2 October 2019 – Düsseldorf. The Gelsenkirchen-based surface specialist Voigt & Schweitzer GmbH & Co. KG (ZINQ) has been awarded one of the country's most prestigious business prizes – the Großer Preis für mittelständische Unternehmen (Grand Prix for Medium-Sized Enterprises). At the gala event in the Maritim Hotel in Düsseldorf, the company prevailed against nearly 500 co-nominees in the competitive region of North Rhine-Westphalia..

The 25th edition of the Grand Prize for Medium-Sized Enterprises was dedicated to the annual theme of „Sustainable Business Management“. With this award, the Oskar Patzelt Foundation honours medium-sized enterprises and evaluates them in their entirety as well as in their complex role within society. ZINQ achieved top marks in the five competition categories: overall company development, creation and safeguarding of jobs and training positions, innovative strength, commitment to the region, and service and customer orientation.

Armin Laschet, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia and patron of the NRW competition region, emphasised in his laudation:

„Small and medium-sized enterprises are the bedrock of North Rhine-Westphalia's economic strength. (…) Since its inception 25 years ago, the Oskar Patzelt Foundation's business award has been promoting small and medium-sized enterprises and the values of the social market economy in the best possible way.“

In front of more than 500 invited guests from politics, business and the media, managing director André-Alexander Steffen accepted the long-awaited accolade: „A prestigious business award which we view as further confirmation of our corporate direction. The aspect of sustainable business in particular is the path we wish to continue pursuing together with our employees and our customers.“ It is not without reason that the „N“ for sustainability (Nachhaltigkeit) and the „I“ for innovation (Innovation) are at the heart of the ZINQ brand. „Since our business model is based on surfaces that last for decades, our technological aspiration must also be that sustainability can only be achieved through innovation and that every innovation must be sustainable. With our value-oriented approach as a medium-sized family-run business, we are making our contribution to a sustainable future in the field of steel surface finishing,“ adds managing partner Lars Baumgürtel.
The company's innovative strength impressed the jury during the selection process, as did its intensive support for young talent and its above-average regional commitment.