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This year's “Business Day” of the city of Schlitz in the Kulturhalle in Hahnekiez was a complete success. The highlight was the awarding of the “Schlitzer Company of the Year 2026” award.
Schlitz – The event was in cooperation with of VR Verbundbank eG Lauterbach-Schlitz and once again offered companies from Schlitzerland a platform for exchange, networking and new impulses. In his opening speech, Mayor Heiko Siemon (CDU) welcomed everyone present – including District Administrator Dr. Jens Mischak (CDU) and Norbert Lautenschläger, representatives of VR VerbundBank eG Lauterbach-Schlitz. Her welcoming speech was followed by the inspiring keynote speech by Ralf Kluth, lecturer at the Hasso Plattner Institute.
Kluth opened our eyes to a future in which artificial intelligence is much more than just a buzzword. The topic was “AI in the trades,” and Kluth impressively demonstrated the opportunities and perspectives that open up when companies integrate modern technologies into their everyday lives.
For the first time, Schlitz awards prizes to Company of the Year
In his contribution, he gave exciting insights into current developments in the field of artificial intelligence, highlighted their effects on everyday life and showed perspectives for the future. Kluth’s first query “Who works with AI and with which provider?” showed that the Schlitz companies are already dealing intensively with the topic and are already applying AI in various areas.
Kluth showed what other possibilities AI offers in the trades using various practical examples from everyday life. His gaze moved from theoretical potential to concrete examples that showed how processes can be made more efficient, how sources of error can be reduced and how new business models can be developed if AI is used sensibly.
The The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the entrepreneur award “Schlitzer Company of the Year 2026”. With this award, the city is recognizing for the first time the special entrepreneurial commitment and sustainable achievements of regionally rooted, sustainable and socially responsible companies in Schlitzerland. Siemon emphasized: “We want to make our employers visible. Because hand on heart – how often do we drive past company premises every day without really knowing what is created, accomplished and moved behind these walls? Now we are bringing exactly that into the spotlight. We are putting companies in the shop window that shape our region, create jobs and take on responsibility.”
Ten applicants applied; Four had withdrawn despite great potential, while the remaining candidates were assessed in a fair, transparent process. The independent jury – consisting of representatives from the city administration, local politics as well as the savings bank and the Volksbank – defined criteria that look beyond short-term success: economic success, innovative strength, commitment to training, digitalization and voluntary commitment.
The companies Metzendorf Schlitz GmbH & Co. KG, Peiker + Heil Elektrotechnik GmbH,preisedörfer Antriebstechnik GmbH, CC Bäuml GmbH and Schlitzerlandei (Hedtrich Gbr) as well as Thomas Ziegler tax consultants were up for election.
Third place, endowed with 500 euros, was shared by Schlitzerlandei and Preisdörfer. Schlitzerlandei is a small but well-known family business that offers its quality eggs in vending machines with other regional products. Preisdörfer, a family business that has existed for 30 years, specializes in transmissions and axles – characterized by a good climate and flat hierarchies.
Second place and prize money of 1,000 euros went to the construction company Metzendorf. A company that is in its eleventh generation building gas stations all over Germany and is an important employer and training company.
The winner and therefore Schlitzer Company 2026 is the company CC Bäuml. CC Bäuml transports a variety of goods, including machines, construction and bridge elements, transformer stations and wind turbines, both in Germany and across Europe. All companies also volunteer in the region and support numerous clubs and charitable institutions.
Heiko Siemon explained that the goal is to establish the award as a permanent prize – as a visible sign of gratitude to the companies that shape Schlitzerland economically and humanly.
The evening once again made it clear how important the exchange between business, trade and the community is in order to actively shape the future of our city together. It offered an opportunity for valuable exchange, new impulses and strong networks. (By Annette Windus)
