Embracing Eurofins' entrepreneurial spirit with Joachim

With over 61,000 employees, the Eurofins network is a global leader in Testing for Life thanks to its innovation in technology and services. In this new series of articles, we will meet some of the leaders that are driving Eurofins’ success with their teams and the ingredient that makes Eurofins unique: the shared entrepreneurial spirit.

Let’s continue with Joachim (Joe) Reichelt, Senior Vice President Food & Feed Testing Europe. He’ll share his extraordinary journey with Eurofins.

Joe’s Path to Eurofins

With an 18-year long career in the food and private equity sectors, Joe came with a fresh perspective to the Eurofins network of companies when he joined in October 2019 as Senior Vice President of Food & Feed Testing Europe. Joe’s current team is made up of several thousand employees across hundreds of sites in 25 European countries.

Over the past years, Joe and his teams have emphasised their long-term focus of driving operational and commercial excellence throughout the Eurofins network of laboratories, implementing operational best practices, promoting innovation, and embracing digitalisation through AI and new information systems.

Teams within Joe’s scope have been driving automation and robotisation projects in laboratories across Europe to add to the efficiency and competitiveness of the Eurofins network. Eurofins Dr. Specht Express Testing & Inspection GmbH, located in Germany, focuses on pesticides analysis and ensures that the fruits and vegetables we consume are safe and healthy. With a team of 70 people, the laboratory carries out tests on 50,000 samples a year. Due to the fast turnaround required for these tests, the team has invested in a state-of-the-art robot to be more efficient and competitive on the market.

A unique Talent Programme for Leaders

Recognising that talent development is a cornerstone of any organisation, Joe and his teams created a unique Talent Programme together with Rotterdam School of Management: This Talent Programme aims to inspire and motivate leaders in Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Europe and help them to develop personally and professionally. Participants in the programme come from all over Europe and have diverse educational and professional backgrounds. Yet, what unites them is their entrepreneurial spirit and core values as they lead their teams in the shared Eurofins mission of Testing for Life. The Talent Development Programme for leaders focuses on essential topics such as strategy, leadership, customers, financial acumen, change management, and culminates in an important strategic impact project.

The Eurofins Difference

When asked what makes the Eurofins network unique, Joe’s response is clear: Eurofins is a decentralised network with a diverse portfolio that covers various market segments. This diversity fosters resilience and agility, essential attributes in today's rapidly changing business landscape. The network’s global presence also proves advantageous to the extent to which it can make a positive impact and provide support during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows the Eurofins laboratories and teams to adapt and respond quickly and effectively.

Finally, the spirit of entrepreneurship which is core to the Eurofins DNA sets the network apart, Eurofins employees are driven by making a positive impact to the health and safety of the world, in our rapidly evolving world that means every day there is a new challenge, and as a result new opportunities for our employees to thrive and grow within the network, embrace new technologies and work to expand our offering to our clients around the world.  

According to Joe, the Eurofins network also stands out due to its continuous growth strategy, willingness to invest and long-term vision of the shareholders.

Eager to become an entrepreneur in a global network of companies? Visit our careers website now: careers.eurofins.com.