35TH BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW WITH RONALD BACKES
Concluding our 35th birthday festivities we thought we’d share some insights about Diatron as a company and the awesome people who have helped write the company's success story.
“What I really like in my daily job is to be involved with all different departments of the company and believe me, I’m never bored”
In this interview with Ronald Backes Vice President Sales & Business Development and Member of the Diatron Board we talked about the beginning, the challenges and success stories.
Ronald Backes is the perfect candidate to have an interview with since he’s been working for Diatron for over a decade now. He worked with several major diagnostic companies in an International role, gaining knowledge and experience, before starting the role of Vice president at Diatron. Since then, he has been a crucial part of many of the Company’s business successes and new partnerships.
1. How did it all start?
Diatron develops, manufactures and markets hematology, clinical chemistry and immunoassay analyzers, reagents, controls and calibrators for both human and veterinary use. The company was founded 35 years ago in Budapest, Hungary by 3 engineers and soon it started to grow and expand globally, earning a well-known name in the laboratory diagnostics.
After the earnest beginnings, in 2016 Diatron was acquired by STRATEC, a global company based in Germany. STRATEC is specialized in instrumentation, software and smart consumables for in vitro diagnostics (IVD) and life sciences.
Today Diatron has partners in more than 100 countries and over 40.000 analyzers in laboratory use all over the world.
2. In your opinion, what makes Diatron reach the success it had and has right now?
"We work in a very competitive environment, thus we can’t fight only on pricing. Diatron is definitely recognized as offering quality product, great service/support and having a fast adaptability to the market/customer/compliance needs. This, of course, would not have been possible without our talented engineers, hard-working production team and everyone who work tirelessly on making Diatron the company it is today."
3. Do you remember your first time here? What was your first task/project you had to do?
"I started working as a Vice president of Sales and Business Development in 2011.
At that time our former facility in the 3rd district of Budapest had much smaller office space and production site. We were a limited team of forty-five employees with only two non-Hungarian residents. My first task was to implement an efficient Sales & Marketing team."
4. Tell us about your journey here at Diatron.
"My job is quite diverse including management responsibilities, technical discussion, travelling abroad to visit accounts or taking part of exhibitions, sales and marketing oriented meetings. What I really like in my daily job is to be involved with all different departments of the company and believe me, I’m never bored. I also have to work closely with people from different cultural backgrounds and in a multilingual environment. The world opened up even more from every aspect in 2016 when STRATEC acquired Diatron."
5. Tell us about the most memorable moment, which pops in your mind, when you think of Diatron?
"I really enjoy spending time with my team and colleagues outside of work. Company events are great examples because it offers a place to have fun and let a bit more relaxed. The Christmas party is definitely a great moment. It’s one of my favorite events where I get the chance to meet colleagues from almost all departments in a very festive environment."
6. What is one achievement (company vise), you are the most proud of?
" I’m proud about the fast growth of Diatron and retrospectively our integration within the STRATEC group."
7. What are the goals and plans for the future?
"Like every other company, Diatron have had its ups and downs. We had to face and overcome global economic challenges.
Despite all that, last year we opened our new office in Delhi ( India ) for supporting partners in the APAC region. As for the future, we are excited about upcoming events and business potentials and we are nowhere to stop doing what we love – to provide innovative, high quality laboratory products and services that contribute to the health and well-being of people worldwide."
