Innovation Requires Vision, Courage, and Dedicated People

From Bob Hamilton

When my grandfather Clark Hamilton was tinkering in his garage in Whittier, California, he laid the foundation for an extraordinary success story: Hamilton. With the invention of the microliter syringe, it became possible for the first time to precisely and reproducibly dispense liquids in the microliter range – an innovation that revolutionized chromatography. To this day, the microliter syringe remains an essential tool in every laboratory.

Over the years, the dispensing of tiny liquid volumes has been further developed and automated. Today, our state-of-the-art platforms enable laboratories around the world to transfer liquids fully automatically and with the highest throughput.

A Motel, a Vision – The Founding of Hamilton Medical

In 1983, a new success story began – not in a garage, but in a small motel in Bonaduz. Shortly before, Swiss engineer Amadeo Meyer had placed an ad in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung seeking an investor. His goal: to integrate a microprocessor into a ventilator to make it smarter and more efficient.

My father Steve met with him – and that meeting marked the birth of Hamilton Medical.

A Difficult Beginning

What followed was anything but easy: a small, close-knit team worked day in and day out behind concrete walls. There was constant tinkering, rethinking, and scrapping of ideas – and more often than not, costs outweighed progress. But my father remained steadfast in his vision: automated ventilation. He saw the potential, not the risk. And it was precisely that belief that made all the difference.

This story reminds me – and our amazing team – how important it is to have a vision. It is the foundation of any long-term innovation. A vision gives you the courage to explore new paths – even when success still seems far away.

And the courage has paid off: Today, one in five ventilators worldwide comes from Hamilton Medical. Without the vision and determination that started it all, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Even now, we pursue a clear goal: We are fully committed to supporting medical teams around the world in providing the best possible ventilation care – for every person, everywhere in the world.

This principle applies not only to companies like ours – but to each and every individual. Whether in professional or personal life: A vision provides direction, gives meaning, and helps overcome even the greatest challenges.

Innovation Is Hard Work

But is it really that simple? Of course not. Our story is marked by groundbreaking developments – but also by setbacks, detours, and tough decisions. Innovation is not a straight path. It requires perseverance, courage, and the willingness to embrace mistakes.

There were moments when even we doubted a project. Some ideas had to be let go. But this is a key point: failure is part of the process. It must not only be accepted, but actively allowed. Even better: we should see it as a learning opportunity. The courage to fail is the foundation for daring to achieve great things. And this courage starts at the top – with management – and extends to every single team. Because in addition to a clear vision, what’s also needed is the right company culture and an environment that makes innovation possible.

People with Passion

Ultimately, it all comes down to the most important factor: people. Innovation is driven by employees who pursue a goal with passion, who contribute with both heart and mind. When there is a shared vision, the environment is right, and the culture is supportive great things can happen – in every department, at every workplace. Innovation has no fixed location. It simply needs space to unfold. Our task is to create that space – and to empower people to unlock their potential.

With a strong vision, a supportive culture, and passionate people, organizations can achieve remarkable things. We are proud that the spirit of innovation, which once began in my grandfather’s garage, still lives on in our company today. Preserving and carrying it forward – that is one of my most important responsibilities.