ZKB SME Award for Sustainable Companies: The finalists have been determined

Zürcher Kantonalbank has awarded the ZKB SME Prize for sustainable companies for the ninth time, with a total prize money of CHF 150,000. The five winners were honored at the award ceremony on February 1, 2018 in the Umwelt Arena Schweiz in Spreitenbach in front of more than 500 invited guests from business, science and politics.

The top prize in 2018 was won by Hector Egger Holzbau AG from Langenthal (BE). Acryline AG from Oberglatt (ZH) came in second, and third place went to Strüby Holding AG from Seewen (SZ). The special prize for exemplary small companies was won by Lindauer AG from Steinen (SZ). The special prize for exceptional performance was awarded to Äss-Bar GmbH from Zurich.

Exemplary SME

Around 80 applications were received. From these, eight finalists were then awarded prizes. Five of them were honored as award winners. The jury assessed current and forward-looking aspects from the fields of business, society, management and the environment.

The following eight finalists have been nominated for the ZKB SME Award 2018 (in alphabetical order):

• Acryline AG, Oberglatt (ZH)
• Äss-Bar GmbH, Zurich (ZH)
• Hector Egger Holzbau AG, Langenthal (BE)
• Hug Baustoffe AG, Nänikon (ZH)
• Kernser Edelpilze GmbH, Kerns (OW)
• Lindauer AG, Steinen (SZ)
• Strüby Holding AG, Seewen (SZ)
• Tuwag Immobilien AG, Wädenswil (ZH)

First place for Hector Egger Holzbau AG
The main prize this year was won by Hector Egger Holzbau AG from Langenthal (BE), which specializes in high-tech timber and element construction. Founded in 1848 by Samuel Rudolf Hector Egger, the company has been run by owner Paul Schär as Hector Egger Holzbau AG since 2001 and is characterized by a high level of innovation and a broad-based understanding of sustainability. Jury president Bruno Dobler explained the decision:

"Hector Egger Holzbau AG is a regionally and locally deeply anchored family business. The high and balanced level in all dimensions of sustainability, the cultural commitment and especially the extraordinary innovative strength impressed the jury and persuaded us to award Hector Egger Holzbau AG this year's main prize of the ZKB SME Award."

Silver and bronze go to Acryline AG and Strüby Holding AG
The second place was achieved by Acryline AG, a leading company in the processing plastic and acrylic glass industry
with headquarters and production in Oberglatt near Zurich. State-of-the-art technology and a quarter of a century of experience make the company, founded in 1989 by Thomas Cahak, an important leader in industry and advertising.

In its statement, the jury emphasized that Acryline AG had achieved an excellent position in plastics and advertising technology over the past 29 years. Investments in new technologies, the responsible use of plastics as a resource and the reduction of environmental pollution, but also the prudent treatment of employees had been convincing.

Third place went to the Swiss architecture and timber construction company Strüby Holding AG from Seewen (SZ). The company has developed from a timber construction company into a total service provider. Environmental efficiency is a top priority throughout the business process. In addition, the use of new technologies, high environmental standards and tangible innovative strength tipped the scales for the jury.

The jury is made up of representatives of Zürcher Kantonalbank, the partners CCRS (Center for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability) and öbu (Association for Sustainable Business), as well as well-known SME representatives. Prizes are awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make an outstanding contribution to sustainable development as part of their entrepreneurial activities.

www.zkb.ch/kmupreis