For the opening of our Innovation Factory, the ENTREPRENEUR 4.0 AWARD was presented for the first time. Manfred Wittenstein created this Art Prize in partnership with the immagis photo agency.

The ENTREPRENEUR 4.0 AWARD is all about increasing corporate responsibility in the context of the "4th industrial revolution". It is conceived as a platform for broad, interdisciplinary discourse on the duties of business leaders in a world undergoing massive changes.

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"Industry 4.0 affects all of us, the whole of society. That is why it is important to experience how artists see us business people. So we don't develop tunnel vision."

Manfred Wittenstein, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of WITTENSTEIN SE

Under the chairmanship of Oliviero Toscani, an eminent panel of judges chose from among 30 nominated artists.

This image cycle by winner Sascha Weidner draws on the Japanese tradition of celebrating the beauty of blooming springtime trees with a cherry blossom festival.
The artist explains his works as follows:

"As nature is constantly reforming, renewing and altering itself in all manner of occurrences, it can serve as an exemplary model for industry: reshaping itself in convergences and interconnections, blooming in its full beauty, passing away to pay tribute to new conditions, so the cycle of natural evolution is accompanied by industrial processes."

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For his "Zirkel 1" series, he visited places that few people visit and that have a unique esthetic: slaughterhouses, anonymous sex clubs, sperm banks or crematoriums. In these places, he explores the correlation between the archaic in people and their increasing urge for mechanization and optimization. About his work, Gehbauer says:

"How we live, reproduce, consume and die shows who we are, where we are the times we live in."

Additional works

Selected works from the ENTREPRENEUR 4.0 AWARD photo competition are now on view at the Innovation Factory. The exhibition design ties in with the architecture of our mechatronics center, providing unusual insights into and visions of the future of industry.

Our principle of openness also applies to our exhibition. Admission is free. And one and all are welcome. To arrange a visit, please contact us by e-mail: veranstaltung@wittenstein.de

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Every year since 1996, the WITTENSTEIN Institute has honored a high-school graduate from Deutschorden-Gymnasium Bad Mergentheim for excellence in the natural sciences. The scholarship winner receives monthly financial support for his or her studies. The institute's mission is to strengthen the next generation of scientists and engineers in the region and stem the decline in engineering student numbers.

The Jugendtechnikschule Taubertal provides children, teenagers and young adults with fascinating insights into the realm of technology. Engineering concepts are made tangible in a variety of workshops, courses and projects which help the next generation deepen their knowledge and develop their inventive spirit. The Centre invites those taking part to discover new worlds and gain a better understanding of complex technologies. An interest in modern science, engineering and IT disciplines is aroused and encouraged in the long term. WITTENSTEIN plays an active role in this joint initiative, which brings together numerous local partners.

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At the annual Girls’ Day, WITTENSTEIN invites interested female students to learn about training opportunities and careers in the IT and technology fields. For this event, we focus on communicating the material in the most exciting and engaging way possible. No wonder there is always such a great public interest.

We have built a playground next to our urban production site in Fellbach, which our local neighbors enjoy using. In line with our products, the playground equipment reflects the themes of gears and motion.

In 2002, WITTENSTEIN created a new inventor competition entitled "Creative Thinkers". Its aim is to awaken the spirit of invention and discovery in young people. Moreover, we can also gain insights into our business and reinforce the spirit of innovation and growth potential in our region.


To this end, competition serves as a platform to implement ideas: Throughout the entire creation process, the young inventors receive guidance from experts to help develop their designs into functional models. Some of the inventions have even been registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office.

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In 2002, WITTENSTEIN created a new inventor competition entitled "Creative Thinkers". Its aim is to awaken the spirit of invention and discovery in young people. Moreover, we can also gain insights into our business and reinforce the spirit of innovation and growth potential in our region.


To this end, competition serves as a platform to implement ideas: Throughout the entire creation process, the young inventors receive guidance from experts to help develop their designs into functional models. Some of the inventions have even been registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office.

We support our employees in their leisure activities. Their activities range from sports, culture and training to youth and voluntary work.

We have demonstrated our commitment to our home town of Igersheim and provide support in the form associations, kindergartens, various events, etc.

We are involved in funding an endowed professorship for the International Business Administration degree program in Bad Mergentheim. The professorship is primarily intended for our new Industrial Marketing profile.