AWARDED!

CEO Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel will be honored with the Ernst Abbe Award 2021.

In addition to the entrepreneurial personality, the special services of the award winner to the science and technology location Thuringia are also assessed by the competition sponsors.

„Being the youngest award winner touches me deeply. At the same time, I am highly motivated with a touch of humility to continue to think and act as an innovative entrepreneur with social commitment in the spirit of Ernst Abbe's historic personality.“

For 15 years, Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel has been managing and steering the fortunes of Micro-Hybrid Electronic GmbH, which Werner Baumgärtel spun off from Keramische Werke Hermsdorf in 1992 together with Karl Wisspeintner and Micro-Epsilon.

"I manage this company with passion and athe spirit of innovation. I appreciate my own creative freedom and the opportunity to develop and implement complex projects together with the various teams of experts. It is the dedicated and unique people that make Micro-Hybrid so exceptionally great.“

The native Thuringian attaches great importance to Micro-Hybrid further strengthening its position as an attractive employer in Thuringia and making a contribution to improving the way people live and work in the region. We have already received several awards for the targeted and intensive promotion of young talent among our specialists.

The company's growth is reflected in permanently rising economic figures. Since he joined the management, sales have quadrupled, equity has increased fivefold and the balance sheet total has increased tenfold. Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel has considerably increased the complexity of the organization: there are 4 subsidiaries, including a chip production facility in the USA and a service company in China. Cross-functional teams now work together internationally.

In addition to his entrepreneurial commitment, Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel is excellently networked locally, regionally and internationally. As Vice President of the East Thuringia Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Gera, he is particularly interested in the exchange with companies and their representation of interests. For him, appreciation of entrepreneurship means first and foremost appreciation of the manufacturing industry, because that is where the value creation takes place.

Dr. Baumgärtel and Peter Höhe standing in front of the IHK Ostthüringen building in Gera

„With his clear focus on the future potential of the East Thuringian economy and as the head of a technology company, he represents the positions and demands of our Chamber of Industry and Commerce vis-à-vis politicians - authentically, objectively and convincingly.“

Peter Höhne, Chief Executive Officer IHK Ostthüringen zu Gera

As a member of the supervisory board of the CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik GmbH and the company's participation in selected research and pre-development projects, Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel has been very keen on networking with the best regional institutes, research facilities and companies in Thuringia, Germany and Europe for years.

With regard to the social commitment of Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel, the promotion of active and attractive life in the region should be emphasized above all. In addition to extensive donations to charitable institutions, support for sports clubs and athletes in particular plays an extraordinary role.

Dr. Baumgärtel and kindergarten children stand in front of the soccer goal donated by him

Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel is himself a sports enthusiast and from this he draws the clarity and structure for challenging everyday decisions. Furthermore, the small and large adventures as a private pilot open up new perspectives for him.

„My fascination for flying is unbroken. The moment before take-off on the runway, flying above the clouds or a grass landing are exemplary moments of happiness.“

There are even more reasons that contributed to the nominees' submission of the proposal for the Ernst Abbe Award. We as a company, as well as many personal associates, are proud of the selection of the competition sponsors for this year's Ernst Abbe Award for Innovative Entrepreneurship.

"We are pleased to award this year's prize to Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel, a Thuringian entrepreneur who embodies the ideals of innovative, social and sustainable entrepreneurship. He developed Micro-Hybrid Electronic GmbH into a sought-after supplier of high technology "Made in Thuringia" and, as a successful entrepreneur and appealing employer, is a role model for future generations of entrepreneurs."

Wolfgang Tiefensee, Thuringian Minister for Economy, Science and Digital Society

The award will be presented to Dr. Knuth Baumgärtel at the ceremony honoring the winners of the Thuringia Innovation Award on November 24 in the Weimarhalle. We will of course be there and report on our social media channels on site.