Belden Brand Receives TOP 100 Innovation Award
Hirschmann Automation and Control, a Belden brand, was recently recognized as one of the most innovative companies in Germany at the TOP 100 Award ceremony held during the SME Summit in Augsburg on June 23. For 30 years, the TOP 100 seal has been the only independent award for innovation management in Germany.
In the scientific selection process, Hirschmann was recognized for being particularly impressive in the categories of "Innovation - Promoting Top Management" and "Innovation - Climate" for companies over 200 employees. This is the second year in a row that the company has been ranked among the top innovators.
Belden’s Hirschmann brand, based in Neckartenzlingen, Germany, is one of the world's leading suppliers of automation and network technology. Hirschmann products are built precisely for demanding industrial environments. "Because we operate in the environment of intelligent manufacturing systems, we have to produce new innovations ever faster," explained Chief Technology Officer and Vice President Technology Industrial Automation Dr. Oliver Kleineberg.
Pictured, left to right: Carina Czapla, Ranga Yogeshwar, Dr. Oliver Kleineberg
In Oliver’s team alone, 25 employees are dedicated to innovation. But they are not alone: in 2021, a new idea management portal was activated where the entire workforce can submit and manage forward-thinking ideas. “At Belden, all employees serve as a ‘sensor’ and are encouraged to think about innovations for our products, as well as our manufacturing," said Oliver.
A record 550 companies applied for the TOP 100 award, and 300 companies went on to win the award (100 in each size class). Leading science journalist and TOP 100 mentor Ranga Yogeshwar was on hand to personally congratulate the Hirschmann team for being awarded for innovative strength and success.
"The old philosophy of 'close your eyes and get through' no longer helps in view of the many challenges [being faced]. What is required is a completely different, new way of thinking: open your eyes and [have] the courage to change! The TOP 100 in particular have the best conditions for this. Because they are small and agile, can make direct decisions and react agilely," said Ranga while presenting the award.