Mündersbach, Germany, 3 November 2011

EWM wins Goldjupiter award

EWM Hightec Welding GmbH based in Mündersbach, Germany is this year's national winner of the prize awarded by the German Economic Committee (WBA) as part of the European Federal Association for the Promotion of the Social Market Economy – Education – Work. Last Saturday the company, which has long been established as a technology leader, received this award, also known in the press as the "Business Oscar", during the Goldjupiter Gala held in the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden. This is the second occasion on which the WBA has awarded its most important business and training prize in recognition of EWM's social commitment. "Taking an active interest in people, including those in the vicinity of our company sites, is a matter of course for us as a family-led company," emphasised EWM's general manager Michael Szczesny, who was made an honorary senator five years ago by the WBA's federal senate. "So this honour is a welcome confirmation of the approach that we take."
The jury made their decision after evaluating criteria, which include initial and ongoing training as well as social aspects inside and outside of the company, and even the wide-ranging involvement in science and research. This medium-sized family company, based in Westerwald but employing 450 staff around the world, is exemplary for its sustained commitment to training and for the link between its commercial strength and its social activities.
The Goldjupiter is awarded on the basis of points awarded from a fixed scale, and EWM scored the most points this year. Since its foundation as a manufacturer of welding equipment, it has trained 175 apprentices and most of them were then offered employment. On completion of their training, about 25% of the apprentices then went on to further studies and are today employed e.g. as qualified engineers in all parts of the company.
Currently 28 young people are in training, of which 16 started their professional life just this year. At EWM, like all other staff, they can expect a wide range of benefits. For instance, this can include ongoing training options, a permanent range of health services as well as broad-based social security. "Our success is thanks to our team," emphasised Szczesny, "and we try to pay some of that back."
For years, EWM has counted on the high economic efficiency of its welding machines and its welding accessories right through to its own welding materials. Coupled with the innovative joining techniques developed by EWM, not only cost savings but also quite significant savings in raw materials and primary energy are therefore possible. This is well documented by the very recently created EWM eco-initiative called "blueEvolution" which deals with sustainable energy and resource savings. EWM technology thus makes a significant contribution to the reduction of CO₂ levels.
Numerous activities outside of the company also led to being awarded Goldjupiter. Every two years, EWM presents a "Physics of Welding" award, together with prize money of 30,000 euros. This prize is intended to support research projects by young scientists, which should lead to a deeper understanding of arc welding processes.
In recent years, EWM has also worked with around 30 universities on research projects and has supported education and training. This includes financial support for scientific assistants, final year projects and dissertations. The company is also involved in national and federal state "Young people weld" (Jugend schweißt) competitions, in local associations, in kindergartens, schools and community facilities. "Being active in the community is a fixed part of our company culture and will remain so," underlined Szczesny, who received the prize on behalf of the company management and staff.