Born the son of a physician near Neu Ulm, Germany, Ludwig Simmet’s innate love and care for animals was nurtured from infancy by his parents. Driven by his strong connection to animals and country living, Dr. Simmet studied at the Veterinary School of the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich (LMU) where he received his veterinary degree in 1953. In the same year, Dr. Simmet was one of the first few veterinarians who officially qualified as a “Specialist DVM for Artificial Insemination” under Prof. Baier at the LMU in Munich. From that time, the events and doors of opportunity that opened laid the foundation for Dr. Simmet to become an influential leader and pioneer in the development of the artificial insemination industry. For the next 11 years Dr. Simmet worked as a practicing veterinarian. During that time he provided veterinary oversight and management of an A.I. center in Pocking, Germany. In 1964 Dr. Simmet sold his veterinary practice and took on a fulltime position at the Niederbayerische Besamungsgenossenschaft Landshut-Pocking eG (NBG) to manage all production and veterinary related aspects of that A.I. organization.

While in Sweden in 1960 to study the use of A.I. in that country, Dr. Simmet was introduced to artificial insemination in swine. He wrote that he was, “…convinced on the spot that A.I. in pigs could offer farmers in Germany tremendous and immediate advantages.” In the same year he and his wife, Irmingard, returned to Sweden to learn all they could about A.I. in swine. Because of the foresight of the Board of Directors of the A.I. center in Pocking and Dr. Simmet’s enthusiasm it was still in the same year that a boar stud was established. This boar stud became one of the first such A.I. centers in the world.

It was also during this decade that Dr. Simmet, with the full support of his wife and the Board of Directors of the NBG, designed and developed the patented Minitüb system for the cryopreservation of bull semen with the Minitüb straws. This innovation incorporates the first fully automated packaging of bull semen and the routine use of 0.3 cc straws in the world. The year 1970 was a milestone and new chapter as the Simmets established the Minitüb company in Germany for the research and development of products and technologies to advance A.I. in domestic animals. Today, livestock producers around the world rely on products and technologies developed and manufactured by Minitube.

The rich heritage of Dr. Ludwig Simmet continues as his sons, Florian, Ludwig, Christian and Rudolf with their families build on the foundation laid by their parents. Today the family of Minitube companies provides direct support to their customers worldwide. In 2004, Dr. Ludwig Simmet experienced the culmination of a life-long dream when he and his family attended the opening of the Minitube International Center for Biotechnology in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, USA. Here scientists continue to advance animal reproduction through research, development, education and commercial application of assisted reproduction technologies.

Dr. Simmet's work, principles and accomplishments have been instrumental in developing artificial reproduction technologies for many species. His legacy will be carried into the future by the dedicated staff of all the Minitube companies throughout the world as they continue to advance animal reproduction with new and improved technologies.