Nabaltec AG recognized as an innovator and quality employer

- Nabaltec numbers among the "Top 100" for the eighth time in 2015;

- Nabaltec receives the "Top Job" award for the fourth time.

Schwandorf, 29 June 2015 - Nabaltec AG combines innovative thinking and exemplary qualities as an employer and therefore received a double award on 26 June at the German SME Summit (Deutscher Mittelstands-Summit) in Essen. Nabaltec was one of just four companies to be recognized in both the "Top 100" and "Top Job" competitions, both renowned distinctions, in recognition of the fact that it is not only one of the most innovative German mid-sized companies, but one of the best employers as well.

This is the eighth time that Nabaltec has been awarded the "Top 100" prize for its exemplary innovation management. The prize is awarded based on a scientific analysis conducted by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. This year, the number of applications was the highest ever: out of 302 companies qualifying, 234 made it to the final round and 178 of them received the "Top 100" award, in three different size categories (with a maximum of 100 companies per size category).

"We place great value on implementing innovation projects without large amounts of bureaucracy and on encouraging our managers to constantly think outside the box," explained Johannes Heckmann, Member of the Board of Nabaltec AG. We therefore run regular strategy workshops at management level, where external speakers provide input and new megatrends are discussed. The company's 417 employees are delighted by its new process-oriented focus and increased security in selecting innovation projects. But Nabaltec also scores points with its innovation marketing. "We always want to offer our customers a special cost-benefit advantage," explained Gerhard Witzany, Member of the Board of Nabaltec AG. "This is why we focus quite specifically on our customers' needs when developing products."

This year's "Top Job" distinction represents the fourth time that Nabaltec has been recognized as a top employer in the category of German mid-sized companies. For the "Top Job" award, the Institute for Leadership and Human Resource Management at the University of St. Gallen examined 98 applicants, of which 82 were awarded the quality seal.

This year Nabaltec performed especially well in the Family Awareness & Demography category, as the company uses 30 different working time models in order to allow its employees to work flexibly even in case of life changes. The company's concept also includes long-term working time accounts and sabbaticals. Nabaltec has also set up an exemplary health management system in recent years, with routine company health awareness days and a works agreement on the topic of addiction. In addition, older employees have the option of gradually reducing their shift workloads. And there is no need for anyone to be anxious about occupational incapacity, as the company has taken out insurance cover for every employee.

Johannes Heckmann: "This double award is fantastic and a great honor for us. It shows us that innovation is mainly the result of having committed employees. We would therefore like to thank each and every one of them for making this twin success possible. We will of course also use the results of the analyses for our HR work and innovations management - so that we can become even better."

The Top 100 competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the Top 100 seal of approval to SMEs with particular innovative capacity and above-average success rates for innovations. This project has been coordinated by Professor Nikolaus Franke from the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business since 2002. Professor Franke is one of the world's leading experts in the field of user innovation. The Top 100 is mentored by journalist and television presenter Ranga Yogeshwar, and organised in partnership with the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research. manager magazin provides media support for the company benchmarking competition. Further information is available at www.top100.de.

The Top Job corporate benchmarking study
The Top Job seal of approval for exemplary HR practices in the SME sector has been awarded since 2002 and was one of the first such schemes to be launched. The benchmarking study is academically overseen and managed by Professor Heike Bruch and her team at the Institute for Leadership and Human Resource Management at the University of St. Gallen. Patron of the competition is Wolfgang Clement, Germany's former Minister of Economics and Labour. The recruitment website cleverheads.eu and HR trade fairs Personal2015 Süd and Zukunft Personal 2015 are partner organisations. Going forward, the benchmarking of employers will be carried out by the former compamedia director Silke Masurat through her company, zeag GmbH - Centre for Employer Attractiveness in Constance. Further information is available at www.topjob.de.

compamedia - mentor to Germany's top SMEs
compamedia GmbH, which was founded in 1993 and employs 15 people, organises the nationwide company benchmarking competitions Top 100 (since 1993) and Top Consultant (since 2010). The company collaborates with prestigious universities on these projects.

About Nabaltec AG:
Nabaltec AG, with registered office in Schwandorf, a chemicals business which has received multiple awards for innovativeness, manufactures, develops and distributes highly specialized products based on aluminum hydroxide ("ATH") and aluminum oxide, as well as other raw materials, on an industrial scale through its "Functional Fillers" and "Technical Ceramics" divisions. The company's product range includes halogen-free flame retardant fillers and eco-friendly additives for the plastics industry. Flame retardant fillers are used e.g. in cables in tunnels, airports, high-rise buildings and electronic devices, while additives replace stabilizers containing heavy metals in PVC processing. Nabaltecalso produces base materials for use in technical ceramics, the refractory industry and catalysis. Unlike halogenated flame retardant fillers, the products manufactured by the company's "Functional Fillers" division contain no hazardous substances and do not require separate disposal. Rather, the company's flame retardant fillers actually decrease the development of fumes hazardous to human health and the environment in the event of fire. Nabaltec maintains production sites in Germany and the US and plans to continue to consolidate its market position by expanding capacity, further optimizing processes and quality and making strategic extensions to its product range. On the strength of its specialty products, the company strives to attain the market leadership in each segment.

Contact "Top 100":
Marina Fuchs
Nabaltec AG
Phone: +49 9431 53-205
Fax: +49 9431 53-203
E-mail: InvestorRelations@nabaltec.de

Frank Ostermair
Better Orange IR & HV AG
Phone: +49 89 8896906-14
Fax: +49 89 8896906-66
E-mail: frank.ostermair@better-orange.de
 

Contact "Top Job":
Paul Altmann
Nabaltec AG
Phone: +49 9431 53-209
Fax: +49 9431 53-210
E-mail: PAltmann@nabaltec.de

Frank Ostermair
Better Orange IR & HV AG
Phone: +49 89 8896906-14
Fax: +49 89 8896906-66
E-mail: frank.ostermair@better-orange.de