On 28th August 2017, the futureSAX innovation conference took place at the Festspielhaus Hellerau in Dresden with over 500 attendees from industry, science and politics. The event was brought to a glorious closure by handing over the Innovation Prize of the Free State of Saxony to Blema by the minister for economics Martin Dulig. The CEO and owner Uwe Leonhardt as well as his sales managers Reimar Frieß and René Zettwitz represented the company during the festive ceremony.

The company was honoured for the establishment of a business model that is considered as unique in Europe with respect to the manufacturing of highly complex, customised packaging machines. Moreover, the judges praised the innovative development of the company since 1996 as a whole. Combining technical competence and entrepreneurship, BLEMA possesses the expertise to manufacture complete lines for sustainable cardboard packaging. This true core capability renders our company as market leader considering complete production lines for the manufacturing of cardboard cans and therefore, strategic sustainability.

For us, innovation means technological leadership and necessitates entrepreneurial behaviour. One key design aspect is the constant aim to decrease material cost, which in turn, is our share for an ecological balance. We actively face economic and technological challenges and persistently try to exploit change as opportunity. In order to develop new markets, a sole organic growth is not always feasible hence requiring the purchase and transfer of novel technology in an intelligent manner. In turn, this strategy strengthens our local Saxon roots while at the same time allows for international corporate activities.

We would like to express our highest gratitude to the futureSAX-jury for awarding us with this honourable prize. Of course, we would like to extend our thank you to the Federal Ministry for Economics, Labour and Transport, our long-term partners responsible for technology funding, and minister Dulig as patron of the Innovation Prize. Finally, we wish to thank all our costumers and employees who made possible our success. We take this award with great pride essentially epitomising a recognition of your daily performance as integral part of our company.