If there is one thing Germany can count on, it is the numerous family-run companies that continue to thrive even in challenging times. One of these is undoubtedly igus from Cologne. The family business started in 1964 with plastic components such as plain bearings and energy chains for industry, but is constantly opening up new and promising business areas, most recently low-cost robotics. This agility is one of the reasons why igus is in the final of the globally renowned “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025” competition. According to organizer Ernst & Young, this makes the company one of the best owner-managed companies in Germany that are shaping the future with confidence.

Technically superior, economically advantageous, ecologically sound

The US company Ernst & Young is one of the Big Four accounting firms. The “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year” competition, with which the company has been honoring outstanding entrepreneurial achievements since 1986, enjoys a correspondingly high reputation worldwide. The competition is now established in 58 countries. In Germany, it is taking place for the 29th time. As one of 20 companies, igus is in the final this year. “Our vision is to create a world without lubrication – with durable, maintenance-free plastics for movement that are CO2-neutral, produce no waste, and offer our customers the simplest collaboration: technically better, economically more favorable, ecologically sensible,” says igus Managing Director Frank Blase. “Reaching the finals of ‘EY Entrepreneur Of The Year’ confirms that we are on the right track with our start-up mentality and our annually growing number of plastic innovations.” The winners will be announced on November 6 at the Wappenhalle in Munich.

Customer focus as the key to success

With more than 5,200 employees and annual sales of over €1 billion, igus is one of Germany's most successful family-owned companies. The company plans to more than double its customer base and sales by 2030. To achieve this, it develops over 200 new products and services every year. According to Frank Blase, one of the reasons for this success is the company's ability to actively listen to its customers. “As an entrepreneur, I learned early on and the hard way that the focus of strategic orientation should not be on one's own success, but on the success of the customer.” As a good listener, igus has developed thousands of specialized products over the years, including networked and digitized plain bearings and energy chains made of lubricant-free high-performance plastics for industry, satellites, space stations, and solar systems. As a corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free alternative to classic metal counterparts, these products have the potential to make customers' applications more economical and thus more successful.Low-cost robotics is another of the company's newer business areas. With its ReBeL articulated arm robot, igus has created a cobot made of high-performance plastic that is designed to give small and medium-sized businesses a simple and cost-effective entry into automation. “At a price of €4,970, it is one of the few robots from Germany that can compete with China,” explains Frank Blase.

Sustainability as a key strategic goal

However, igus is not concerned with growth at any price. The company pursues sustainability and the transition to a CO2-neutral and waste-free plastics industry as a key strategic goal. To this end, igus is establishing closed loops, for example through take-back and recycling programs and products with recycled content. A symbolic milestone on this path is the igus:bike, a lubricant-free and rust-free bicycle for urban mobility. It is made almost entirely of plastic and currently contains around 50 percent recycled material, including plastic waste such as discarded fishing nets. In addition, igus considers it important to anchor sustainability culturally and economically. The company promotes talent, diversity, and innovation through trainee programs, dual study programs, internal start-up platforms, and international cooperation.