"Through our innovation strategy, we are securing our position as world market leader in the field of gripping and laying technology. And the Probst team is not only thinking about innovative products," explains Eric Wilhelm, Managing Director of the Probst Group.
In recent years, the Swabian medium-sized company with a corporate history spanning more than 60 years has taken innovative paths in a wide variety of areas. This has now been recognized with the TOP 100 Innovator Seal 2023. For almost three decades, the TOP 100 innovation competition has brought together Germany's most innovative SMEs from all sectors and industries. The top innovators are determined by independent, scientific benchmarking
"All of us at Probst are very proud of this," says Martin Bäuerle, who is responsible for the two production sites near Stuttgart and near Jena. "Innovation in production means breaking new ground." For example, his employees work closely with several workshops for the disabled. One employee of the workshops has found her job at the Probst plant. This shows that social sustainability is lived at Probst.
But the products that Probst manufactures are also becoming more sustainable: Numerous innovative machines that are emission-free, low-noise and electric have come onto the market in recent years.
Incidentally, by participating in reforestation projects in South America, Probst has already had the certified seal as a "climate-neutral company" since 2020. The apprentices have also contributed to achieving Probst's climate goal with a sustainability project.
The hidden champion in gripping and laying technology lives its corporate motto "making hard work easier". In doing so, Probst employees are always close to the customer, whether on the construction site or in the concrete plant, to make hard work easier there. "Innovative product solutions emerge from the dialog with our target group," explains Richard Gärtner, Head of Development at Probst, adding "You can recognize the Probst will to innovate in our products."
And to ensure that innovations are not only successful in the German and European markets, Probst has grown internationally in recent years. New subsidiaries have been established in America, Asia and Australia. "Each market has its own requirements for our product portfolio, sales processes and employee retention," knows Holger Merholz, Head of Sales. "Probst also sees these challenges as an opportunity to innovatively change existing structures in its core markets."
On June 23, all the top innovators of 2023 will come together in Augsburg for the award ceremony at the German SME Summit. Science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar will personally congratulate Probst GmbH on this success. Yogeshwar accompanies the TOP 100 innovation competition as a mentor.