|  | | You are here: Home / Press / Latest News | | | December 20, 2006 | | | Every Inch the Portfolio Manager | |  | Beiersdorf Scientist Dr. Horst Wenck
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In the sports world "speed" is defined by the ability to react quickly to a stimulus and to perform a movement as swiftly as possible, against resistance if necessary.
Anyone who has experienced Dr. Horst Wenck on a surfboard, skiing or driving a car, will already have a fair idea that he does not appreciate a slow pace ....
But what really upsets him is when cosmetics industry competitors overtake him on the wrong side. In the past, however, he has often been able to stop that happening. On January 1, 2007, the head of research celebrates 20 years of service at Beiersdorf.
Keeping a balanced portfolio of projects
"Since companies all ask themselves similar questions, we must at least make sure that, more often than not, we have the answers ahead of the competition," says Horst Wenck.
However, speedy translation of research findings into marketable concepts and products is just one aspect. "I think it is important, if you possibly can, to have several options. Partly because it would be a mistake to give up trying if things don’t work first time. Partly because there’s no point trying to defy nature all the time," says the 48-year-old chemist, whose professional title might also be knowledge manager.
Like any fund manager, the Hamburg-born man must be sure to keep a balanced portfolio of projects, one that contains some higher-risk "research funds" that could produce huge yields as well as some "blue chips" with reliable returns at a later date. "I often don’t know what the day has in store when I gaze in the ‘crystal ball’ in the morning", says the boss of over a hundred people, all working as hard as possible at discovering new facts about the body and its functions.
The search for the "fountain of youth in a tube of cream"
"Biology is the signature science of the 21st century," says Horst Wenck. "People used to think of biologists as ‘bug collectors’. But since the human genome was sequenced, this discipline has assumed the central role in what is now called the life sciences." "Aging skin" – and the search for the fountain of youth in a tube of cream – will be a major issue in coming years, a subject for laboratory research, talks with colleagues from other functions and for specialist congresses. "We already have our eye on active ingredients that will not be available in products until 2010," he says, letting us into the secret.
Launch of the NIVEA sub-brand VITAL and Eucerin line extensions
After graduating with a chemistry degree Horst Wenck started work at Beiersdorf, and in 1988, when he had found his feet, he "went West" for three and a half years. In Norwalk/Connecticut (USA) he set up the product development laboratory. "A wonderful experience," he says, eyes shining. "I was able to hire my own staff and buy the equipment too." On his return to headquarters Horst Wenck became manager of the product development department (skin) and played a major role in the launch of the NIVEA sub-brand VITAL and the Eucerin line extensions.
He then headed the basic research unit for five years – during which time many innovative types of emulsion and sun blocker systems were developed. At the turn of the millennium Horst Wenck, who likes reading books on the social implications of globalization, became head of research under Prof. Dr. Klaus-Peter Wittern.
At home, Wenck has daily feedback on the stringent demands that young people place on their skin care products. Three boys and a girl between the ages of 14 and 19 keep their father in the picture. Their response comes with the speed he likes best: fast.
Read here the whole series "Brains Behind the Scenes":
Part 1: Dr. Franz Stäb, head of skin research
Part 2: Dr. Heiner Gers-Barlag, head of the “Basic Development Unit for Leave-on Products”
Part 3: Dr. Maria Langhals, head of product development for the face care and decorative cosmetics sectors
Part 4: Dr. Roger Wepf, Group Manager Microscopy
Part 5: Dr. Joachim Ennen, head of the Beiersdorf Test Centre
Part 6: Dr. Andreas Schepky, head of the Special Skin Care laboratory
Part 7: Dr. Stefan Gallinat, head of the molecular biology laboratory
Part 8: Dr. Ute Breidenbach, head of the "Dry Skin" laboratory |
Further Information:
Presse & Public Relations
Gunnar von der Geest
Tel.: +49 (40) 4909 2348
Fax: +49 (40) 4909 2516
E-mail
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