowned companies appreciate the quality of our services. In Germany, there are fewer and fewer owner-managed service companies; many have been bought up by large groups that represent certain policies. GfPS places great emphasis on service; this is a unique selling point.
Wirtschaftsforum: Can you give an example of this service orientation?
Dr. Simon Dietz: Our mission and vision is 'Providing Safety' – for which we happily go the extra mile. An add-on for our customers, for example, is our podcast 'Reinraum Update', which imparts knowledge but is also an important marketing tool. Additionally, I am a member of the international standards committee ISO/TC 209 and regularly report on news in the industry. Last but not least, we use our LinkedIn channel to continuously share company and industry knowledge. For us, these are opportunities to provide added value to customers.
Wirtschaftsforum: We have briefly discussed the services of GfPS. What are the pillars of the portfolio?
Dr. Simon Dietz: We align our services to the customers' process chain; that is, we start by assisting in product development and look at how necessary process steps can be integrated later. We support customers in their manufacturing environment; in medical devices, these are often cleanrooms. Here we can measure and monitor. We handle packaging testing, transport simulations, and aging studies. My father started with purely microbiological tests; today we also offer physical, chemical, and probably in the future biological tests.
Wirtschaftsforum: You are a managing director, lecturer at FH Aachen, member of various committees and thus both a recognised and committed industry expert. How do you see your role in the company and what impulses do you want to give it?
Dr. Simon Dietz: With around 100 employees, we have reached a size that requires more and more strategic thinking and planning. Against this backdrop, I am more of a strategically acting managing director, but I still intervene operationally, visiting customers in person, carrying out measurements myself. I enjoy this very much because I do not want to lose touch with the customers. As for impulses, we are currently working on digitalizing our services. For us, it's about more than turning a paper document into a digital file. We want digitalization with sense and comprehension – which is a time and cost-intensive challenge. At the same time, we must continue to look left and right, think outside the box, and observe what customers and competitors are doing.
Wirtschaftsforum: When we talk about digitalization, we need to talk about AI. What role does artificial intelligence play for the GfPS?
Dr. Simon Dietz: As an accredited service institute, we are not allowed to use AI when it comes to customer data. Accreditation bodies and legal authorities are currently looking into how to handle customer data. A major issue that we take very seriously here is software validation. In marketing, on the other hand, we have a different situation; here we use AI as a support.
Wirtschaftsforum: The GfPS has grown by between 5 and 10% in recent years. What do you think are the reasons for this growth?
Dr. Simon Dietz: We have generated more revenue by expanding the portfolio and are cautiously optimistic that we can maintain this course. For me, as the responsible managing director, it is important to take risks and to take action. Certain decisions can be made quickly and because of personal guarantees and risks, I can act swiftly. It is crucial to be consistent in this. I inherited this attitude from my father and it is for me a fundamental task of an entrepreneur. Another success factor is the willingness to listen – at the regulatory level, at the customer level, and internally. Even with our size, there is still a willingness to exchange ideas regularly.
Wirtschaftsforum: You spoke about digitalization, which should be more in focus in the future. Are there further plans?
Dr. Simon Dietz: Automation to support employees will be an important topic. Personally, I look forward to being able to shape the transformation of the economy in the future. Last but not least, as an active Christian, I want to integrate certain attitudes and values into everyday professional life and constantly develop both the company and myself.