RK Rose + Krieger is one of the most innovative companies in the German Mittelstand / Award ceremony by Ranga Yogeshwar

Ranga Yogeshwar presented Managing Director Hartmut Hoffmann with the TOP100 award.

Success through entrepreneurial foresight: RK Rose + Krieger GmbH was awarded on June 26th at the German Mittelstands Summit in Essen as one of the most innovative companies in the German SME sector. Mentor Ranga Yogeshwar, "Top 100," honored the Minden-based company with the "Top 100" seal, awarded for over 20 years. Prior to this, RK Rose + Krieger underwent a two-stage scientific analysis process. The company can proudly call itself a top innovator for the fourth consecutive time.

In the "Top 100" innovation competition, RK Rose+Krieger GmbH particularly impressed in the category "Innovation Marketing/External Orientation": 75 percent of all suggestions for product innovations come from external sources. The machine builder, known as a full-service provider of linear, profile assembly, connection, and modular technology, uses trade fairs as one source. Here, executives survey customers and prospects about their improvement wishes or future requirements. Additionally, market observations and competitive analyses provide input. Furthermore, students undertaking dual studies at the Minden-based company analyze the product ranges of other machine builders for strengths and weaknesses.

Another strength of the company founded in 1972 is the organization of its innovation processes: top management relies on the Japanese method Kaizen. The core of this concept is regular quality circles where employees contribute improvement suggestions, work across departments on projects, and jointly discuss and optimize workflows and processes. "A company that does not constantly improve will face major problems," says Managing Director Hartmut Hoffmann with confidence.

The innovation success is evident: the Minden-based company, employing 220 staff, ranks among the top in its industry both nationally and internationally and holds six national and international patents. RK Rose+Krieger receives the "Top 100" seal for the fourth consecutive time.

Managing Director Hartmut Hoffmann emphasizes: "We have started to live innovation." Transparency is a key focus. To motivate every employee, the top innovator RK Rose + Krieger maintains open communication and shares key figures such as order intake and sales figures weekly with the workforce.

"Our good ideas and their quick implementation are a crucial competitive factor for us," Hoffmann further explains. "That’s why we invest a lot of time and effort into our innovation management. We rely on the creativity of all employees. I thank them for achieving the 'Top 100' recognition."

The basis for the "Top 100" seal is a two-stage analysis developed by Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke and his team from the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Vienna University of Economics and Business. The scientists examine the innovation management and success of medium-sized companies based on over 100 parameters across five categories. Ultimately, the scientific leadership alone decides which companies are awarded the "Top 100" seal.

This year, Franke and his team examined a record number of applications: out of 302 qualifiers, 234 companies made it to the final. Of these, 178 receive the award in three size classes (up to 100 companies per size class). The award ceremony takes place at the German Mittelstands Summit in Essen.

The "Top 100" are outstanding in every respect: 71 national market leaders and even 31 global market leaders are among them. In the past three years, the top innovators filed a total of 3,405 national and international patents. Nearly 41 percent of their revenue was generated from market innovations and improvements introduced to the market ahead of the competition (compared to an average of 6.6 percent for all SMEs in Germany). Their success is no coincidence: on average, top innovators invest 10.5 percent of their revenue in research and development (compared to 1.5 percent for all SMEs in Germany). Two-thirds of the "Top 100" are family businesses.