WirtschaftsWoche’s Sustainable Impact Award: Werner Schmid GmbH of Fulda Wins First Place in the SME Category

15.10.2026

Fulda/Berlin. Last Tuesday, the sixth annual Sustainable Impact Award ceremony took place in Berlin; the award is presented each year by WirtschaftsWoche, Generali Deutschland AG, and Lavazza. Across a total of four categories, the award recognized companies committed to sustainability and responsible entrepreneurship. An independent, interdisciplinary jury of 12 members from the business, research, and journalism sectors made its decision over the course of several weeks.

Werner Schmid GmbH, based in Fulda, achieved a major success: the medium-sized family-owned company took first place in the “Generali SME EnterPrize” category for small and medium-sized enterprises, ahead of organic food producer followfood GmbH and laboratory equipment manufacturer KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH. This makes Werner Schmid GmbH one of only four companies to receive the Sustainable Impact Award this year. Managing Director Matthias Hauß and Dr. Janosch Günzel, the company’s energy management officer, accepted the award in Berlin.

The decisions were close in all categories, as jury representatives emphasized at the awards ceremony. Matthias Hauß shares this view: “All the finalists were introduced during the event, and we were able to speak with several other finalists and award winners throughout the evening. I’m certain that every single one of them deserved to win. That’s why we’re all the more proud to be able to take this award back to Fulda.”

At the awards ceremony in Berlin, Werner Schmid GmbH was recognized above all for its environmental and energy management program, in which both of the company’s managing directors are actively involved and which is characterized by the integration of sustainability, innovation, and regional responsibility into the company’s philosophy. The company was also recognized for its commitment to disadvantaged youth through the “Perspektiva” program and for its health management program, which received the “Healthy Work in FD” designation.

Dr. Janosch Günzel (left), the company's energy management officer, and Matthias Hauß, managing director and environmental management officer, accepted the award on behalf of Werner Schmid.

Dr. Janosch Günzel (left), the company's energy management officer, and Matthias Hauß, managing director and environmental management officer, accepted the award on behalf of Werner Schmid.
Dr. Janosch Günzel (left), the company’s energy management officer, and Matthias Hauß, managing director and environmental management officer, accepted the award on behalf of Werner Schmid.

Photos: Marc-Steffen Unger / Handelsblatt 

For more information, see WirtschaftsWoche: https://www.wiwo.de/erfolg/trends/diese-vier-unternehmen-zeigen-dass-sich-oekonomie-und-oekologie-nicht-ausschliessen/100261810.html