Interview with Dr. Jorge Ferreiro
After one year in his role as CEO of Membrapor, Dr. Jorge Ferreiro reflects on his work. In this interview, he shares his experiences from a turbulent year in the markets and an active year from Membrapor’s perspective. What conclusions has he drawn, and where is the company headed next?
Jorge, One year ago you titled the first chapter of your journey as CEO of Membrapor “We’re Taking Off.” How is the journey going so far?
So far, I really can’t complain. Compared to the previous year, we were able to increase revenue by several percent last year while also implementing important organizational changes. Key positions were filled with new talent, and we succeeded in convincing our customers of our new direction. Still, as with any flight, there were some pockets of turbulence. International crises and uncertainties have not diminished, making export business as a Swiss manufacturer highly challenging.
«Independence, stability, and innovation are the key to our success.»
Dr. Jorge Ferreiro, CEO of Membrapor AG
One of your clear goals was—and still is—growth. Are there any real growth drivers at the moment?
There isn’t one single clear driver. Cyclical industries are currently rather cautious when it comes to investments. Our customers feel that, and so do we as a supplier. Nevertheless, through targeted customer visits last year, we were able to reactivate several long-standing customers and turn them into growth drivers again. Geographically, we are currently seeing strong growth in India. Our sales team has invested a great deal of time over the past months and has done an outstanding job.
You stated that customer retention was one of your key objectives. What does that look like at Membrapor?
We take our customers seriously. We stay actively engaged with them. That is only possible through targeted monitoring of orders, direct customer conversations, and continuous observation of market trends. At Membrapor, we use a variety of tools for this purpose:
- Direct customer interaction, whether on-site or online
- Continuous monitoring of sales figures
- The use of AI agents for research and the early detection of emerging trends
At the same time, we have intensified our marketing activities. That is clearly resonating. Even long-standing customers are discovering capabilities they did not previously associate with us.
Membrapor has focused on electrochemical gas sensors for 30 years. Is this product technology still relevant today?
Absolutely. Market analyses show that electrochemical sensors account for nearly 35% of all sensors used for gas detection. The trend toward greater information and monitoring continues to grow steadily, and with it, further market growth is expected. Electrochemical sensors are highly robust and can operate even in very aggressive environments. Other technologies such as infrared or photoionization are, in my view, complementary technologies that cover gases which are difficult or impossible to detect electrochemically. This mix of technologies will continue to exist in the future.
Another indicator is the consolidation taking place in the market: all of our major competitors have been acquired by larger players in recent years. That clearly demonstrates the strong relevance of electrochemical sensor technology.
How do you ensure that Membrapor remains a top player in the industry?
We build our business model around three core principles:
- Independence: We are a family-owned SME with a lean organizational structure. This allows us to respond quickly and agilely to changes.
- Stability: We deliver products of the highest quality — quickly and without minimum order quantities.
- Innovation: With a self-organized development team and a clear vision, we focus our resources strategically and efficiently.
We will continue operating across various segments and position ourselves as champions through our expertise and know-how.
What is your reaction to the easing of the “Swissness” regulations — meaning that products developed in Switzerland but manufactured elsewhere may now carry the Swiss cross?
This is disappointing. It makes the internationally recognized quality label Swiss Made unauthentic. At the same time it doesn’t provide an incentive to Swiss companies to produce in Switzerland like we do.
What are the next destinations on the Membrapor journey?
Our highlight this year is the Sensor+Test trade fair in Nuremberg. We will present ourselves there with a fresh new appearance and showcase several product innovations. I do not want to reveal too much just yet. Internally, 2026 is our year of streamlining and consolidation: we are currently optimizing processes and introducing an ERP system to simplify and consolidate certain operations. In doing so, we aim to lay the foundation for further expansion of our business activities. I consider myself fortunate to have such a highly motivated team around me — one that is pulling the Membrapor train forward like a locomotive.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us.
You are very welcome.