RK named a Finalist
for the 2026
“Großer Preis des Mittelstandes”

INSIDE RK

An Evening
to Remember

From 4,842 nominations to the final list of honorees: REINHOLD KELLER is among the finalists in the “Großer Preis des Mittelstandes 2026.”

On September 26, 2026, Christopher Bauer, Managing Partner, accepted the Finalist Award during the gala in Würzburg. A moment of pride that means far more to us than this one evening. Behind this recognition are many years of shared effort and, above all, the people who move REINHOLD KELLER forward every day with passion, expertise, and strong commitment.

WHAT THE “GROSSER PREIS DES MITTELSTANDES” IS ALL ABOUT

The “Großer Preis des Mittelstandes,” a German business award for small and medium-sized enterprises, has been presented by the Oskar-Patzelt Foundation since 1994. Through this competition, the foundation highlights medium-sized companies and their contributions to the economy, employment, and their regions.

The award is not based solely on revenue or growth. Instead, it considers the overall performance of a company. Five areas are included in the evaluation: overall development, the creation and preservation of jobs and apprenticeship positions, modernization and innovation, regional engagement, as well as service, customer focus, and marketing.

The 32nd year of the competition is being held in 2026 under the motto “TRUST CREATES OPPORTUNITIES.” The Oskar-Patzelt Foundation operates on a voluntary basis and is privately funded. More than 200 individuals contribute to its committees, juries, and regional service offices. In addition to companies, the foundation also recognizes municipalities and financial institutions that are committed to supporting small and medium-sized businesses.

FROM NOMINATION TO THE JURY LIST

From the initial nomination to the awards ceremony, participants go through several selection stages. After being nominated, they submit documentation covering the five competition criteria. Companies that meet these requirements advance to the jury stage and are then evaluated by one of twelve regional juries.

This year, there were 4,842 nominations nationwide from companies, municipalities, and banks. 473 of them advanced to the jury list. From this group, the juries ultimately select the award winners and finalists in their respective competition regions.

AWARD PRESENTATION IN WÜRZBURG

For REINHOLD KELLER, this process led all the way to the final list of honorees. In Würzburg, we were proud to accept the Finalist Award and celebrate a special moment in our anniversary year.

“I am very pleased about this recognition. When I look at how REINHOLD KELLER has developed over the past decades and what our #TEAMRK accomplishes every day, it makes me proud. Behind our company are people who take action, assume responsibility, and make a real difference with their ideas. We are also supported by customers, partners, and suppliers who, in many cases, have worked with us for many years and continue to place their trust in us. For me, this Finalist Award is above all a recognition of everyone who is part of this journey,” says Christopher Bauer.

Großer Preis des Mittelstandes 2026, Gruppenbild, REINHOLD KELLER

150 YEARS AND STILL MOVING FORWARD AT FULL SPEED

In 1876, we started as a joinery business in Bürgstadt. Today, more than 500 employees work together for customers around the world. At our headquarters in Kleinheubach, we are currently making substantial investments in the future of our production site. New spaces are being created, our machinery is being expanded, and our processes are being adapted step by step.

For us, the Finalist Award is therefore not only a meaningful acknowledgment of what has already been achieved. It comes at a time when we are already working intensively on the next steps.

An award like this ultimately represents more than just a company name. Above all, it stands for our #TEAMRK, which gives its best every day, supports one another, and works together to find solutions. Our customers, partners, and suppliers are just as much a part of this success. For that, we say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! We would also like to thank the Oskar-Patzelt Foundation, the jury, and everyone involved for this recognition and for an evening in Würzburg that we will remember for a long time.