"The crystal horse stands for joint success, positive thinking, creativity, perseverance and skill," emphasized Rochus Mayer at the presentation of the award and the accompanying certificate. Prototyp ordered the first Junker grinding machine in 1966. It was an SJ IIa and the 41st machine to leave Junker at the time. From this first order, a partnership based on professionalism and trust has grown continuously.

Walter AG, of which Prototyp is a part, is one of the world's leading metalworking companies. As a machining specialist, Walter offers a comprehensive range of precision tools for milling, turning, drilling and threading. The company's engineering expertise covers the entire machining process. Walter employs around 3,500 people and serves customers in over 80 countries around the world with numerous subsidiaries and sales partners.

The neighboring valley of Zell am Harmersbach and Nordrach are only a few minutes apart. "The proximity to each other has always led to healthy competition. Each of the two companies always wanted to be that little bit better. Today you would say it was a win-win situation," noted Managing Director Mayer.

Diverse and deep connections, as well as a professional approach paired with absolute reliability, characterize this special business relationship. It was therefore a personal matter for Rochus Mayer to present the award to Prototyp Managing Director Karl F. Lehmann, who is retiring in the middle of the year. Since he took over as Managing Director in 2009, the relationship between the companies has intensified further. Managing Director Lehmann accepted the award together with Bernd Schwendemann from Strategic Purchasing. The links between the Junker Group and the Zell tool manufacturer are manifold. Rochus Mayer recalled that Erwin Junker had worked at Prototyp before becoming self-employed.

Prototype Managing Director Karl F. Lehmann was an employee at Junker in Nordrach. As a student, he completed two practical semesters there and wrote his thesis in mechanical engineering. Karl F. Lehmann emphasized that his knowledge of mechanical engineering had helped him a great deal in his professional career. It was also beneficial for Junker when a completely new plant for the production of taps was set up in India under the direction of Karl F. Lehmann. "Junker grinding machines are also used there, so we had a reference customer for the Indian market," emphasized Managing Director Rochus Mayer.

"We have experienced a lot together and also achieved a lot," he summarizes the more than 50-year business partnership. As part of the handover, Prototyp placed the order for the Jumaximat cutting tool grinding machine. It is the 50th grinding machine to be installed in Prototyp's machine park.