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Norbert Rethmann was presented with the ‘Großer Preis der Wirtschaft’ business award by the ‘Unternehmerverband Norddeutschland Mecklenburg-Schwerin e.V.’ [North German Entrepreneurs Association Mecklenburg-Schwerin] on 13 October. The awards ceremony took place at the historical Schleswig-Holstein-Haus in Schwerin during a reception put on by the ‘Förderverein Welterbe Schwerin e.V.’ [Friends of the World Heritage Site Schwerin] and the Lord Mayor of Schwerin Angelika Gramkow.
In this special setting, Norbert Rethmann was honoured for his extraordinary entrepreneurial skills as well as for uniting entrepreneurial success with social responsibility. He was awarded this prize for his outstanding achievements – for transforming his father’s firm with a workforce of 28 employees into the RETHMANN Group and its three divisions, REMONDIS, Rhenus and SARIA, within just 40 years. Together, these three companies currently employ 66,000 people all around the globe.
In his speech, the president of the Entrepreneurs Association, Rolf Paukstat, praised Norbert Rethmann describing to the many guests from the worlds of business, politics and administration how, despite the pressures of running his own company, he had taken on social responsibility very early on. He continued his good work in the 90s when he moved home to live in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Here, Norbert Rethmann helped to develop rural infrastructure as well as to rebuild and modernise a large number of buildings and other important structures. His hands-on attitude and his close ties to the community were reflected in the ten years he held the position of honorary mayor in the small district of Kobrow near Sternberg in the west of Mecklenburg.
“Mr Rethmann’s level of dedication towards the community has been extremely impressive with him taking over cultural and social responsibility.”
Rolf Paukstat, President of ‘Unternehmerverband Norddeutschland Mecklenburg-Schwerin e.V.’
Mr Rethmann’s level of dedication towards the community had, the Entrepreneurs Association pointed out, been extremely impressive with him taking over cultural and social responsibility as well as promoting the economy in the west of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This all made him a most worthy winner of the ‘Großer Preis der Wirtschaft’ business award. Norbert Rethmann’s current role as chairman of the ‘Förderverein Welterbe Schwerin e.V.’ shows that there are still many tasks that he is happy to take on to support his local community.
Rolf Paukstat, President of ‘Unternehmerverband Norddeutschland Mecklenburg-Schwerin e.V.’ (left), and his deputy, Detlef Els (right,) handing over the award to Norbert Rethmann, Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the RETHMANN Group