Grand Prix of Medium-Sized Businesses: Schmalz has won!

Good, better, best - J. Schmalz GmbH has already been able to celebrate success at the "Großer Preis des Mittelstandes" three times: In 2009, the vacuum expert was nominated for the first time, in 2019 it reached the round of finalists and this year it is a laureate of the coveted award. There was special praise for the collaborations Schmalz has entered into: with five schools in the district, with several colleges and universities, and with a number of Fraunhofer institutes. The Life+ program, which includes flexible working time models and comprehensive childcare, was also highlighted in the laudation - as was the careful use of resources and the use of renewable energy sources.

The "Großer Preis des Mittelstandes" (Grand Prix of Medium-Sized Businesses) has been awarded once a year by the Oskar Patzelt Foundation since 1994 and is regarded as the most important prize for medium-sized businesses in Germany. The company from Glatten was nominated for the prize by the district of Freudenstadt - the nomination alone is the first hurdle in this competition. It proves that a company not only acts in an optimized business manner, but also is committed to social responsibility.

A jury then evaluates the companies in five categories: Overall development of the company, creation or securing of jobs and apprenticeships, modernization and innovation, commitment to the region, and service, customer proximity and marketing. Only those companies that are convincing in all five areas advance to the next round.