Eckhard Bluhm, founder and Managing Director of the „BluhmWeber Group“ from Rheinbreitbach, has received the „Premier Plaque of Honour 2017“ at the Grand Prix of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. The awarding Oskar Patzelt Foundation recognised the company's entrepreneurial strategy and innovative product development.
The 2017 Premier Badge of Honour was awarded to Eckhard Bluhm at the award ceremony on 28 October 2017 in Berlin. The „BluhmWeber Group“ deserved recognition in all five competition categories of the Grand Prix of the Mittelstand, emphasised Dr Helfried Schmidt, CEO of the Oskar Patzelt Foundation, emphasised in his laudatory speech.
The laudator presented numerous key data on the Rhineland-Palatinate Product and packaging labelling specialists out. More than 500 employees are active in ten operating companies. The company is strong in training. Around 40 per cent of all former „trainees“ are still active in the company. Turnover currently stands at over 143 million euros and grew by almost 30 per cent between 2013 and 2016 alone. The Equity ratio the company has increased to 75 per cent. [infotext]
Renowned SME award for outstanding performance
The Oskar Patzelt Foundation has dedicated itself to honouring the outstanding achievements of medium-sized companies. Every autumn since 1995, it has awarded the Grand Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to companies from industry, services, trade, crafts and commerce. Nominations can be submitted by local authorities, associations, institutions and companies. Twelve regional juries and a final jury determine the maximum of three prize-winning companies per region and the special prizes. The BluhmWeber Group was nominated by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture[/infotext]. Referring to the modernisation and innovation successes of the „BluhmWeber Group“, Dr Schmidt praised, among other things, Bluhm's 3D applicators to the flexible Labelling changing products and also the Markoprint X4 JET high-performance printing platform for printing on Primary and secondary packaging. Innovative processes for Tyre labelling and to the Coding on substances that can be activated with lasers should also be mentioned.
Bluhm's commitment to the region is also worthy of recognition. Since 1998, the Bluhm Fund „Verein zur Unterstützung Notleidender und Bedürftiger e.V.“ has supported charitable and social organisations and initiatives.
Eckhard Bluhm expressed his thanks for the award: „An honour like this spurs us on to further entrepreneurial excellence. For example, we are already looking forward to the expansion of our company headquarters with a new building next year. And with my three sons, who all hold positions of responsibility within the group of companies, we are also well equipped for the future!“
