"Since the foundation of the company Zedler-Group has been struggling for the improvements in the technology, quality and safety of bicycles and pedelecs."
Another point that impressed the organisers in particular was the environmental and social commitment. As examples for this commitment they emphasized the motivational incentives for the employees to commute by bicycle or the fact that Zedler-Institut established a bicycle workshop which is open to pupils and asylum seekers for free.
Company founder Dirk Zedler is very happy that his company was able to make it through to the final of the economic competition: "The award is a great honour for us as well as a significant recognition of the bicycle. It underlines that Germany’s bicycle industry has gained in importance and no longer the need to fear comparison with other industrial sectors."
Annual prize giving ceremony
The annual business award of the German Oskar-Patzelt-Foundation is regarded as one of the most coveted business awards in Germany. In 2016 4,796 companies were nominated for the "Grand Prix of Small and Medium Business" in Germany, in Baden-Wuerttemberg alone these were 874 small and medium-sized companies. The companies themselves cannot apply for the business award, they must be nominated by the municipalities, associations, institutions or other companies. The competition criteria include the overall development of the company, its efforts to maintain jobs or create new ones, the determination for innovations, modernisations, regional commitment as well as service, customer proximity and marketing competence.
Author: Jürgen Wetzstein
