Werner Schmid GmbH Sweeps the German Stevie Awards

Fulda, March 7, 2019. A major success for Werner Schmid GmbH: at the 5th German Stevie Awards, the Fulda-based company won four of the coveted awards.

The German Stevie Awards are the most diverse business awards in Germany and have been held five times since 2015. They are part of the Stevie Awards programs, which are among the most coveted business awards internationally. For more than a decade, the Stevie Awards have been recognizing achievements in the business world through programs such as the International Business Awards® and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. At the German Stevie Awards, all companies and organizations in Germany are eligible to submit entries.

Each year, the Stevie Awards programs receive well over 12,000 entries from more than 70 countries worldwide. By honoring companies and organizations of all sizes and types, as well as the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding achievements in the business world worldwide.

In categories such as “Company of the Year,” “Manager of the Year,” and “Best New Product of the Year,” nearly 400 entries from across Germany were considered again this year. The winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards were evaluated by approximately 50 executives from all over Germany.

Werner Schmid GmbH emerged victorious in four categories and can celebrate winning four Gold Stevie Awards. The supplier of technically sophisticated metal and plastic molded parts was named Company of the Year in the “Manufacturing/Production” category. The company was recognized, among other things, for its investment initiatives in recent years, its technical and structural advancements, and, not least, its clear commitment to its Fulda location.

In addition, the managing partners Matthias (38) and Joachim Hauß (34) were honored as Entrepreneurs of the Year (also in the “Manufacturing/Production” category). In addition to the company’s strong performance, the jury particularly highlighted its strong commitment to the region, especially to Perspektiva. “Many small and medium-sized businesses can take a cue from this model,” the jury wrote in its statement.

Accordingly, Werner Schmid’s social commitment was also recognized with the Gold Stevie Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year in the “Companies with up to 2,500 Employees” category. Here, too, the wide-ranging commitment to Perspektiva and Antonius played a role, as did efforts toward environmental protection as part of the certified environmental management system and initiatives such as “Energy Scouts,” as well as the health management program, which was awarded the IHK “Healthy Work in FD” distinction.

Our long-standing managing director and partner, Monika Hauß-Schmid, was also bestowed a very special honor: she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Gold (in the “Industrial Goods” category). This recognized her for the company’s sustained positive growth over the long term. The jury also recognized her long-standing commitment to the region. Of particular note are her decades of service on the advisory board of Perspektiva – of which she became a founding partner with Werner Schmid in 1999 – and her work as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) from 2009 to 2019.

In its statement, the jury wrote: “It is impressive to see the level of dedication and passion with which Ms. Hauß-Schmidt is committed to society and the Fulda region. The issue of inclusion still receives far too little attention in our society, which is why it is all the more important that there are people like Ms. Hauß-Schmidt who take up this cause and give people with disabilities a chance in the labor market. […] Monika Hauß-Schmidt is a role model for entrepreneurship, especially for female entrepreneurs or those who aspire to become entrepreneurs.”

Managing Directors Matthias and Joachim Hauß are delighted with the awards: “This year was our first time participating in the Stevie Awards. “The fact that we were able to win the Gold Stevie Award in four such prestigious categories is, of course, a very special honor for our company. We are proud of this award and would like to thank all our employees whose hard work has helped make Werner Schmid GmbH such a strong company.”

The entrepreneurs consider the Lifetime Achievement Award for Monika Hauß-Schmid a very special honor. This award was presented for the first time in 2019, making Ms. Hauß-Schmid one of the first recipients.

“We are particularly delighted by this honor for our mother. After all, through her life’s work, she laid the foundation for our success today – and thus also for the other awards.”

By winning four Gold Stevie Awards, Werner Schmid GmbH joins the ranks of renowned winners. Among the companies also honored with Gold Stevie Awards in 2019 are Telekom Deutschland, Deutsche Bahn, R+V Betriebskrankenkasse, Würth, Telefónica Germany, Deutsche Bank, and Fresenius.

The awards, affectionately known as the “Stevies” – derived from the Greek word “Stephanos,” meaning “the crowned one” – will be presented to the winners on May 3, 2019, during a festive awards ceremony in Munich. The winner of the Grand Stevie Award will also be selected from among the award recipients. This winner will be announced during the awards ceremony.

“We are delighted to once again honor outstanding and, above all, innovative winners as part of the German Stevie Awards this year,” says Michael Gallagher, President and Founder of the Stevie Awards. “It will be a pleasure to celebrate the winners at the awards ceremony in Munich on May 3. We congratulate all of this year’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners.”