As a global innovation leader in the packaging industry, BOBST has announced the recipients of its Inventor Award 2025.
Recognising drive and innovation, the scheme rewards BOBST employees that have been granted a patent in the past year. The winners of the prize were chosen amongst numerous patents, judged on the potential commercial value, the technical advantages offered in terms of creating market differentiation, and the scope of marketability.
Two teams selected as winners
- Alexandre de Kalbermatten, Corporate Venture, and Thomas Hofmann, Lead Optical Microsystem Engineer, won for their automatic inspection system for checking Braille characters during the converting phase.
- Paul Hornick, R&D Senior Mechanical Engineer, and David Guillaume-Gentil, Mechanical Design Engineer, won for the motorisation of the supporting plate positioning in a sheet material processing machine.
Both winning inventions are closely aligned with BOBST’s vision for the future of packaging, as they automate crucial aspects of the production process, thereby increasing productivity, guaranteeing highest quality, and reducing waste.

Driving progress in the packaging industry
Sponsored by CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst and led by Sigrid Wagner, Group IP Director, the annual Inventor Award scheme was first established in 2020 with the aim of driving progress in the packaging industry.
Leonard Badet, Chief Technology Officer at BOBST, highlighted the importance of the initiative in encouraging and fostering a culture of innovation within the organisation: “This is the sixth year that we’re honouring our employees, thanking them for their dedication and help in bringing the BOBST future vision to life. It’s crucial that we continue to cultivate an environment of innovation internally, supporting the creation of groundbreaking advancements in packaging technology for the benefit of our customers, the end consumers and the environment.”
Caption: From left to right: Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO Bobst Group; Thomas Hofmann, Lead Optical Microsystem Engineer; Alexandre de Kalbermatten, Corporate Venture; Sigrid Wagner, Group IP Director; Leonard Badet, Chief Technology Officer at BOBST