Without it, research in the field of environmental and natural sciences would be almost inconceivable: for almost 30 years, Umwelt Geräte Technik GmbH (UGT) has been providing customized solutions and measuring devices to ensure that soil science and hydrological questions are answered satisfactorily all over the world. So successfully, in fact, that the company has even been invited to exhibit at EXPO 2021 in Dubai. Getting there shouldn’t be a problem: Since last year, the UGT South branch has been based in the Munich Airport Business Park, which means it is right next to the airport. Dr. Sascha Reth is Managing Partner of the company and explains in an interview what UGT GmbH stands for.
Can you briefly describe how, where and by whom your company was founded?
Umwelt-Geräte-Technik GmbH commenced operations on May 2, 1992. The company is a spin-off of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Land Research (ZALF e.V.) in Müncheberg, where both the company founders Dr. Manfred Seyfarth and Bernd Fürst as well as employees from the very beginning worked for many years in various scientific and scientific-technical fields. On September 15, 2008, the UGT GmbH – South branch was founded in the greater Munich area and moved into premises in the Freising-Weihenstephan Innovation and Start-up Center.
How would you explain the work of your company to a child?
UGT measuring devices can be used to observe and simulate processes in nature. A simple example is our lysimeter, which is a scientific flower pot. We make it possible to “visualize” the raindrop on its path through the soil.
Is there a topic that is particularly close to your company’s heart?
We try to focus on our customers in particular. Our slogan “more than standard” makes it clear that although we have tried and tested measuring devices and solutions in our product portfolio, we also develop customized special solutions. This is how we have made a name for ourselves on the global market.
What color did you give your company and why?
Influenced by water, we have chosen the color blue.
Who are your customers and what do you offer them?
Our products are mainly aimed at universities, research institutes, authorities and engineering offices – worldwide. For example, we have installed lysimeters in Mexico, the USA, South Korea, China and Australia. We support our customers from the initial idea through to the specification of requirements and maintenance, for which we are also regularly on site after installation. With the global success of our international lysimeter projects, the level of awareness and reputation of our company is increasing worldwide. An example of this at a national level was the awarding of the Grand Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to UGT in 2020, which is presented annually by the Oskar Patzelt Foundation. A highlight and sign of UGT’s recognition at international level is the invitation to participate in the EXPO 2021 world exhibition in Dubai as a member of the “German Pavilion” consortium with the “Ecoworm” exhibit, which sets milestones in the field of global change research and provides scientists worldwide with a modern tool.
Which professional groups work for you?
Today, UGT has an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and technicians at its disposal. Our employees have many years of scientific experience in the fields of hydrology, soil physics, geoecology and geography, biology and scientific instrumentation. Solid specialist knowledge, coupled with extensive experimental experience in the laboratory and field, form the basis for developing and manufacturing environmental equipment technology with a high level of innovation, quality and practical value.
Why is it worth working for you?
There’s never a dull moment at UGT! Every day we receive requests for new and exciting tasks. Thanks to the manageable size of the company, direct communication is possible and desirable at all times. There is also the opportunity to see something of the world. As our measuring devices are often used in remote regions, you get a good insight into foreign countries, far away from the mass tourism routes.
Why did you choose Hallbergmoos as your location? What advantages do you see here?
In 2020, the UGT South branch relocated to the Munich Airport Business Park in Hallbergmoos. Customer proximity and a focus on service are important characteristics and success factors for UGT’s work in both the national and international markets. With our customer center in the Munich Airport Business Park, we have modern conference rooms and technology to organize workshops and distributor meetings effectively and quickly. The proximity to Munich Airport also enables short and stop-over meetings with our customers.
Further information: www.ugt-online.de
Image material © UGT GmbH
