The Way Ahead at Henkel: Investing in Innovators of the Future
Henkel, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany,and operating worldwide with leading brands and technologies in the three business areas of Laundry and Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies, runs an annual competition for students around the world designed to help participants learn about sustainability, and bring their creative and strategic management skills to the next level.
Kasper Rorsted, Henkel CEO, who is committed to innovation as the key driver of the company’s success, has this to say about those who participate, ‘You are the young talents we are looking for. We want to get to know you, keep in contact, answer your questions and listen to your ideas. Because you are the future.’ In the course of taking part in the challenge, young innovators have access to an e-learning platform and are encouraged to explore the focal areas of performance, social progress, safety and health, energy and climate, materials and waste, water and wastewater in two dimensions: more value and reduced footprint (Henkel, 2012).