New to the job, but backed by 125+ years of experience

Career starters work with knowledge from more than 125 years of company history, while leaders gain fresh perspectives. This environment helps tesa develop customer-oriented solutions faster and better—thanks to people who purposefully use AI as an innovation accelerator.

At tesa, the focus is on a fundamental mindshift: every employee becomes an AI pioneer from their very first day. The holistic AI enablement program goes beyond tools to create a new culture of innovation throughout the company..

AI empowerment means more than just using AI tools. Our employees independently develop customized AI solutions, implement intelligent agents, and build cross-functional agent networks. The core idea: we enhance existing expertise with AI capabilities. When our entire workforce identifies and implements relevant AI use cases in their specific fields, we create sustainable competitive advantages across the organization. Employees tailor AI tools to their areas of expertise, making workflows more efficient.

The real challenge lies not in technology, but in organizational transformation: How do we effectively scale from successful pilot projects to company-wide implementation?

Many companies have already gained positive initial experiences with AI. Use cases are delivering promising results, specialist departments are showing interest, and individual teams are working productively with AI tools. The question is: How can these successes be systematically transferred to the entire organization?

tesa's experience shows that sustainable AI transformation is fundamentally a holistic task. The key is developing an organization that can systematically use and scale AI. This requires a crucial shift in perspective—from "Which AI tools can we use?" to "How should we design our organization so AI can realize its full potential?"

tesa's integrated approach rests on three equally important pillars: Technology, Data, and People. All three must develop in parallel—neglecting any one puts the entire transformation at risk.

AI applications are only as good as the data behind them. tesa uses a comprehensive data strategy built on three principles: harmonization, centralized accessibility, and clear governance.

Over the years, product development has generated extensive test data across various systems. By systematically structuring this data into a data lake architecture, we can now answer technical customer inquiries much faster and more accurately. Tasks that once required time-consuming manual research are now handled through consolidated, AI-powered analyses.

Data governance isn't a one-time project—it's an ongoing process with clear responsibilities, standards, and controls. This approach creates a reliable single source of truth that serves as the foundation for scalable AI applications.

Technology and data infrastructure reach their full potential only when people use them competently and confidently. That's why systematic AI empowerment is a key investment.

tesa's approach operates on multiple levels. It ensures transparency about the goals and consequences of AI transformation. It fosters open communication around questions like "What is AI being used for?", "What does this mean for existing roles?", and "Which new skills are becoming relevant?" It also provides structured training programs. The tesa AI Academy offers tailored trainings—over 1,000 employees used them in the first week after launch. More than 90 AI Ambassadors worldwide act as multipliers and contact persons within their teams. This decentralized structure ensures support is available where it's needed most: in the specialist departments themselves.

A special milestone was the Global AI Day in February 2025, when employees worldwide experienced and tried out AI firsthand. Such events build knowledge, enthusiasm, and willingness to test new ways of working.

Internal surveys reflect this success: over 70% of employees rate tesa's AI readiness as high or very high. Equally important, employees are increasingly developing and implementing use cases independently—a clear sign of successful cultural change.

The results speak for themselves: 30% faster insights into production data, 25% increase in efficiency through sales dashboards, and significant time savings when comparing offers. Across all applications, the return on investment potential of these AI initiatives is already clear.

At the same time, a cultural shift is taking hold. Teams no longer debate whether to use AI—they focus on how to use it optimally. Repetitive tasks are systematically automated, creating capacity for value-added, creative work.

In May 2025, the approach earned the DPOK Award in the "AI Strategy and Integration" category. The holistic approach and consistent AI empowerment of all employees were particularly recognized.

The question is no longer whether companies use AI, but how to integrate it in ways that create real value, empower employees, and enable sustainable scaling.

tesa's experience shows that success depends less on technology and more on an organization's ability to evolve. An integrated approach—one that equally considers Technology, Data, and People—lays the foundation for long-term success.

The transformation process is challenging. It requires strategic patience, substantial investment, and a willingness to question established structures. But the results prove it's worthwhile—not only in measurable efficiency gains, but in a new culture of innovation that makes organizations fit for the future. At tesa, young professionals today work with the combined knowledge of more than 125 years, shaping the future of industrial adhesive technology.