A total of 364 companies entered the competition for the TOP 100 seal, with 257 notching up success in three size categories (a maximum 100 per size category). The enterprises convinced innovation researcher Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke and his team and subsequently received the award. "The innovation successes of the TOP 100 are highly significant," as Franke, the competition’s scientific director, emphasized, adding that the winning companies are systematically geared towards the ability to innovate. “Their innovation successes demonstrate the positive effects of a good climate of innovation and innovation-oriented structures and methods,” as the scientific director went on to explain.

The TOP 100 companies were subjected to some 120 testing criteria. The enterprises detailed e.g. how they organise innovation processes within the company, how they structure employees’ working environment in order to spur their creativity, as well as which innovation strategies they pursue.

“We’re very pleased with the award, which demonstrates HARTING’s outstanding innovative capabilities. Drawing on these strengths, we are helping companies and people to achieve success in their markets with our products and services,” Gunter Galtz, Managing Director Development HARTING Electric, underlined.