Early Life
Frank Blase's journey began with the founding of igus by his father, Günter Blasé, in 1964 in a garage in Cologne-Mülheim. Blase grew up around the plastics industry and learned about business from a young age. He later attended Texas Christian University, where he earned an MBA in just three years. This early exposure laid the foundation for his future leadership role within the company.
Rise to Success
Blase's career took off when he joined the family business, igus, in 1983. Under his leadership, igus transformed from a small supplier into a global player in the motion plastics sector, currently with over 5,200 employees and an annual turnover of over 1.1 billion euros. Blase's strategic vision and hands-on approach, including his direct involvement in the development department, have been key to the company's expansion. He is known for his passion for innovation and his drive to improve technology and reduce costs, with a focus on 'Motion Plastics'. The company also developed the world's first bike made from plastic in 2024.
Key Business Strategies
Blase has emphasized several key strategies. One is a commitment to research and development, with a dedicated R&D area for testing products under extreme conditions. Another is making it easy for customers, with online configuration tools to simplify design, specification, and ordering. Igus also fosters a company-within-a-company mentality, keeping smaller teams together to achieve specific goals. Blase's emphasis on innovation is also evident in his focus on 3D printing, where he sees potential for rapid advancement.
Philanthropy
While specific philanthropic amounts are not readily available, it's known that Blase is committed to sustainability, with a goal to be climate-neutral by 2025. Igus has many projects that are sustainability pioneers. Blase's initiatives reflect a broader commitment to responsibility, change, and the power of ideas.
