Schmitz Cargobull is one of the TOP 100

On behalf of compamedia – the organiser of the competition – innovation researcher Prof. Dr Nikolaus Franke, from the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and his team examined the innovative strength of all participants. Considerations are based on more than 100 criteria from five categories: innovation-promoting top management, innovation climate, innovative processes and organisation, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success. The following questions are analysed during the review: are the companies able to create new products, new services, new processes and new business models? And are these achievements just coincidences or the result of a structured and targeted approach? It is also important how and whether innovations and product improvements have been able to establish themselves on the market (further information on the test criteria can be found at www.top100.de/pruefkriterien). Schmitz Cargobull prevailed in this scientific selection process to be selected as one of the top innovators.

To ensure equal opportunities, the TOP 100 seal is awarded in three size categories: up to 50, 51 to 200, and more than 200 employees. In the 31st edition of the innovation competition, around 400 SMEs applied for the award. 287 were successful and have carried the TOP 100 seal since February 1, 2024. A maximum of 100 companies can be awarded per size category.

About the TOP 100 competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 seal for special innovative strength and above-average innovation success to medium-sized companies. The scientific management has been in the hands of Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke since 2002. Franke is the founder and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. With 26 research awards and over 200 publications, he is one of the leading innovation researchers internationally. The mentor of TOP 100 is the science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar. Project partners are the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the BVMW association of small and medium-sized enterprises. The magazines manager magazin and impulse accompany the company comparison as media partners, ZEIT für Unternehmer is a cooperation partner. More information and registration at www.top100.de.