For 30 years, the TOP 100 innovation competition has recognized the most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany. With the latest award, GKD is now also among them. In the scientific selection process, GKD impressed in size class C (more than 200 employees), particularly in the “Innovation Success” category. GKD was also recognized as a Business Model Champion. At the German SME Summit at Kongress am Park in Augsburg, Ranga Yogeshwar personally congratulated the top innovators on this success. Lara Kufferath, who leads the company as a member of the fourth generation of the executive board, said: “We are very pleased with the award. For us, this seal is a beautiful confirmation of our continuous innovation work. The award is deserved by all employees because everyone constantly contributes to the development of progressive ideas.”

In addition to its worldwide production facilities, GKD operates in-house laboratories where metal, plastic, and technical fiber fabrics for industry and architecture are developed and tested. GKD also works closely with research institutions such as the Technical University of Berlin and collaborates with science and politics to drive practical innovation. Currently, this is happening, for example, within the scope of the “Reifenabrieb in der Umwelt” (RAU) project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which aims to reduce microplastics in the environment. The project is in line with GKD’s corporate vision: “FOR A HEALTHIER, CLEANER, SAFER WORLD.”

“We want to contribute to making the world healthier, cleaner, and safer,” says Executive Board member Dr. Stephan Kufferath. Especially in future areas such as green hydrogen, e-mobility, or microplastic filtration, GKD conducts intensive development work. The jury was able to determine that GKD has a strong culture of innovation among its workforce.