After a one-year break due to the pandemic in 2020, the Gründerpreis 2021 (Founders’ Prize 2021) was awarded in the Koblenz Apollo cinema on the 7th of September. The Founders’ Prize 2021 was awarded for the 14th time in four categories: Newcomer, Creative Entrepreneur, Succession Management and Lifetime Achievement.
The Founders’ Prizes acknowledge outstanding companies and business owners in the region. They are awarded for exemplary achievements in the development of innovative and sustainable business ideas and, in recent years, for the establishment of new companies. Their aim is to promote a positive start-up environment in the local region and encourage people to go into business for themselves.
Matthias Nester, Director of Sparkasse Koblenz bank is actively engaged in voluntary work related to regional development, not least in his position on the board of the Wirtschafts- und Wissenschaftsallianz Region Koblenz e.V. (Economic and Scientific Alliance for the Region of Koblenz). In his welcoming address, he said, “The Founders’ Prize is the most important and prestigious award for entrepreneurs and businesses in our region. This year, we are presenting the prize for the 14th time. The Apollo cinema is the perfect setting to celebrate today’s leaders of industry and the services sector. These pioneers are courageous and determined, they fight for their causes and are hugely creative and innovative. All these are ingredients for lasting success. But expert, motivated employees and the perfect conditions are also required.”
Bernd (posth.) and Michael Szczesny received the Lifetime Achievement award. Members of the jury voted unanimously for the brothers as their corporate development and great national and international success speak for themselves. Bernd Szczesny passed away in the summer of 2020 and was awarded the prize posthumously. In his tribute, Nester said, “Whenever metal is inseparably connected anywhere in the world, the probability that they are involved is high. They are one of the global market leaders in the field of welding technology. And their success rests on the success of all their employees. Identification with the company, teamwork and mutual esteem weld them together.”
Being honoured with this prize is very special and something that makes us at EWM extremely proud. Our thanks to the Szczesny brothers for their justifiably award-winning lifetime achievements. An impressive number of the Szczesny family and Executive Board were present at the award ceremony to honour the winners. The award was emotionally accepted by Michael Szczesny and by Susanne Szczesny-Oßing on behalf of her father.
