Founder of internetstores in the Finals of the Competition “Entrepreneur of the Year 2009”
Overall, 300 mid-size companies were nominated this year for the prestigious award. “It is a strong field of competitors,” says Wolfgang Glautner, organizer and project manager of the competition. “The companies exhibit clear double-digit growth rates and themselves create jobs during a downturn.” From the 77 finalists, a jury of recognized industry experts now selects the “Entrepreneurs of the Year 2009” in the five categories of industry, trade, services, information and communication technology/media as well as start-up. They will be announced on October 2 at the Old Opera House in Frankfurt before distinguished guests.
The finalists deliver innovative offerings for the market in their respective industries. In 2008, they earned about eight billion Euros in sales. “On average, they grew by 22 percent,” Glautner said. “This is remarkable, since a majority operate in mature sectors of industry with strong competition." Opportunities follow from growth: The 77 companies employ 38,000 people and established in the past year alone about 5,000 new jobs.
Similarly, the 27-year-old René Marius Köhler was also able to increase sales by 83 percent from financial year 2006/07 to 2007/08. Internetstores AG generated sales of around 22 million Euros in financial year 2007/08. “In recent years we have brought many projects on track and successfully implemented them. Beginning with the re-launch of the web presences of fahrrad.de and fitness.de, to a massive expansion of our online product range, to an expansion of our distribution channels, to name a few examples," Köhler founded the growth of his e-commerce company.
The company CEO sees the many customer services of his online shops fahrrad.de and fitness.de as another important factor in the company's success: Independent product reviews, product videos and an expert team of consultants provide, among others, answers to customer questions. “The huge commitment of our employees is no doubt crucial for the positive development of internetstores AG,” says Köhler.
The companies selected for the finale come from twelve states: There are 18 of the high-growth companies in Bavaria, 15 at home in Baden-Württemberg. Twelve companies come from Hesse, eight from North Rhine-Westphalia and seven from the Rhineland Palatinate. Eleven are located in the new states and Berlin, with three in Saarland and Hamburg.
“SME companies drive the economy, but people are behind the economic success unknown to most,” said Glautner. To recognize and reward excellence, Ernst & Young organized the competition “Entrepreneur of the Year.” Participants progress through a sophisticated multi-level selection process to the awards ceremony. An independent jury of scientists and entrepreneurs ultimately selected a winner for each category.
The independent jury consists of the following individuals:
- Prof. Dr. h.c. Lothar Späth, former Primer Minister, Senior Advisor Merrill Lynch
- Prof. Dr. Eng. Habil. Prof. e.h. mult. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of the Fraunhofer Society
- Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz, President of the ZEW Center for European Economic Research GmbH
- Dr. Patrick Adenauer, President of the Consortium – ASU e.V.
- Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. August-Wilhelm Scheer, Founder of IDS Scheer AG
- Bettina Würth, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Würth Group, Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG
- Dr. Loretta Würtenberger, Partner at Fine Art Equity GmbH & Co. KG
