"Innovative success is the basis for economic success - and economic success in turn is the basis for the development of innovations" - this is the conviction of Thermik Gerätebau from Sondershausen. The company has been awarded the 'Top100' seal of approval for the way it puts them into practice (pictured: Anne Bressem and Ralf Schumann). In 2011, the manufacturer of circuit breakers achieved at least half of its turnover with innovatively improved products. For many products, it has a technological competitive edge of around five years. This is illustrated by the approximately 800 patents granted. In general, the family-owned company is far-sighted when it comes to patent protection: it does not only apply for patents when a solution has been fully developed, but often when the technical feasibility is already apparent. In addition, the company is experimenting in basic research with technologies and materials that have previously only been used in the aerospace industry, but not in industry.