Antje Eckel, founder of the company, is thrilled – and the whole team with her: Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition has just been voted one of the most innovative Mittelstand companies in Germany, as the TOP 100 seal of approval the company has now been awarded attests. The TOP 100 Innovator award is based on a scientific selection process and only awarded to particularly innovative SMEs.
In the course of the assessment by innovation researcher Prof. Nikolaus Franke (Vienna University of Economics and Business) and his team, Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition demonstrated its innovative capabilities based on more than 100 criteria in five categories: top management that promotes innovation, innovation climate, innovative processes and organisation, an outward-looking approach and open innovation, and success in innovation. The central question is: Are a company’s innovations just a product of chance or are they systematically planned and consequently replicable in the future?
At Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition, innovation has been one of the company’s guiding principles from the outset. The hidden champion from northern Rhineland‑Palatinate, which was established by Dr Antje Eckel in 1994, has earned a worldwide reputation in its sector for its innovative feed additives for livestock and aquaculture. This while always remaining true to its founding values of innovation, excellence and responsibility towards people, animals and the environment. The interdisciplinary team comprises people from the most diverse industrial sectors and countries. High professionals from Asia to South America contribute significantly to the energy and innovative capabilities that go into creating innovative products and sustainable success for the company’s international customers.
Dr. Eckel has already received many awards for its activities, including the Stifterverband’s ‘Innovative through Research’ seal of approval. For CEO Antje Eckel, the fact that Dr. Eckel has now been named a TOP Innovator is an especially welcome tribute to the work of her entire team. “Our dynamism and bold ideas give us the all-important innovative edge to hold our own in a global market. This can only be done with a team that is flexible and agile, and embraces change. I am extremely pleased about this great award for all of us.”
The TOP 100 seal of approval is awarded to companies in three categories: up to 50 employees, 51 to 200 employees and over 200 employees. Awards are distributed to a maximum of 100 companies per category. On 23 June, all the 2023 top innovators will meet for the award ceremony at the German Mittelstand Summit in Augsburg.