Schmitz Cargobull’s box body production plant in Vreden has been named as the overall winner of the renowned Manufacturing Excellence Award 2017.

The presenter Professor Thomas Wimmer (from BVL, the German Logistics Association) presented Andreas Schmitz (CEO of Schmitz Cargobull AG) and Michael Timmermann (Head of the Box Body Vehicles division at Schmitz Cargobull AG) and the promoter Björn Biermann (Board of Management at DMG Mori AG, from left) with the MX Award 2017.

“This prize is an incredible recognition for our entire team,” said Michael Timmermann/head of the Schmitz Cargobull production plant in Vreden in response to the win.

Clearly structured processes, a consistent focus on the customer, qualified staff and a holistic approach are key factors in the success of industrial production. The MX Award was launched in 2004 and is presented to companies who use innovative and creative solutions to promote Germany as a centre for business and international competition over the long term. Supported by the Berlin Technical University, academics at and under the patronage of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs, this year’s competition also featured a huge number of benchmark companies. Representing the 2,000 or so employees at the Vreden plant, Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Schmitz Cargobull, and Michael Timmermann, head of the Vreden factory, accepted the award and certificate at the prize ceremony in Berlin.

The primary goal of the Manufacturing Excellence concept is to promote multi-sector collaboration to create a network of communication for experts from the worlds of theory and practice. Innovative and creative solutions, especially as a holistic approach, are not only a means to reinforcing international competitiveness over the long term but also Germany as a location to do business.

“The Schmitz Cargobull factory in Vreden showcases excellence in all areas, setting new benchmarks with its ability to improve. Despite a very successful market performance, it still makes sure it casts a critical eye over every area,” praised the jury.

The comprehensive audit process covered a total of 16 categories and the feedback from the experts provide new findings on the factory’s path to even greater production excellence. Andreas Schmitz: “The team spirit, active participation processes and the awareness of the need to consistently improve production processes are thriving at the Vreden factory.”

This is the third time that Schmitz Cargobull has participated in the MX award. In addition to this year’s overall win, the Vreden plant (2013) and Altenberge (2014) plant have both won an award in the category “Process innovation”.

Schmitz Cargobull

About the Author: John Loughran