The Bavarian "Mittelstandspreis" is awarded jointly by the European Economic Forum e.V., the University of Applied Management (HAM) and other partners. It recognizes medium-sized companies that develop innovative products, respond quickly to changes, are sustainable and are perceived as attractive employers - in short, companies that serve as role models in their region, as "pillars of society". Altmann Fördertechnik entered the race with the maxim "Only physics limits us - together we overcome limits!" and was awarded the 2023 "Mittelstandspreis" as one of eight companies.
Wanted: Creative product innovations
Prof. Dr. Peter Steinhoff from the University of Applied Management and co-organiser of the award says: "The aim is to award companies that master special challenges with unconventional approaches." The jury, which also includes former award winners, came to the conclusion that this applies to Altmann.
The Upper Bavarian crane specialist from the Chiemgau region is proud to have already designed, produced and assembled several spectacular special crane systems for a wide range of industries.
Fig.: Largest cleanroom crane in the world - 2x15 to
These include the largest cleanroom cranes worldwide to date: two double girder overhead cranes, each with two synchronised hoists at 15 tonnes capacity and a span of 30 metres each. The fact that Altmann designs its special cranes in close consultation with the customer and can quickly adapt them to customer needs was positively evaluated by the jury. In addition to the category "sustainability and innovation", in which the crane manufacturer scored particularly well, three other areas were scrutinised and evaluated:
Resilience due to high production depth
Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it paid off for Altmann that the company has a production depth of 70 per cent. Gears are completely manufactured in-house. "We have found that it is even cheaper to produce ourselves. Even now, during the Ukraine crisis, we are largely independent of external suppliers and have the components exactly in the design and quality we need," says Managing Director Achim Altmann.
Fig. 1: Robert Altmann, Managing Director with his son Maximilian Altmann, receiving the prize. Photo: EWIF e.V./Alexander von Spreti, Munich
Fig. 2: All winners of the Bavarian "Mittelstandspreis" 2023. Photo: EWIF e.V./Alexander von Spreti, Munich
Sustainability has high priority
Thanks to a PV system and a cold-water heat pump connected to it, Altmann Fördertechnik is able to supply the factory itself with energy. In production, the crane manufacturer attaches great importance to sustainability, for example, scrap parts are remelted in the production of unfinished parts. When selecting suppliers, the company makes sure to work with regional companies: A metal cutting service as well as an aluminium foundry are located in the immediate vicinity. The construction of two new production halls was accomplished exclusively with local companies.
Attractive employer in the region
Even though Altmann's customers are located all over the world, the manufacturer is rooted in Albaching near Lake Chiemsee. Employee satisfaction is also shared on social networks. The employees appreciate working in a family-run company and living in a region where others go on holiday. Managing Director Robert Altmann says: "When dealing with our employees, we experience that they particularly identify with the products created, and we also encourage this. At our crane test stand, every crane system is comprehensively tested and each of our employees can see with his or her own eyes what he or she has worked on. That contributes a lot to motivation." His brother Achim adds: "We are very proud of the fact that our designers set standards in the industry with their achievements and are always working to push the envelope of what is technically feasible for our customers. In this way, we are constantly developing as a crane specialist."
Both managing directors are delighted that their role as an employer in the region has now been recognised: "Our employees share our passion for crane construction. That's why the entire workforce is happy with us that our work has been awarded the Bavarian Mittelstandspreis."
About the Bavarian "Mittelstandspreis"
The Bavarian Mittelstandspreis is under the patronage of Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament, and Hubert Aiwanger, State Minister for Economic Affairs. Since 2007, a total of 49 out of more than 450 nominated Bavarian companies have received this award. The "Mittelstandspreis" has been awarded for the 14th time this year. Since 2021, the prize has been awarded by the European Economic Forum e.V., the University of Applied Management (HAM) and other partners. Formally, a company applying must have between 50 and 1,000 employees and be family- or owner-managed. And, of course, it must be based in Bavaria.
Presseveröffentlichungen:
Internetauftritt Bayerischer Mittelstandspreis 06/2023: https://www.der-bayerische-mittelstandspreis.de/preis-2023/das-finale-23/
Wasserburger Stimme - 30.07.2023: https://www.wasserburger-stimme.de/blog/2023/06/29/bayerischer-mittelstandspreis-fuer-altmann-foerdertechnik/
Reinraum.de - 03.07.2023: https://www.reinraum.de/news.html?id=8920
moproweb.de - Milchindustrie - 05.07.2023: https://moproweb.de/news/home/auszeichnung-fuer-altmann-foerdertechnik/?
Rosenheim24.de - 04.07.2023: https://www.rosenheim24.de/rosenheim/wasserburg/albaching-ort48808/ritterschlag-fuer-spezialkran-bauer-altmann-aus-albaching-92379280.html
