Geberit Group

The Geberit Group, the European market leader in sanitary technology, was awarded the prize in the Growth category. Citing the company's excellent development over the past years, jury member Rolf Dörig praised the company as "an example of how investments into the core business can yield excellent results, if you do it right." Since 2001 the company has achieved an average annual growth rate of 13%.

Stadler Rail

Stadler Rail took home the prize for small- and medium-sized enterprises in this category. Walter Frey, jury member and CEO of the Emil Frey AG, underlined the importance of a visionary CEO in achieving outstanding performance. Specialist rail manufacturer's CEO Peter Spuhler was responsible for achieving an annual sales growth of 37% by sticking to the traditional SME approach of offering quality goods at moderate prices. The company's achievements were all the more impressive given the difficult economic climate it operated in, Frey said.

SIKA AG

In awarding this prize, the jury was won over by the impressive European presence of specialist chemical manufacturer, SIKA AG. The leader in processing materials used in reinforcing and protecting load-bearing structures in construction and industry has 23 of ist 55 global production sites in Europe. More than half of its 11,000 employees work on the continent. Jury member René Lüchinger praised the company as a "success story for innovation and high-tech products."

Holcim

Grand Prix winner Holcim also took home the prize in the category Mergers & Acquisitions. By buying up the UK's Aggregate Industries in early 2005 and buying into India's second-largest cement producer The Associated Cement Company (ACC), Holcim was able to strengthen one of its core businesses and gain access to new markets. The jury also praised the company's decision to invest in India's most profitable cement group, Gujarat Ambuja Cements in early 2006, which puts Holcim on firm footing on the sub-continent.