DUBLIN — Eaton Corp. plc has been named a Thomson Reuters 2012 Top 100 Global Innovator for its achievements as one of the world’s most innovative companies for a second consecutive year. The award identifies companies worldwide for their outstanding commitment to innovation, the protection of ideas and the commercialization of inventions.
“As a power management company, Eaton views innovation as a business necessity in meeting the needs of our customers and in addressing the world’s growing energy requirements,” said Ramanath Ramakrishnan, Eaton’s executive vice president and chief technology officer.
Eaton holds more than 8,700 patents globally and has generated more than 685 patents in 2012, encompassing all business segments. Eaton’s patented products include the AxisPro Proportional Valve, the XComfort Room and Home Manager and a digital fuel gauging system that weighs 40 percent less than traditional fuel gauging systems.
“Our desire for creativity, invention and discovery, are the engines that power innovation at Eaton,” said Ramakrishnan. “We have talented employees with a large appetite for intellectual curiosity and create an environment that encourages risk-taking, challenges assumptions and values learning. We are pleased to be honored for a second consecutive year.”
According to Thomson Reuters, the 100 companies named to the global innovator list outperformed the increase in revenue for Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index companies by three percent. This year’s winners also added more than 124,000 new jobs over their prior year employment figures.
“Innovation is the foundation for economic prosperity and technological advancement,” said David Brown, managing editor, Thomson Reuters IP Solutions. “Our Top 100 Global Innovator methodology demonstrates the insight that can be gleaned from the analysis of patent data and confirms the fact that companies focused on innovating drive growth and financial success.”
Thomson Reuters based its research on its own databases, and its methodology was based on four principle criteria: overall patent volume, patent grant success rate, global reach of the portfolio and patent influence as evidenced by citations.
To view the full report on the Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovator program, visit www.top100innovators.com.
