This year, Ryf AG, based in Grenchen, Switzerland, became the first commercially structured operation to be awarded the Solothurner Entrepreneur Prize.The jury awarded Ryf AG for being an exemplary model of how a commercially structured operation can successfully establish its identity in niches worldwide. In their report they write: «We recognize in particular the flexibility of the operation, which not only expanded its range to include technologically sophisticated, in-house products, but also added training, equipment maintenance and modification.»
In recent years, Ryf AG has grown from being merely a supplier of goods to a center of expertise on questions related to microscopy. The original sales point has been enhanced with the addition of production, demonstration and testing rooms. The company's founder, Hans Ryf, says about the strengths of his operation: «We have developed the ability to respond to customer problems individually and, at the same time, to find creative solutions which we can recommend and which we ourselves subsequently realize.»
Another strength is the Grenchen based company's immense know-how. When it became apparent, for example, that optimum illumination is a headache for many microscope makers, they set out to find a solution. In the USA, Ryf AG found a light source permitting the necessary illumination using light which is indirect and diffuse but similar to daylight. In Switzerland a high-frequency control unit was developed for this source which ensured the ability to control the light quantity. The sales figures show that the new development meets a genuine need. In the year 2000 alone, roughly 1,000 of these illuminators were sold.
