Wiha again honoured with the TOP 100 Award
The innovative work of Wiha Werkzeuge GmbH from Schonach has once again impressed the jury of the 2025 TOP 100 competition. This is the fourth time that the hand tool manufacturer has been honoured with the TOP 100 award. This award is only granted to particularly innovative SMEs . On 27 June, company representatives will be personally honoured for these achievements by the patron of the competition, science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar.
The TOP 100 is based on a scientific selection process led by innovation researcher Dr Nikolaus Franke. Commissioned by compamedia, the organiser of the competition, he and his team evaluated the innovative strength of the participants on the basis of more than 100 test criteria, which were divided into five categories: innovation-promoting top management, innovation culture, innovative processes and organisation, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success. At its core, the TOP 100 evaluation is about whether innovations are the result of structured innovation management within the companies – or whether they happen by chance (the test criteria can be viewed at www.top100.de/pruefkriterien). “Innovation means acting instead of reacting,” says Franke. “It means actively shaping the future instead of hoping that things will stay the same.”
For the fourth time, Wiha is now one of the top innovators in the SME sector. As one of the leading international manufacturers of hand tools and a provider of sophisticated product ranges, the company continues to develop groundbreaking products for professionals in industry and trade. Whether it’s electric screwdrivers that revolutionise traditional manual tightening, tool backpacks and cases that offer a new level of customisation, or a digital documentation app for the smart electrician, Wiha is committed to sophisticated solutions that make everyday work easier and more efficient.
Wilhelm Hahn, Managing Director at Wiha, explains: “For us, innovation means not only developing new products, but also questioning the status quo, boldly breaking new ground and constantly evolving. This mentality is deeply rooted in our corporate culture – it is evident in every department, in every team, and is actively encouraged. A key aspect of this is direct interaction with our user base, particularly electricians and specialists in the field. Their feedback is more valuable to us than any theoretical considerations, as it helps us to develop solutions that really make a difference in everyday life. The fact that our ability to innovate has once again been recognised confirms our approach: not innovation for innovation’s sake, but real progress that supports craftsmen in their daily work, streamlines processes and opens up new possibilities. This award is a collective success – and an incentive to keep moving forward with passion, creativity and an open mind for our customers’ needs.”
To give all participants an equal chance, the TOP 100 Award is always presented in three categories: companies with up to 50 employees, 51 to 200 employees and more than 200 employees. A maximum of 100 companies can be awarded per category. On 27 June, all the top innovators of 2025 will come together at the Rheingoldhalle in Mainz for the awards ceremony as part of the German SME Summit. Ranga Yogeshwar will be there to personally congratulate the award winners.
About Wiha
Wiha is among the world’s leading manufacturers of hand tools, user-oriented sets, cleverly conceived transport solutions and digital tools. Established in 1939 as a small family-run business, today Wiha has grown into an internationally networked global player with subsidiaries around the world. With personal courage and wisdom, Wilhelm Hahn is continuing the sustainable company development strategy in the third generation. At the company headquarters in Schonach, Germany, he is taking Wiha to a powerful future based on the values of responsibility, respect and integrity. Professionals from the electrical or industrial sectors have for decades relied on their collaboration with Wiha – just like our specialist trade partners and ambitious DIY enthusiasts. Based on the motto of “Tools that work for you”, Wiha creates an offer portfolio that is distinguished by its functionality, ergonomics, safety and sustainability. Frequent and regular awards for innovation, design and branding from competitions such as the “TOP 100 innovation award”, “iF Design Award” and “Red Dot Award” are proof of this aspiration.
For the fourth time, Wiha is now one of the top innovators in the SME sector. As one of the leading international manufacturers of hand tools and a provider of sophisticated product ranges, the company continues to develop groundbreaking products for professionals in industry and trade. Whether it’s electric screwdrivers that revolutionise traditional manual tightening, tool backpacks and cases that offer a new level of customisation, or a digital documentation app for the smart electrician, Wiha is committed to sophisticated solutions that make everyday work easier and more efficient.
Wilhelm Hahn, Managing Director at Wiha, explains: “For us, innovation means not only developing new products, but also questioning the status quo, boldly breaking new ground and constantly evolving. This mentality is deeply rooted in our corporate culture – it is evident in every department, in every team, and is actively encouraged. A key aspect of this is direct interaction with our user base, particularly electricians and specialists in the field. Their feedback is more valuable to us than any theoretical considerations, as it helps us to develop solutions that really make a difference in everyday life. The fact that our ability to innovate has once again been recognised confirms our approach: not innovation for innovation’s sake, but real progress that supports craftsmen in their daily work, streamlines processes and opens up new possibilities. This award is a collective success – and an incentive to keep moving forward with passion, creativity and an open mind for our customers’ needs.”
To give all participants an equal chance, the TOP 100 Award is always presented in three categories: companies with up to 50 employees, 51 to 200 employees and more than 200 employees. A maximum of 100 companies can be awarded per category. On 27 June, all the top innovators of 2025 will come together at the Rheingoldhalle in Mainz for the awards ceremony as part of the German SME Summit. Ranga Yogeshwar will be there to personally congratulate the award winners.
About Wiha
Wiha is among the world’s leading manufacturers of hand tools, user-oriented sets, cleverly conceived transport solutions and digital tools. Established in 1939 as a small family-run business, today Wiha has grown into an internationally networked global player with subsidiaries around the world. With personal courage and wisdom, Wilhelm Hahn is continuing the sustainable company development strategy in the third generation. At the company headquarters in Schonach, Germany, he is taking Wiha to a powerful future based on the values of responsibility, respect and integrity. Professionals from the electrical or industrial sectors have for decades relied on their collaboration with Wiha – just like our specialist trade partners and ambitious DIY enthusiasts. Based on the motto of “Tools that work for you”, Wiha creates an offer portfolio that is distinguished by its functionality, ergonomics, safety and sustainability. Frequent and regular awards for innovation, design and branding from competitions such as the “TOP 100 innovation award”, “iF Design Award” and “Red Dot Award” are proof of this aspiration.