Mink Bürsten wins Bundesbildungspreis

Mink Bürsten is the winner of the IHK's first nationwide education prize in the category 50 to 500 employees. Company boss Peter Zimmermann was thrilled. "It is really great that our company has won this prize." The managing partner perceives this as great praise for Mink Bürsten's efforts with regards to education and continuing education. "This means also public recognition of our efforts."

Heike Baehrens, SPD member of the German Bundestag from Göppingen, who took part in the award ceremony, likewise extended her congratulations. She considered the fact that the prize money of 6,000 Euro will be donated particularly commendable; it will go to the Staufen Arbeits- und Beschäftigungsförderung (work and employment promotion non-profit institution) and its Waldeckhof in Jebenhausen. "The Mink KG thus sets an example that people with difficulties in the employment market are equally supported. Congratulations on winning in more than one way."

After already winning the "Innovation Prize Continuing Education" of the Stuttgart region in the past year, the company Mink Bürsten now prevailed also in Berlin. "Improving ourselves together" is the current motto of the Mink Academy, which was established eight years ago. At its centre is a special kind of company culture. Company boss Peter Zimmermann is convinced that the long-term profitability of Germany as a site for production and development is possible only by integrating the knowledge of all employees. Mink Bürsten has developed education concepts that combine subject-specific content with this approach. One goal is to find suggestions for improvement, reports the company boss.

Subsequent to the seminars, the trainers support implementation of the ideas and ensure the transfer of knowledge to daily operations, said the jury in its statement of grounds. Each year, some 50 half-day or full-day seminars are being offered. "Since 2007, this concept helped to significantly improve both the motivation of employees and the profitability of the company", said the jury. The concrete effects are most gratifying: "This is evidenced by way of low sickness absence rates, low fluctuation, a declining rate of complaints as well as increasing productivity."