Michael Bollack

We invite you all backstage and introduce the people behind our microplate readers. Today: in his spare time, he enjoys hiking and untouched nature, during working time he “breathes life” into our plate readers.

My name is Michael but everybody at BMG LABTECH knows me as MiBo. You know, we have quite a few Michaels at headquarters….I was born and raised in Offenburg, Germany and so far spent my whole professional life at BMG LABTECH. In 1993, I was looking for a company for my undergraduate electrical engineering thesis, I joined BMG LABTECH and never left!

Nowadays, I am responsible for the development of embedded software. What is embedded software? Well, it is the firmware, a “hidden software” that connects the interface users see on their computer screen with the plate reader itself and tells it what to do.

Since quite a few quality criteria of our readers are based on firmware, I enjoy the responsibility of having a big influence on how „smart“ our machines are.

In my time off, I like to climb mountains, ski, work with wood and spend time with my family.

Michael Bollack sits on a reader
Michael Bollack stands beside a CLARIOstar

What drives you every day?

To work, my bike ????

…that after so many years, I still have fun working in a good team with so many interesting and diversified things to do every day.

If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?

I see myself as someone “breathing life” into the “head” of a machine.

What is a typical day like?

Getting up – brushing my teeth – riding the bike to work - checking emails – coffee break - having meetings (sometimes) – working on embedded software – chasing software- and hardware-related problems - discussing solutions with colleagues (sometimes).

If I weren't so damn good at my job, I'd probably be….

A mountain guide, cabinet maker (meet Jarrett, another wood worker) or forest ranger.

What do your colleagues not know about you yet?

Actually, I hate computers and the internet (…at least Alexa….) ???? …sometimes less is more!

What do you like most about BMG LABTECH?

The working climate, the relationship among colleagues, lunch at our company restaurant. The fact that we all work quite well together to obtain the best possible results and that the success is shared among all the employees.

Favourite memorable moment from work?

I remember the time when we used to have “BMG sports” every Thursday evening and nearly 90 % of the employees used to join.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for BMG LABTECH?

Trying to maintain the familiar atmosphere from the early days while constantly growing as a company.

What are the values that drive you

Honesty – Reliability – Tolerance

Where’s your favourite place in the world?

On the top of a mountain! In general, everywhere there is lots of untouched nature and few people: Norway, Iceland, Canada, Nepal.

Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?

Alexander Gerst (German astronaut) as he was in space.

Which individual, living or dead, would you like to eat dinner with the most

Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama.

If you could choose, how would you decide… either/or questions

  • Hip Hop or Metal? metal
  • Cat or dog? Dog
  • Soccer or tennis? Soccer
  • Silver or gold? Silver
  • Rural or urban? Rural
  • Skiing or snowboarding? Skiing
  • Mountain or Beach? Mountain
Michael Bollack stands beside a reader
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