WMV impresses with its innovative strength
We are overjoyed and proud. We have won awards in two categories of the competition for the most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. WMV has earned special recognition in the categories of “Innovation Climate” and “Innovative Processes and Organization.” On June 27, 2025, we will be personally honored for our innovative spirit by the award’s mentor, science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar.
Barbro and Martin Müller
Why this particular prize?
Awards have never been a priority at WMV. This award suited us from the very first moment, as it makes our innovative strength visible and positions us as a future-oriented, dynamic company. In contrast to other awards, this award is based on a demanding, multi-stage selection process. Only companies that successfully pass this rigorous evaluation and benchmarking process are awarded the prize. Participation was free of charge for us – only the use of the seal and accompanying marketing measures incur optional fees. We were particularly impressed by the sound methodology behind the award and the independent assessment by experts from the worlds of business, science, media and politics. What particularly appealed to us about this award was finding out where we stand with our innovation process and what opportunities arise for our further development.
The competition
For the selection process, we had to answer a very extensive list of questions. This was then evaluated under the direction of innovation researcher Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke using more than 100 test criteria from 5 categories: Innovation-promoting top management, innovation climate, innovative processes and organization, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success. The intensive examination of the in-depth questions of the selection process impressively demonstrated to us how deeply innovation is anchored in our corporate culture. The award as TOP 100 Innovator in the categories “Climate of Innovation” and “Innovative Processes and Organization” confirms our strategic orientation. Why?
Excellent climate for innovation: innovation is in our DNA
Because continuous development and improvement are at the heart of our corporate strategy. This applies not only to our surface treatment solutions and systems.This applies not only to our surface treatment solutions and systems. But for all processes and how we work together within the organization. Our approach is networked, interdisciplinary, open, and innovation-driven. This allows us to create an environment that fosters creative ideas and provides all employees with the optimal conditions to develop forward-looking solutions: Every employee can approach a trusted partner with an idea—even beyond their own department. Decision-making processes are short and dynamic.
This trusted partner does not necessarily have to be the head of department. As part of the digital and ecological transformation, we have realized that traditional thinking and working only within one’s own department is no longer expedient. Today, all areas and processes are increasingly interlinked. That’s why we work in a 360° network. This has been very well received by our colleagues. More and more of them are getting actively involved. This is also reflected in the consistently high level of participation in our annual Employee Strategy Day – a strong sign of interest in our innovation process and the further development of the company.
“‘Fail to success’ defines our mindset as a management team: We’re not afraid to fail. Every step, no matter how small, and every little improvement moves us forward and makes us better.”
Martin Müller, CEO WMV
Excellent processes and organization: transparency and routines along the process chain
Because we go our own way. Over the course of decades, we have developed our own ERP system. Here, too, employees have had—and continue to have—the opportunity to contribute their own ideas. We take a solution-oriented approach, and thanks to our autonomy in IT, we can quickly integrate our ideas into the systems. This makes us flexible and independent. Above all, however, the clearly defined rules and routines within the system help us create complete transparency throughout the process chains: From the initial inquiry to delivery, all parties involved are visible. Continuous project monitoring takes place across all processes. Everyone is held equally accountable and contributes to the project’s success: a win-win for everyone.
“Our goal is to successfully complete a job as a team. The mix of transparency and routines motivates everyone in the team to give their best for the project.”
Martin Müller, CEO WMV
TOP 100 Innovator 2025: A strong signal internally and externally
The joy of receiving this award, especially in this year in which we are celebrating our 55th company anniversary and our brand relaunch, is overwhelming – the TOP 100 Innovator seal confirms our continuous commitment to solution-oriented thinking and action. This is precisely what makes not only each and every one of our employees successful, but also our customers worldwide: our innovative strength enables us to grow with the challenges and actively shape the future.