A dynamic duo: Dr. Hartel and Dr. Buske
The owners of 350 medium-sized enterprises entered the competition to be named "entrepreneur of the year 2005". From these participants 80 reached the final, among them our Executive Board Directors Dr. Robert Hartel and Dr. Andreas Buske. The experts on the competition jury, particularly praised Dr. Hartel and Dr. Buske for their focused innovation, which has not only returned Zwiesel Kristallglas AG to profit but also placed it on a sustainable growth curve.
The competition "entrepreneur of the year 2005" is active in almost 40 countries around the world. In Germany the competition is in its ninth year. The initiator and main sponsor of the competition is the accountancy Ernst & Young. Other notable sponsors include the Deutsche Bank, SAP, BMW, the managers' magazine and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The competition seeks to identify the best leadership personalities and teams among medium-sized companies in Germany.
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Dr. Andreas Buske member of Zwiesel Kristallglas AG’s executive board Dr. Robert Hartel member of Zwiesel Kristallglas AG’s executive board |
Innovation, ability and future potential
Once the 350 entrants to the competition “Entrepreneur of the year 2005” had been whittled down to 80 contenders, an independent jury took a closer look at each finalist. Each review involved several hours of personal interviews with the board directors and MD, and the generation of specialised reports by external experts to enable a more detailed appreciation of each contender. The key criteria the panel assesses are the ability to innovate, the ability to develop the business, the future business potential, the overall entrepreneurial performance and the orientation of the employees.
Leadership from crisis to success
Although they were not among the five winners out of the 80 finalists in 2005, Dr. Robert Hartel and Dr. Andreas Buske were singled out for particular praise. At a formal gala evening at the old opera house in Frankfurt, the prize-winners were honoured during the explanation for the award. Dr. Robert Hartel and Dr. Andreas Buske were recognised for “having led the renowned producer of crystal glass Zwiesel Kristallglas AG, formerly Schott Zwiesel AG, out of an externally triggered crisis into profit and sustainable growth within three years”. Dr. Hartel and Dr. Buske responded that the fact they were at the gala evening, demonstrated they had made the correct assessment in 2001.
"We knew the business would turnaround if we had a consistent focus on its core competences in crystal glass production, reinforced by investment in new technologies from beyond our standard business sector”, said Dr. Robert Hartel. “This focused innovation has enabled the company to develop clear brands and to differentiate its products in the marketplace,” said Dr. Andreas Buske. “So we have strongly enhanced the market leadership of our brand Schott Zwiesel in the wine glass segment; while introducing a new brand Zwiesel 1872 to compete more effectively in the hand crafted, upper market segment”.
The panel recognised the two brand strategy, behind Zwiesel Kristallglas, which has been developed out of a long tradition of expertise in glass production, and the company’s “unique strengths in innovation”. Stating this had provided an excellent example of how leadership in technology, combined with strategic itellect and creativity can lead to economic success. After all the Schott Zwiesel brand is today a global market leader in the 4 to 6 star hotel market and among leading restaurants. It has also become a valued partner to many global businesses. While the new Zwiesel 1872 brand has created a modern, vibrant and appealing way to present the 130 years of traditional glass making experience cultivated in Zwiesel.
The company’s clear commitment to its region, demonstrated most recently by a change in the company’s name to Zwiesel Kristallglas AG, has helped to inspire confidence and preserve competence among the company`s employees. Creating a flexible and committed workforce to build the business in the future.
Enhancing the pioneer role while safeguarding jobs
Dr Buske commented, “It fills us with pride to be among the finalists of ‘entrepreneur of the 2005’. However, we are aware that this achievement has been enabled by the commitment and dedication of our employees. It is only when every employee is engaged in our strategy that we can cultivate our strength in innovation. Dr. Robert Hartel added, " Zwiesel Kristallglas AG will continue to advance its position as a leader in innovation with the production of drinking glasses. Moreover we will continuously act to improve our technical leadership as this is the key to securing our employee`s jobs in the longer term."
The Competition Jury for "entrepreneur of 2005" consisted of: Lothar Späth (Prime Minister retd., Chairman of Management at Merrill Lynch Management GmbH), Bernd Gottschalk (President of the Association of the Motor Industry VDA), Bernd W. Wirtz (Chair of Information and Communication Management of the German University for Management Sciences, Speyer), Ann-Kristin Achsleitner (foundation chair of Entrepreneurial Finance TU Munich), Peter Milling (Director Industry Seminars at the University of Mannheim) Dietmar Müller-Elmau (Managing Director of Castle Elmau) Loretta Würtenberger (Partner, Blue Corporate Finance, Mitbegründerin Webmiles AG).