Faced with rising scrap rates and a tough supply chain challenge, Samuel Stutz, senior scientist for Greene Tweed’s Advanced Technology Group, turned a challenge into a breakthrough solution. With his innovative thinking and a holistic approach, he devised a process that salvaged materials, while reducing waste, keeping customer deliveries on track—all without compromising quality.

Recognizing his outstanding achievement, Greene Tweed honored him with our prestigious Innovation Award, which spotlights and rewards exceptional efforts to push the boundaries of innovation and collaboration. Shortly after he received the award, we had the opportunity to connect with Samuel to learn about his groundbreaking solution. He shared his journey, the impact of his work, and the challenges he faced in transforming a difficult situation into a success story.

Let’s start with what you’re being recognized for. Can you tell us about the achievement that earned you this award? 

At Greene Tweed, we pride ourselves on proactively identifying potential problems and innovative approaches to solve the problems.  When we noticed an increase in scrap rate in a batch of material used to build components for the semiconductor industry, we partnered closely with our supplier to identify and address the root cause. Thanks to this collaboration, we resolved the issue swiftly and effectively.  

To ensure our customers were unaffected, we adopted a creative solution to manage existing materials. By carefully refining our molding process, we ensured that only the unaffected portions of the material were used, with the rest being machined off. This allowed us to maintain high production standards while avoiding unnecessary waste. 

Our solution not only preserved efficiency and eliminated scrap concerns but also reinforced our dedication to sustainability and on-time delivery. It’s this kind of innovative problem-solving that drives our success and ensures our customers receive the best possible products. 

What does this award mean to you personally and professionally? 

I’m very proud to have received this award. For me, innovation is part of a continuous strive for improvement of our products and processes. Receiving this award is a testament to the recognition of this effort by the company. 

Do you want to acknowledge the role of any collaborators or leaders who played a role in supporting or nurturing the innovation process? 

Absolutely. I have been with Greene Tweed for more than 13 years and I’ve been working alongside an incredible team in Switzerland! The engagement of everyone, the friendliness, and our culture of debate are extremely stimulating. A big thanks to the whole team and a special one to Nicolas Weibel, Technology Manager and Director of our Swiss Site, who leads us through every challenge, and George Rawa, General Manager of SEC with his great leadership. 

What advice would you give to aspiring innovators at Greene Tweed? 

The word ‘Innovation’ comes from the Latin verb innovare, meaning ‘to introduce something new’. It applies to all activities of a company. When we think about innovation, we often imagine new products or materials. But imagine our industrial production without Ford’s introduction of specialized work, or Toyota’s 5S methodology, which revolutionized efficiency and lean practices.  

Innovation can and does happen in all aspects of our work. Keep your eyes and mind open to recognize problems or obstacles around you. When you find one, you need to go to the roots and clearly define it — What exactly is not optimal or does not work? Once a problem is clearly defined, you need to look for solutions. For this, you can slice and dice your problem, turn it upside down, and look at it from all angles. Innovation happens when you apply all your experience from other fields and discussions with your colleagues to solve bits and parts of the problem and come up with a new approach. 

Check out our previous winners:
Slashing Audit Times
Smart Seals – Revolutionizing Maintenance
Clean Energy Champion