Stefan Messer received the “Prize for family-run companies” from the international consultancy and accountancy firm Ernst & Young in Berlin on November 7th.
The prize was awarded as part of the “Entrepreneur of the Year” competition, which each year acknowledges entrepreneurial excellence in different categories.
“The entrepreneur saved the company his family founded in 1898 from imminent insolvency and repositioned the provider of industrial gases for international business. The jury was assured by the future potential – the international footprint with a broad product portfolio – as well as entrepreneurial achievement such as the taking back of the shares into family ownership. In addition, the practising of social entrepreneurship as an statement of responsible, sustainable behaviour,” reasoned the laudator, Peter Englisch from Ernst & Young, the decision of the independent jury. Stefan Messer received his award at a celebratory ceremony attended by well-known guests from politics and business, as well as his family.
First and foremost, his struggle to keep Messer going is acknowledged. In the publication regarding the award, it says, “In 2001, Goldman Sachs and Allianz Capital Partners take over the shares of the highly indebted company from Hoechst. Messer restructures the company with their help – and buys the shares held by the financial investors three years later for almost 1.4 billion euros.
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