The auditing and consulting company Ernst & Young (EY) awarded Thomas Herrmann, chairman of the management board of Herrmann Ultraschall, the prize as “Entrepreneur of the Year 2021.” With the award in the category “Innovation,” the jury acknowledged his creativity and commitment as an entrepreneur.

“This award belongs to the global Herrmann Ultraschall team. My thanks go to all 600 colleagues,” said a delighted Herrmann on the evening of the award ceremony. With the title of Entrepreneur of the Year, he received one of the most prestigious awards for entrepreneurial excellence worldwide. The award, which was presented by EY for the 25th time, honors entrepreneurship and personal commitment in the German SME sector.

Herrmann Ultraschall impressed the jury with its pioneering spirit, which has repeatedly produced innovative quantum leaps in ultrasonic welding. With a strategic focus on internationalization and modern personnel development, Herrmann has given the company an essential boost. Above all, Herrmann Ultraschall’s Why, Bonding – More than Materials, should be emphasized. It’s not just about bonding materials, but also about strong connections between people, according to the laudatory speech by jury member Natalie Mekelburger (Coroplast Fritz Müller GmbH & Co. KG), who presented the award in Berlin on Nov. 4.

A total of 36 entrepreneurs reached the finals this year. An independent jury of experts selected the winners in the categories “family business,” “innovation,” “sustainability” and “young companies.” The evaluation criteria included the sustainability of the business model, innovation, transformation, employee management and social responsibility.

Herrmann, who studied mechanical engineering, took over global management in 2007 from his father Walter, who founded the company in 1961. Prior to that, he had built up the first big subsidiary in the U.S. With him, global employee numbers and sales have quadrupled. This is also thanks to the major intercompany cultural change, the “Culture Journey,” which he initiated at the beginning of 2017. In the meantime, the company has become the global technology leader in ultrasonic welding with 26 locations in 20 countries.