Last Friday, Messrs. Schmalz was honoured as an exemplary company as part of the competition "Shaping employment - companies demonstrate responsibility". Wolfgang Schmalz, managing director of J. Schmalz GmbH, received the best wishes of Federal Minister Franz Müntefering and was visibly pleased about the nomination of his medium-sized company in the category "creation and stabilisation of employment".

The organizers of the competition, the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs and the "Initiative for employment", praised the job-creation activities of the company and its high ratio of trainees (12% of the staff). Various innovative actions, such as the flexible working-hours model, with which Schmalz ensures secure jobs, were also commended. "The concepts and projects with which the 14 nominated companies strive to provide training and employment in their regions are impressive. These companies are representatives of the many who don't simply complain, but take the initiative and help others", said the Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, Franz Müntefering. "We need more such companies who show that new jobs are possible and that growth has a good chance. Courage will pay for itself."

With 161 entries from companies in all branches and federal states, the competition, which was held for the second time in May 2005, was very popular. A jury of 16 persons, headed by Dr. Gunter Thielen, selected the nominated companies from these 161 entries.