As in the year before, we are again nominated for the “Grand Prix of Medium-Sized Companies” in 2020 and have successfully reached the “jury stage”!

Out of a total of 4,970 nominees, consisting of small and medium-sized companies, business-friendly municipalities as well as SME-friendly banks, we qualified for the jury list along with 553 other companies – despite the Corona crisis!

Due to the current situation around Covid-19, the competition and award ceremony are subject to some corona-related changes this year. For example, the questionnaire phase to support companies was extended until 30 April. Also, the certificate was not handed over to us personally by an employee of the BVMW (Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft e. V., German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses) like last year, but sent by mail. The awards gala planned for August had to be cancelled and the planned awards ceremonies will take place at the regional events in Düsseldorf and Würzburg in September.

The annual motto of this year’s competition, “Setting Milestones”, is also very much in line with the current situation: It is a question of standing together and tackling the crisis together! Although many companies are suffering from the corona measures, the recommendation of the many nominees shows “that we are at the side of the best in this situation and together we set milestones” (Petra Tröger,board of the Oskar Patzelt Foundation).

For this year’s admission to the competition, outstanding achievements had to be made in the following five categories:

• Overall development of the company
• Creation and protection of jobs and apprentice positions
• Modernisation and innovation
• Commitment in the region
• Service and customer focus, marketing

According to the eligibility criteria, companies cannot apply themselves, but must be recommended and nominated by third parties. We are therefore very grateful for the nomination and would like to thank all those who stand by our side through their advocacy for our company!

In these times, it is solidarity that lets us master the crisis together. We are therefore very pleased that our efforts in the areas of employee development, customer service and regional commitment are receiving so much great feedback.