YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
Minister Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Reinhart (Baden-Württemberg): “The people factor exists in medium-sized businesses, and the heart of the social market economy is beating. Small and medium-sized enterprises are acting in a committed and competent fashion out of the spotlight.”
On 18 September 2010, in the Hotel Maritim in Wurzburg, in the auspices of a celebratory gala in front of more than 600 guests, the most successful companies from the Federal States of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hessen and Thuringia were awarded a prize in the 16th nationwide competition “Great Prize for Medium-Sized Businesses 2010”. They stand out particularly for the following: outstanding complete development of the company; the creation or safeguarding of jobs and training places; exemplary attainments in the competition criteria “innovation/modernisation”, “commitment to the region” and “service/customer focus/marketing”.
Among other matters, Baden-Württemberg Minister, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Reinhart, explained on the evening of the Awards Gala: “The 'Great Prize for Medium-Sized Businesses’ of the Oskar-Patzelt Foundation is a success story, which I’m particularly happy about. Starting off as a private initiative, this business prize has gradually developed into one of the most important German business prizes, organised on a completely voluntary basis and without any kind of state finance. Medium-sized businesses are the actual innovation driver of our economy. With its economy-supporting prize, the Foundation ensures that this driver always obtains new energy.”
The President of the Bavarian State Parliament, Barbara Stamm, addressed the participants of the competition with the following words of wisdom: “You have all proven that you are measuring up to operational and social responsibility in a special way. A high level of motivation, strong identification with the company, roots in the region, social and voluntary commitment, sustainable, resource-conscious economic activities and, in particular, a distinctive sense of responsibility for the good of the company and that of its employees – all those are properties which are traditionally attributed to a medium-sized company and which you have applied to the success of your company in a noteworthy way.”
Playground equipment winners
Play equipment and urban furniture, qualitatively high-quality, certified, 100-percent made in Germany and also for a reasonable price? That was Holger Aukam’s business idea. With 20 years of professional experience, he founded espas in 2005. And he succeeded. In the meantime 15 EU community designs have been securing internal developments versus piracy. Of course, all equipment is TÜV-checked and certified.
The company’s motto is: “Move away from boring play equipment! They should be interesting and chic.” Functionality is key, and amusement and security in equal measure. Appearance is very important, and the product should blend into the cityscape and landscape effectively. Besides security, which is paramount, much stability, longevity, robustness and shapely design characterise these lines. The redevelopment in the house constitutes the play equipment of the product line espas-line. So, swings, hammocks, merry-go-rounds, platforms, see-saws, the wobbly bridge, balancing poles, spring animals, climbing games, benches and tables. The espas-line has found much popularity and has establishing itself in the market. From one job to 22 jobs, the balance sheet shows a turnover growing from nil to 5.5 EUR. And that is with an exception equity ratio for founders of 40 percent.
In 2010 espas GmbH was nominated by the Deutsche Post AG - Direkt Marketing Center Kassel - for the competition and, in the same year, awarded the prize.
The first documented evidence of an “Eichinger Carpenter” appears in the Röttingen Town Parish Register in 1438. With more than 500 years’ experience of flexibility and adaptability, we have managed to overcome the crises posed by the last decade. With our security experts, structural engineers, designers, draughtsmen and wood technicians, we have developed from a niche supplier to a general manufacturer that can be counted among the market leaders in its segment. Brand awareness amongst the target group lies at nearly 100%. For over 40 years now the company has been operating as an all-round supplier for educational establishments, specifically those of elementary school age and younger. The motto is “Encourage children – accompany adults”. The original idea was for an innovative piece of gymnastic apparatus with the help of which physical education, gymnastics and sport found their way into German nurseries. From this starting point, an entire range of movement education equipment was developed, followed by play and activity materials, features and playground equipment. The company transformed itself from skilled manufacturing to industrial procedures. The 290 employees, of which 26 are trainees, generate a turnover of 35 million EUR.
In the furnishings and equipment department the company has redesigned almost the entire range in the last three years. Its goal, abroad in particular, is to conquer new markets and segments and to build up new distribution networks. To date we export 50% of our products to over 40 countries already. We are renowned nationally and internationally for our initiation and support of creative educational initiatives.
eibe Produktion + Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG was nominated for the competition for the second time since 2009 by Landkreis Würzburg (District of Wurzburg) and IMBEMA Consult GmbH. In 2009 it reached the stage of being awarded “Finalist”, and in 2010 as prize winner.
Photos: eventDiary
