As I sit down to write this reflection on the 30th anniversary of Berlinger Special AG, I am reminded of the depth of our history, marked by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to fair play in sports. This 30-year journey has taught us that overcoming challenges and embracing change are essential to our success.
Embracing change, a principle I have held dear since I was twenty, has been our guiding force, underscoring the belief that the only constant in life is change itself. This awareness of constant change is at the heart of our progress.
Central to the creation of Berlinger Special AG was the vision of Karl Egli, a family friend and former elite athlete whose experiences with the dark side of competitive sport inspired a determined pursuit of fairness and integrity. His first-hand insights into the prevalence of doping among athletes and the lack of effective anti-doping measures drove us to innovate. Egli was instrumental in the development of the BEREG-Kit, a major step forward in the safe collection of samples. This innovation laid the foundation for the establishment of Berlinger Special AG in 1998, reflecting a commitment to upholding the spirit of competition.
Our transformative partnership with the company 3M in 1992, born out of our existing customer relationships, was a pivotal moment in the history of anti-doping. It marked a significant evolution from the archaic practice of using wax seals - a method both impractical and unprofessional for securing doping samples - to the introduction of void tapes, which provided at that time a modern and reliable solution for sample integrity.
This evolution from wax seals to void tapes, the subsequent invention of the tamper-evident BEREG-Kit, incorporating advanced tamper-evident technologies and improving usability for doping control officers, have been instrumental in our ongoing mission to uphold the integrity of sport. Endorsed by Prince Alexandre de Mérode, then President of the International Olympic Committee's Medical Commission, our solutions quickly gained international recognition, with our products being adopted by over 40 countries within two years.
Our journey of innovation did not stop with the BEREG-Kit. Recognising the diverse needs of the sports and anti-doping communities, we have expanded our product range to include solutions for blood collection, equestrian sports, and temperature-controlled transport boxes, constantly evolving to meet market demands and ensure fairness and integrity across all sports. Our commitment to customer-centric behavior, knowledge transfer, and relentless innovation, integral since our inception, remains at the core of our strategy.
The success of Berlinger Special AG also reflects the dedication and expertise of our team. To all my colleagues and involved partners, I extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment and for being an integral part of this remarkable journey. Together with all our clients, employees and various partners and wide network in the sports area, we set the standard in the world of anti-doping.
As I look to the future, I am filled with optimism. Our mission to ensure fair play and integrity in sport remains as vital as ever, and I am confident that together we will continue to make a significant difference as we look forward to the next 30 years of continued success.
