The topic of sustainability was also the focus of the Grand Prix for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: this year, the organizers had proclaimed the motto "Sustainable Business". Companies cannot apply for the prize, they have to be nominated: District Administrator Dr. Klaus Michael Rückert and Parliamentary State Secretary Hans-Joachim Fuchtel had thrown their hats into the ring for Schmalz at the same time. In the end, Schmalz was named a finalist, which Managing Director Andreas Beutel received at a gala in Würzburg.

Award number two: The German Sustainability Award is one of the most prestigious prizes for sustainable corporate management. © Frank Fendler

Another award underpins the Glatten-based company's commitment to sustainability: Schmalz has cleared the next hurdle in the 12th German Sustainability Award and made it into the top three places in the "Medium-sized companies" category. The jury will announce its place on the podium at a festive awards ceremony in November. "Without sustainability, there can be no serious climate protection, as our finalists show in terms of sustainable management, because ecological and social courage must be combined with a sense of economic proportion," says Prof. Dr. Günther Bachmann, Chairman of the jury.

"Sustainability is very important to us - and has been for almost 110 years," says Dr. Kurt Schmalz, Managing Partner. "I am all the more pleased that the two expert juries have also recognized and certified our efforts in this area: Schmalz is not only one of the most sustainable companies in the Black Forest region, but in the whole of Germany. This is something that our employees, business partners and, above all, our customers can be proud of."

The fact that Schmalz made it to the top of both awards is not least due to the fact that the company acts in a holistically sustainable manner: The basis for sustainable management at Schmalz is a solid economic foundation, combined with social and ecological criteria. The company supports its employees in various areas of life, for example with the "Schmalz Kinderwelt" childcare center or with flexible and family-friendly working models. Furthermore, the company's production in Glatten is climate-neutral. At the same time, Schmalz generates a positive_{CO2 balance} through resource-efficient production processes, thereby reducing the impact on the environment. Schmalz customers benefit from products that have been produced with an exemplary_{CO2 balance}- and in turn save resources such as materials and energy.

The German Sustainability Award is presented by the German Sustainability Award Foundation in cooperation with the federal government, leading municipal associations, business associations, civil society organizations and research institutions. Schmalz's competitors included well-known names such as Katjes, Develey, Seeberger and Cewe. The Oskar Patzelt Foundation is the organizer of the Großer Preis des Mittelstandes, which is considered one of the most coveted business awards in Germany. It will be awarded for the 25th time in 2019. as